Which B.C. GLP rules apply before and after October 19, 2026?

Use this decision guide to separate the rules in force through October 18, 2026 from the new Learner, Novice, Driving Record Assessment and restricted Class 5 sequence that starts October 19.

British Columbia's Graduated Licensing Program starts with a supervised Class 7L Learner stage. Passing the Class 7 road test leads to a Class 7 Novice licence, which may be driven without a supervisor but carries novice restrictions.

The date matters. Through October 18, 2026, an eligible Novice driver takes a second road test to obtain an unrestricted Class 5 licence. From October 19, that second road test is replaced by a Driving Record Assessment, and an eligible driver first receives a Class 5 licence with restriction 55 for 12 compliant months.

The time figures below are statutory minimums, not promised completion dates. Prohibitions, suspensions or specified convictions can restart a qualifying period, while appointment and licence-processing time can make the real path longer.

Decision 1: Will you leave the N stage before October 19?

If you are eligible and take the Class 5 road test before October 19, the current model applies: passing produces an unrestricted Class 5 licence. If your second road-test appointment is scheduled to occur on or after October 19, ICBC says it will cancel the appointment, email you and provide next steps. From that date, use the DRA path instead.

  • Through October 18: Class 7L -> Class 7 road test -> Class 7N -> Class 5 road test -> unrestricted Class 5
  • From October 19: Class 7L -> Class 7 road test -> Class 7N -> DRA criteria check -> Class 5 with restriction 55 -> Class 5 without restriction 55
  • A one-time automatic upgrade on October 19 applies only to Class 7 drivers ICBC confirms are eligible; follow the ICBC letter rather than assuming an automatic upgrade

Rules through October 18: the complete Class 7L stage

A person may apply for an L at age 16. Under the current model, an applicant under 19 needs parent or legal-guardian consent. After passing the knowledge and vision tests, the Learner must wait at least 12 months before taking the Class 7 road test.

  • Drive only with a qualified supervisor age 25 or older who holds a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 licence and sits beside you in the front passenger seat
  • Carry no more than one passenger in addition to the supervisor
  • Display the red L sign on the rear of the vehicle
  • Have zero alcohol and zero drugs in your blood while driving
  • Do not use a cellphone or other electronic device, including hands-free devices, except to call 911 in an emergency
  • Do not drive between midnight and 5 a.m.

Rules through October 18: the Class 7N stage and exit test

Passing the Class 7 road test moves a Learner into the Novice stage. The current minimum is 24 months without a driving prohibition, or 18 months for someone who qualifies for the approved-GLP-course reduction. An eligible Novice driver can then take the Class 5 road test; ICBC currently lists a $35 Class 7 road-test fee and a $50 Class 5 road-test fee, separate from licence fees.

  • Display the green N sign on the rear of the vehicle
  • Have zero alcohol and zero drugs in your blood while driving
  • Do not use a cellphone or other electronic device, including hands-free devices, except to call 911 in an emergency
  • Carry only one passenger unless all additional passengers are immediate family or a qualified supervisor age 25 or older with a valid Class 1-5 licence is seated beside you
  • The Novice may drive alone; the supervisor exception changes the passenger limit rather than making supervision mandatory

Decision 2: minimum path from October 19, 2026

The new model retains the Class 7 road test but replaces the second road test with a DRA and adds a 12-month restricted Class 5 period. These totals assume each transition happens as soon as eligible, no qualifying period restarts and the driver meets every condition; they exclude time before the L is issued and administrative or appointment delays.

  • Under 25 without the course reduction: 12 months L + 24 months N + 12 months restricted Class 5 = 48 months minimum
  • Under 25 with a qualifying approved-course reduction: 12 months L + 18 months N + 12 months restricted Class 5 = 42 months minimum
  • Age 25 or older under the new age-based rules: 9 months L + 12 months N + 12 months restricted Class 5 = 33 months minimum

What changes for L and N drivers on October 19

The core zero-alcohol-and-drug and electronic-device prohibitions remain for Class 7 drivers. Other conditions change by age and stage, so do not apply the age-25 rule to every GLP restriction.

  • An L driver age 25 or older has a 9-month minimum; the under-25 L minimum remains 12 months
  • The minimum qualified-supervisor age becomes 22, but the supervisor must hold a Class 5 without restriction 55 and be legally able to drive
  • An L driver may carry more than one passenger when every passenger other than the supervisor is immediate family
  • The N-sign and one-passenger restrictions apply only to Class 7 drivers under 25; a Class 7 driver age 25 or older remains subject to zero alcohol and drugs and the new-driver electronic-device prohibition
  • Parent or legal-guardian consent is required only for applicants under 18, rather than under 19

How the Driving Record Assessment works

The DRA is an ICBC review of whether a Class 7 driver meets published record and experience criteria; it is not an in-car test and should not be described as something a driver passes. From October 19, an eligible driver visits a driver licensing office to request the upgrade.

  • Required non-Learner driving: 24 months if under 25, 18 months if under 25 and eligible for the approved-course reduction, or 12 months if age 25 or older
  • That period must not be interrupted by specified driving prohibitions or suspensions
  • The period must not include a conviction for excessive speeding under Motor Vehicle Act section 148 or prohibited electronic-device use under section 214.2
  • Relevant Criminal Code driving sanctions also disqualify the period under the regulation
  • If a disqualifying event occurs, the required clean period starts again under the applicable rule; confirm the date shown by ICBC

Restriction 55 after meeting the DRA criteria

The first Class 5 licence issued through the new DRA path carries restriction 55: zero blood alcohol and zero blood drug content while driving. The expiry date appears on the back of the licence and the restriction expires automatically after 12 compliant months. A specified prohibition or suspension during that year restarts the 12-month period from the date the person may lawfully drive again.

Approved GLP course versus ordinary driving lessons

A licensed driving school and an ICBC-approved GLP course are different designations. For a Class 7 passenger-vehicle course, ICBC requires 16 hours of theory, 12 hours of individual on-road instruction and 4 discretionary hours: 32 hours total. To qualify for the possible six-month N-stage reduction, ICBC says the student must complete the approved course from start to finish within 365 days while holding a Class 7L and have no at-fault crashes, driving violations or prohibitions during the first 18 months of the N stage.

  • Ordinary lessons may help a learner practise but do not themselves qualify for the six-month reduction
  • ICBC's general directory lists Shanaya's Driving School for Class 5 and 7 driver training
  • Shanaya's name, phone number and Leigh Road address were not found in ICBC's separate approved-GLP-course list when checked July 21, 2026
  • Do not enrol on the assumption that Shanaya's lessons earn the GLP reduction; verify the specific school and course in ICBC's approved list before paying

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum GLP time from October 19, 2026?

Assuming immediate transitions, no reset and every condition is met: 48 months for a driver under 25, 42 months for an under-25 driver who qualifies for the approved-course reduction, or 33 months under the new age-25-or-older path. Each total includes the final 12 months with Class 5 restriction 55 and excludes appointment, processing and pre-L time.

What is the difference between an L and an N in B.C.?

A Class 7L driver must drive with a qualified supervisor seated beside them and follow the L passenger, sign, midnight-to-5 a.m., zero-alcohol-and-drug and electronic-device rules. A Class 7N driver may drive alone but follows the applicable N sign, passenger, zero-alcohol-and-drug and electronic-device rules.

How many road tests are in the B.C. GLP?

Through October 18, 2026, there are two: a Class 7 road test for the N and a Class 5 road test to exit GLP. From October 19, the Class 7 road test remains, but the second road test is replaced by a DRA criteria check followed by 12 months with Class 5 restriction 55.

Is the Driving Record Assessment another test?

No. It is ICBC's review of whether the driver has the required uninterrupted non-Learner experience and no specified prohibitions, suspensions, excessive-speed conviction, electronic-device conviction or relevant Criminal Code driving sanction during that period.

Do N drivers age 25 or older need an N sign after October 19?

Under the rules effective October 19, the N-sign and one-passenger restrictions apply only to Class 7 drivers under 25. A Class 7 driver age 25 or older still follows the zero-alcohol-and-drug and new-driver electronic-device prohibitions.

What is restriction 55 on the new Class 5 licence?

It requires zero blood alcohol and zero blood drug content while driving for 12 compliant months. It expires automatically, but a specified prohibition or suspension restarts the 12-month period from the date the driver may lawfully drive again.

Do regular lessons qualify for the six-month GLP reduction?

No. The reduction requires a specific ICBC-approved 32-hour Class 7 GLP course and the other eligibility conditions. Shanaya's was listed in ICBC's general driver-training directory, but its name, phone and Leigh Road address were not found in ICBC's separate approved-GLP-course list when checked July 21, 2026.

What happens to a Class 5 road test scheduled for October 19 or later?

ICBC says second-road-test appointments scheduled to occur on or after October 19, 2026 will be cancelled and affected drivers will receive an email with next steps. A one-time automatic upgrade is only for drivers ICBC confirms are eligible; follow your ICBC notice.

What are the current Class 7 and Class 5 road-test fees?

ICBC's fee page listed $35 for a Class 7 road test and $50 for a Class 5 road test when checked July 21, 2026, with licence fees separate. This guide does not state a future DRA fee; check ICBC before your appointment.

Official sources and review note

Prepared by Shanaya's Driving School, an independent driving school. Confirm current licensing requirements with ICBC.

This independent educational summary was checked against ICBC, B.C. government and Order in Council 350/2026 sources. It is not ICBC advice or legal advice; transitional eligibility depends on the individual record, age and ICBC notice, so confirm your own status directly with ICBC.

Information checked: July 21, 2026

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