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Here’s your guide to getting a driver’s license in British Columbia, including the costs of driver’s ed, driving tests, ICBC auto insurance and more.
Getting a driver’s licence is a key life milestone for British Columbians. For many, it represents freedom, independence and convenience. And, in a place with as many provincial parks and scenic drives as B.C., having a driver’s licence makes it easier to explore everything it has to offer. However, the process of getting a driver’s licence in B.C. isn’t always easy, particularly for new drivers and individuals moving to the province from someplace else.
The province’s different licence types, restrictions and tests can be confusing, especially if you’re navigating the process for the first time. The types and costs of driving lessons can also vary wildly between schools, with hourly fees ranging from $75 to $150. Knowing how to choose the right driving school, and where you can save money, can make a big difference.
In this article, we’ll demystify British Columbia’s graduated licencing system, share tips for choosing an affordable driving school, and explain the step-by-step process you need to follow in order to get your B.C. driver’s licence.
British Columbia’s graduated licensing system was introduced in 1998 to help new drivers develop safe driving habits and to improve overall safety on the province’s roads and highways. The idea is simple: start with basic driving skills under the supervision of experienced drivers and then slowly progress to more advanced skills and fewer restrictions. This approach helps reduce the common risks that come with being a new driver.
The graduated licensing program is administered by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), which also certifies the province’s driving schools and provides car insurance to B.C. drivers.
The first step in the graduated licencing system is getting your learner’s permit, also known as your L licence or simply your L. You can take the test to get your L at any ICBC driver licencing office for a $15 fee. This licence comes with several restrictions, however:
To get your L, you need to be at least 16 years old, pass a vision test and pass a test on the rules of the road. This knowledge test is fairly straightforward; it’s a multiple-choice exam of 50 questions, and you need at least 40 correct answers to pass. The test includes questions on common road signs, pavement markings and rules of the road.
To study for the L licence knowledge test, read BC’s Learn to Drive Smart Manual and quiz yourself with online L test simulations.
Once you have your L, you may want to take lessons with a qualified instructor. Typically, driving lessons cost $75 to $150 per hour in British Columbia.
With Kruzee—a driver’s ed startup recently launched in B.C.—you can go online to choose your instructors and book lessons that fit your schedule. Plus, your instructor will pick you up and drop you off at home. Kruzee’s hourly rate is on the lower end of the price range mentioned above; by eliminating large call centres, physical offices and other overhead costs, Kruzee is able to make driver’s ed more affordable for British Columbians.
Once you’ve held your L licence for at least a year, with a clean driving record, the next step in the process is to go for your N licence. The N allows you to drive independently with these restrictions:
To get your N license, you need to pass the Class 7 road test. This can be booked at any ICBC driver licencing office, for a $35 fee.
The Class 7 road test assesses your general driving skills, including turns, mirror checks and residential driving. Essentially, your examiner will be looking to determine if you’re a safe driver who follows the rules of the road. Make sure to signal when necessary, scan the road and maintain the speed limit at all times.
To get ready for your Class 7 road test, consider going to driving school. Many driving schools offer courses specifically tailored to help you get your N, and they understand what you need to know in order to pass the Class 7 road test.
How many driving lessons should you book? That depends on a variety of factors, including your driving experience, whether you have a car to practice with at home, your confidence level, etc. Most students find that 10 to 15 hours of preparation before the road test is sufficient. Typically, Class 7 road test preparation courses cost $900 to $1,500.
The alternative option is to take just a few practice lessons, as needed, to prepare for your road test. This is an especially good option if you have a lot of driving experience and you feel confident about taking the test. The cost for individual driving lessons ranges from $75 to $150 per hour.
If you don’t pass the Class 7 test, you’ll need to wait at least 14 days before retaking the exam.
In B.C., auto insurance is purchased through the ICBC’s broker network. When you have your L, you can’t take out your own auto insurance policy yet, since you can’t drive independently. Instead, you’ll need to be listed as a secondary driver on another policy (say, one of your parents), which typically costs $130 to $230 per year.
Once you get your N, however, and you decide to take out your own auto insurance policy, the costs will increase considerably. New drivers in B.C. who have just earned their N can pay as much as $3,000 per year for their own auto insurance policy—a 10-fold increase of what they paid when they had the L.
The final step in the graduated licencing system is to get your full, unrestricted licence. Once you’ve had your N licence for 24 months with a clean driving record, you can go for your Class 5 road test, which costs $50, at any ICBC licensing office. If you’ve completed a Graduated Licencing Program course from an ICBC-accredited driving school, the wait time decreases from 24 to 18 months.
The Class 5 road test is a slightly more challenging version of the Class 7 road test. At this stage, you’ll be tested on things like turning, changing lanes and parking, in a variety of driving environments. For your Class 5 test, your examiner can take you on the highway, into busy commercial areas and through large intersections.
If you don’t pass the Class 5 test, you’ll need to wait 14 days before you can take the test again.
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Throughout the graduated licencing process, driving school can help you learn the skills you need. The costs and types of driving lessons you’ll need will vary depending on which step of the graduated licencing process you’re at.
Overall, taking lessons with an ICBC-certified driving school can make you a safer driver and increase your chances of passing your road tests on the first try. Safe driving habits are something that you build for life, and investing in driver’s ed early in your licencing journey can pay dividends.
You may hear the term “B.C. driver’s abstract.” Also known as the driving record, this is an official document that covers your driving history. It highlights any infractions, accidents or demerit points accumulated over the past five years.
You can obtain your driver’s abstract online, in person at an ICBC office, or by phone. Typically, driving abstracts are required when applying for a job that involves driving, moving to a new province or country, or seeking an insurance quote. There is no cost to get your driver’s abstract.
Once you have your full licence, you’ll need to get insured. In B.C., car insurance is provided through the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). For new drivers, insurance can cost as much as $3,000 per year.
Your insurance rates will depend on several factors, including the type of licence you hold, your driving experience and your vehicle. As a new driver, your rates may be higher, but they can decrease over time if you maintain a safe driving record. As mentioned earlier, attending driving school unfortunately doesn’t lower insurance rates in B.C., but maintaining a safe driving record, combined with exploring low-kilometre and distance-based discounts, can add up.
Auto insurance in British Columbia can be purchased through any of the ICBC’s 900-plus licenced Autoplan brokers. Once you have insurance and your full, unrestricted licence, you’ll be ready to drive.
This is not advertising nor an advertorial. This is an unpaid article that contains useful and relevant information. It was written by a content partner based on its expertise and edited by MoneySense.
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