RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in British Columbia

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

More provinces coming soon.
Car licence, Class 5

Getting your licence in British Columbia

Knowledge test questions50
Pass mark40 correct
Knowledge test fee$15
Class 7 (novice) road test$50
Class 5 (full) road test$50
5-year licence$75

You take 2 road tests: Class 7 to leave the L stage, Class 5 to leave the N stage. The Class 7 test costs $50 from 19 October 2026 ($35 before).

Before you start driving

2
Learner licenceYes. Pass the knowledge and vision tests to get an L licence.
Medical checkNo doctor's exam. ICBC tests your vision.

Required lessons

2
Supervised practiceL drivers drive with a supervisor aged 25+ with a full licence. No set number of hours.
Driver training (optional)An approved course can shorten the N stage by 6 months.

Good to know

8
Minimum age16 for a learner (L) licence. Then at least 12 months on L and 24 months on a novice (N) licence before a full licence.
Licence validity5 years.
Exam languagesKnowledge test in 12 languages, at an ICBC office or online from home with a webcam. Ask ICBC about the road test language when you book.
If you failKnowledge test: retake it and pay $15 again. Road test: book and pay again.
Automatic or manualNo restriction. A licence earned in an automatic covers manual cars too.
New driversL and N signs on the car, and zero alcohol. N drivers can carry only 1 passenger unless a supervisor is with them.
Already have a licence from abroad?Licences from BC's exchange countries are exchanged without tests, with 2+ years of experience. Others pass the knowledge and road tests. See the Abroad tab.
Also worth knowing
  • Read Learn to Drive Smart, ICBC's free guide: the knowledge test is based on it.
  • Take ICBC's free online practice test before the real one.

Step by step

  1. Knowledge and vision testAt an ICBC office: 50 questions, at least 40 correct. Then you get your L licence.
  2. Learner stageAt least 12 months, always with a supervisor.
  3. Class 7 road testPass to get your N licence.
  4. Novice stageAt least 24 months (18 with approved training), with N signs.
  5. Class 5 road testPass to get your full licence.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • Nearly half of ICBC road test candidates don't pass on their first try. A few lessons with an ICBC-approved driving school can make the difference.
  • Bring a safe, legal car. The examiner checks it before you set off, and a defect can cancel the test.
  • Practise parallel parking and reverse stall parking until they feel routine, so they don't add to your nerves.
  • Check your mirrors and blind spots before every lane change and turn, and keep watching the speed limit signs.
  • If anything is unclear, ask before you set off. Examiners won't teach during the test, but they will repeat directions.

Based on: ICBC: Top five tips for passing your road test (2022) ↗

Official links

ICBC: Driver licensing ↗BC Laws: Motor Vehicle Act ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

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Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

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An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

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