BC Driver’s Licence Guide 2026: L, N and Class 5 Explained

British Columbia issues licences through a Graduated Licensing Program (GLP). You start with a Class 7L learner's licence, move to a Class 7N novice licence, and finally reach a full Class 5. The whole path takes a minimum of three years, and the only written exam in it is the ICBC knowledge test.

What changed in 2026

Two changes matter if you are starting now, and most guides online have not caught up with either:

• The knowledge test moved online on June 9, 2026. Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 applicants can now write it from home on a desktop or laptop with a webcam, instead of going to a driver licensing office. Commercial classes 1 to 4 are still in person only.
• From October 19, 2026, the second road test is replaced by a Driving Record Assessment. Instead of booking a Class 5 road test, your driving record is reviewed. If you are under 25 you need 24 months of clean driving in the N stage, or 18 months if you finish an ICBC-approved GLP course.

The three stages at a glance

Stage	How you get it	Minimum time held
Class 7L (learner)	Pass the knowledge test and a vision screening	12 months
Class 7N (novice)	Pass the Class 7 road test	24 months, or 18 with an approved GLP course
Class 5 (full)	Driving Record Assessment (road test before Oct 19, 2026)	—

The ICBC knowledge test

This is the exam our question bank is built for. The format is the same online and in person:

• 50 multiple-choice questions, and you need 40 correct — 80% — to pass.
• $15 per attempt. Fees are set by the provincial Motor Vehicle Fees Regulation, not by ICBC.
• 45 minutes in a single session if you write it online.
• Offered in 12 languages, so you can write it in Chinese if you prefer.
• Your result is valid for one year.

Questions come from the ICBC Learn to Drive Smart guide and cover road signs, right-of-way, speed and following distance, parking rules, impaired driving penalties, and the GLP restrictions themselves. Expect several questions about the L and N rules listed below — people routinely lose marks there because they study signs and skip the licensing rules.

Writing it online

To be eligible you must be a BC resident, at least 16, physically located in Canada or the United States when you write, and not disqualified from online testing. After you register you have 72 hours to start. Passing online does not make you licensed — you still have to visit a driver licensing office to show two pieces of accepted ID, pass the vision screening, have your photo taken, and pay the licence fee, which is separate from the $15 test fee. If you are under 19, bring a parent or guardian consent form signed in original ink, or have them sign it there.

Class 7L restrictions

• Display an L sign on the back of the vehicle.
• Zero blood alcohol and no drugs.
• A supervisor aged 25 or older holding a valid full licence must be in the front passenger seat.
• No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.
• No more passengers than there are seatbelts.
• No electronic devices at all — hands-free included.

Class 7N restrictions

• Display an N sign.
• Zero blood alcohol.
• One passenger only, unless they are immediate family or you have a supervisor aged 25 or older with you.
• No electronic devices, hands-free included.

A single violation resets your clock: a driving prohibition during the N stage restarts the 24-month clean-record requirement, which is the most common reason people take four or five years to reach a full licence.

Fees

Item	Fee
Knowledge test (each attempt)	$15
Class 7 road test	$35
Class 5 road test	$50
Missed test surcharge	+$25

The licence card itself is billed separately and depends on the term you choose. Always confirm current amounts before you pay.

Common questions

Can I skip the knowledge test if I already hold a licence?

If you hold a licence from a jurisdiction with a reciprocal agreement, you may be able to exchange it without testing. Otherwise you write the knowledge test like any new applicant, though your driving experience may shorten the GLP stages. See our guide for drivers arriving with a foreign licence.

How many times can I retake the knowledge test?

There is no cap, but each attempt costs $15 again, and repeated online disqualifications can push you back to in-person testing.

How long should I study?

Most people who pass on the first try work through the official guide once, then practise until they consistently score above 90% on mixed question sets. Scoring exactly 80% in practice is too close to the line, because the real test draws questions you have not seen.

Official sources

• ICBC — Get your L
• ICBC — Take the online knowledge test
• B.C. Motor Vehicle Fees Regulation