DriveSmartBC

Any driver who is the holder of a class 7L (learner) or Class 7 (novice) driver's licence is required, as a conditon of the licence, to visibly display an L or N sign at the rear of their vehicle whenever they are driving. These signs are available free of charge at the place where you obtain or renew your driver's licence, and a temporary L sign or a temporary N sign can be printed with your computer's printer.

A driver that is part of the GLP program cannot legally drive without displaying the appropriate sign. Failing to do so may result in a ticket under section 25(15) MVA (3 penalty points) or 30.13 MVAR (no penalty points) with a ticketed amount of $109.

There is no rule that states that a driver other than one in the GLP cannot display an L or N sign.

A parent/legal guardian is no longer able to withdraw their previously given consent at a Driver Service Center by completing a withdrawal declaration.

If a parent/legal guardian has concerns about the fitness or ability of their child to drive safely, parents/legal guardians are now required to write to the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles (OSMV).

The letter to OSMV requesting withdrawal of consent should contain evidence as to their child's lack of fitness or ability to safely operate a vehicle.

The Superintendent may take action on a minor's driver's licence if it is determined that there are legitimate or satisfactory reasons for doing so. These reasons must relate to the minor's fitness or ability to drive safely (e.g., irresponsible driving or dangerous driving etc.)

Based on the evidence that is presented, OSMV may intervene. This can include warning letters, a requirement to re-test, advising prohibition or a direction to ICBC to cancel the minor's driver's licence.

To request a review of your minor's driver's licence contact:

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 9254 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, B.C., Canada
V8W 9J2

Telephone: (250) 387-7747
Fax: (250) 387-4891

Website Address:
http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/

The schedule to Division 7 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations sets out noise levels from vehicles:

• Light Duty 83 dB
• Heavy Duty Gasoline 88 dB
• Motorcycles 91 dB
• Heavy Duty Diesel 93 dB

These levels are to be tested with a decibel meter in a test facility and are not valid measurements for the roadside. Instead paragraph 27 says that "The opinion of an inspector as to whether the engine and exhaust noise is greater than that made by other vehicles in good condition of comparable size, horsepower, piston displacement or compression ratio shall determine whether exhaust gases are expelled with excessive noise."

Many owners of noisy motorcycles seem to hold the opinion that they must make lots of noise so that other drivers can hear them. This brings the motorcycle to the attention of other drivers and reduces the chance of collision. It's interesting that anti-social behaviour is a justification for road safety!

There is currently no prohibition against importing or operating a right hand drive vehicle on British Columbia highways. ICBC is studying the crash potential of these vehicles and reports do indicate that there is a higher crash risk. References:

The Safety of Right Hand Drive Vehicles in British Columbia
Vehicle Inspection and Standards Bulletin
Mechanical or Electrical Signal Devices Required on Right Hand Drive Vehicles - Section 172(2) MVA

Effective January 1, 2010 British Columbia is implementing rules prohibiting the use of hand held communication devices while driving. Please read www.drivesmartbc.ca/equipment/news-cell-phone-amendment-motor-vehicle-act to learn more.

Tint may be applied to the top 7.5 cm. of the windshield, side windows behind the driver and the rear window if there is an outside mirror on both sides of the vehicle.

Studded tires are allowed to be used between October 1 and April 30 each year.

There is no law to prohibit this in the province.

Points are assessed for convictions according to Division 28 MVAR and ICBC calculates a Driver Penalty Premium based on them.

These lights, and many other kinds such as washer nozzle and tire valve LEDs are considered to be "off road" lights and must be covered with an opaque cover at any time when the vehicle is on the highway, parked or being driven. The only common extra lights that can be added are driving and fog lights.

If your vehicle was manufactured with doors, you must have doors installed when operating your vehicle. It is not enough to state that your model of vehicle could be ordered without doors, you must be able to show that your vehicle was ordered without doors. The correct option code shown on your vehicle's option list sticker is how you would determine this.

Radar detectors may be used legally in this province. Devices that emit radar signals or infrared light in an attempt to counter speed measurement are illegal and could result in criminal charges being brought against the user.

This PDF document contains a comprehensive list of traffic ticket fines. It is about half a megabyte in size.

The Integrated Traffic Camera Unit web site was shut down when the B.C. government shut down the photo radar program. Although red light cameras continue to be used, there is no official web site for information regarding the program. If you have a question to ask, you can call their toll-free information number at 1-800-772-8120 outside of the Lower Mainland or at 604-952-3318 in the Lower Mainland.

Obviously, if the police observe an offence or reasonably expect that the vehicle or occupants have been involved in an offence, the vehicle may be stopped and checked. Otherwise, the police may stop a vehicle at any time to insure that the driver is properly licenced and that the vehicle is roadworthy, properly licenced and insured. Even though it has been ruled a Charter of Rights infringement, police may also operate a roadcheck to stop drinking drivers. The courts have ruled that this infringement is necessary to protect the public.

There is currently no traffic law in BC that explicitly makes this practice illegal. It is not a wise practice however, and a defensive driver would not do so. The music (or podcast) may prevent you from hearing something important or distance you from the task of driving.

Effective January 1, 2010 when using a headset with a hands free cell phone the new legislation says that only one ear may be used, but this does not apply to the operator of a motorcycle.