British Columbia made several changes to its Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) on October 19, 2026. The changes affect how long some drivers must hold a learner's licence, who may supervise them, passenger restrictions, new-driver signs and zero-tolerance rules for certain Class 5 drivers.
These changes are separate from the replacement of the second road test with a Driving Record Assessment. That change, along with the one-time automatic upgrade available to some Class 7 drivers, is explained in A Driving Record Is Not a Road Test.
Changes to learner licence waiting periods
The minimum learner driving experience required before a Class 7L driver can take the road test now depends on the driver's age:
- Drivers under 25 must accumulate one year of learner driving experience.
- Drivers aged 25 or older must accumulate nine months of learner driving experience.
A Class 8L motorcycle learner must accumulate one year of learner driving experience before becoming eligible for the Class 8 road test, regardless of age.
Who may supervise a learner?
The minimum age for a qualified supervisor accompanying a Class 7L driver has been reduced from 25 to 22. The supervisor must hold a valid driver's licence, other than a learner's or Class 7 licence, that permits them to operate the type of vehicle being driven.
A different rule applies to a person holding a Class 5L licence. If the Class 5L licence was issued before October 19, 2026, the accompanying supervisor must be at least 19 years old. For a Class 5L licence issued on or after that date, the supervisor must be at least 22.
The supervisor must occupy the required seating position, remain awake and be legally able to operate the vehicle. A supervisor who is subject to a zero-tolerance period as a new Class 5 graduate or new resident Class 5 holder cannot act as a supervisor until that period has ended.
Immediate family members and passenger limits
An immediate-family exception has been added to the passenger restrictions for both Class 7L learners and Class 7 novice drivers. The usual passenger limit does not apply to an immediate family member of the driver.
The definition of immediate family member includes a spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or sibling, as well as the corresponding step and foster relationships. For the complete definition, see Q&A – Qualified Supervisor for GLP.
The exception does not remove the requirement for a qualified supervisor when driving with a learner's licence. It also does not allow a driver to carry more passengers than the vehicle is designed or equipped to carry.
The details of the passenger restrictions are explained in Passenger Restriction for Learner Drivers.
When must a new-driver sign be displayed?
The requirement to display a new-driver sign now depends on the licence class and, for Class 7 drivers, the driver's age:
- Class 7L and Class 8L drivers of any age must display the red L sign.
- Class 7 novice drivers under 25 must display the green N sign.
- Class 8 novice drivers of any age must display the green N sign.
- Class 7 novice drivers aged 25 or older are no longer required to display the N sign.
The required sign must be clearly visible and prominently displayed at the rear of the vehicle or trailer. The regulations provide an exception in specified circumstances while a driver is receiving practical instruction from a licensed driving instructor.
Zero tolerance after obtaining a Class 5 licence
A driver who graduates to a Class 5 licence under the revised GLP must observe a zero-tolerance condition for alcohol, cocaine and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This condition applies while operating a motor vehicle under any class of licence, not just Class 5.
The restriction begins on the date the driver graduates to Class 5 and ends after they accumulate 12 months of compliant driving history under a Class 5 licence.
A specified prohibition or suspension interrupts that period. Once the driver is again legally entitled to drive under a valid Class 5 licence, a new 12-month period of compliant driving history must be accumulated.
This is an additional restriction for new Class 5 graduates. It is separate from the zero-alcohol and zero-drug requirements that already apply to learner and novice drivers.
Zero tolerance for some drivers moving to British Columbia
The regulations also establish zero-tolerance periods for certain people who move to British Columbia with driving experience from another jurisdiction and obtain a B.C. Class 5 licence.
The requirements depend on the driver's age and the amount of qualifying driving experience they have when they transfer their licence:
- A driver under 25 who has accumulated at least 24 months of qualifying transfer history must observe zero tolerance until their combined qualifying transfer history and compliant driving history total 36 months.
- A driver aged 25 or older who has accumulated more than 12 months but less than 24 months of qualifying transfer history must observe zero tolerance until their combined qualifying transfer history and compliant driving history total 24 months.
During the applicable period, these drivers must not operate a motor vehicle under any class of licence while having alcohol, cocaine or THC in their body.
A specified prohibition or suspension interrupts the period. Once the driver is again legally entitled to drive under a valid Class 5 licence, they must accumulate a further 12 months of compliant driving history.
These requirements do not apply to every driver arriving in B.C. with an out-of-province Class 5 licence. They apply to the particular age and experience categories set out in the regulations.
Check the rules that apply to your licence
The changes do not affect every GLP driver in the same way. Age, licence class, the date a licence was issued and driving history can all determine which requirements apply. Drivers should check the restrictions on their licence and confirm their individual circumstances with ICBC.
ICBC provides an overview of the changes on its Graduated Licensing Program changes page. The legal amendments are found in B.C. Regulation 134/2026.
- Log in to post comments