If you’ve been carrying an “N” decal on your bumper longer than you care to admit, relief is finally in sight. British Columbia is overhauling its graduated licensing program, and ICBC will soon stop requiring a second road test to obtain a full Class 5 licence. The legislation was introduced in April 2025 and is expected to pass in the coming months. If approved, the changes will take effect in early 2026, with a transition period for current drivers already in the system.

This means big changes for new drivers entering the driver licensing journey, but perhaps even bigger ones for thousands of long-time novice drivers who’ve stalled in the “N” stage. Whether life got in the way or road test wait times made booking impossible, many drivers have remained in licensing limbo for years. Now, with this reform, those drivers may finally be eligible to graduate, with no retest required.

But while the second road test is going away, a new hurdle is replacing it: a 12-month probation period under your full licence, where any serious infraction can send you back to square one.

Let’s break down what’s changing, why it’s happening, and what you need to know, whether you’re just starting with your “L” or hoping to leave your “N” in the rearview mirror.

What’s Changing: From Road Test to Record Check

For the past 25 years, B.C.’s graduated licensing program (GLP) has required two road tests: one to move from Learner (“L”) to Novice (“N”), and another to earn a full Class 5 licence. This second test has been a source of frustration for drivers facing long delays and scheduling backlogs—especially in rural and remote areas.

Under the proposed changes:

• The second road test will be eliminated.
• Drivers will automatically progress from “N” to a full Class 5 licence after completing the required Novice period—without a second test.
• However, new full licence holders will enter a 12-month zero-tolerance probation period. Any ticket involving speeding, alcohol, cannabis, or distracted driving will reset the clock.
• After the 12-month period is completed without infractions, full driving privileges will be granted.

This shift places more weight on real-world driving behaviour than on a one-time test. And that’s by design. According to Solicitor General Garry Begg, the decision is based on research showing that a clean driving record is a stronger predictor of long-term safety than passing an additional exam.

What This Means for Long-Time ‘N’ Drivers

If you’ve held your Novice licence for years without upgrading, this is your chance to move forward, possibly without having to book another test. The legislation includes transition provisions, meaning current “N” drivers who have completed the novice stage may be allowed to graduate into the new probationary Class 5 period once the law comes into effect in 2026.

This could offer real relief to drivers who:

• Have had trouble securing a test due to ICBC delays.
• Failed the second road test and never rebooked.
• Moved to a new area and couldn’t access testing easily.
• Let the second test fall off the radar entirely.

If you’re one of these drivers, the message is clear: keep your record clean, and you may soon get a complete path to a full licence, without revisiting the test center.

How the New Path to Licensing Works

Here’s how the new ICBC licensing timeline will look under the proposed changes:

For Drivers Under 25:

• Step 1: Pass the knowledge test to get your Learner’s (“L”) driver’s licence.
• Step 2: Hold your “L” learner’s licence for 12 months (or 9 with approved driver training).
• Step 3: Pass a Class 7 road test to get your Novice (“N”) licence.
• Step 4: The novice stage. Hold your “N” for 24 months (or 18 with training).
• Step 5: Graduate to a probationary Class 5 licence for 12 months.
• Step 6: Upon successful completion, demonstrate safe driving behaviour to receive a full Class 5 licence with no restrictions.

For Drivers Aged 25 and Older:

• “L” stage reduced to 9 months (with training, potentially shorter).
• “N” stage reduced to 12 months.
• Then, the same 12-month probation period before full privileges for drivers eligible.

The Probationary Period:

This new phase is key. You’ll technically hold a Class 5 licence—but with strict conditions, including a 12-month restriction period to demonstrate safe driving behaviors:

• Zero tolerance for speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving.
• One infraction = 12-month clock restarts.

This approach rewards drivers with consistent, safe behaviour—while still keeping road safety top of mind.

Why Now? What’s Driving the Change

The second road test has long been a pain point, particularly during periods of high demand. In the past few years, ICBC has struggled with backlogs lasting several months, making it difficult for drivers to book tests at all.

But officials insist the change isn’t just about speed. It’s about aligning with new evidence to increase road safety and implement more effective safety measures over time. “As new drivers get more experience, their crash risk decreases,” the Ministry of Public Safety noted. “Evidence shows that an extended period with restrictions and enhanced driver-record reviews builds the necessary skills and behaviours to promote safe driving.”

This brings B.C. in line with provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan, which already rely on probationary periods rather than multiple road tests. Once the introduced legislative changes go through, Ontario will be the only province still requiring a second road test as part of its graduated licensing program.

Changes Coming for Motorcyclists, Too

In addition to changes for car drivers, B.C. is also overhauling its new motorcyclist licensing program. Riders currently can earn a full Class 6 motorcycle licence in as little as 30 days, which critics argue doesn’t allow enough time to build safe habits.

Under the new plan:

• Learner stage: 9 months (or 6 with training).
• Restricted Class 6 stage: 18 months (or 12 with training).
• Riders must wear protective gear and follow stricter safety rules.
• Like drivers, they’ll also face a zero-tolerance approach during the learning period.

Motorcyclists are overrepresented in traffic fatalities. They account for just 3.7% of insured vehicles but 14.2% of B.C. road deaths. These changes are designed to address that imbalance with more hands-on experience and a slower, safer path to full licensing. New motorcycle riders must wear protective gear and follow stricter safety rules.

What Happens Next. And How to Prepare

Introducing legislation is currently working its way through the provincial government and the proposed legislative changes are expected to be passed later this year. Implementation is scheduled for early 2026, with specific regulations and timelines to be finalized in the coming months.

If you’re currently in the licensing process—or a long-time “N” driver—you’ll want to:

• Stay informed through ICBC updates.
• Keep your driving record clean.
• Watch for details on how transition rules will apply to your situation.

Final Thoughts: A New Era for B.C. Drivers

This is the most significant update to B.C.’s licensing system in more than two decades. It modernizes the process, removes long-standing bottlenecks, and introduces a system that rewards consistent safe driving over time, and not just test performance on a single day. Collaboration with key partners has been essential in informing these legislative updates.

At King Insurance, we believe these changes to road safety could have meaningful effects on how new drivers are insured, especially with more emphasis on record-based progression. If you’re unsure how these reforms could affect your premiums or coverage, give us a call. We’re here to help you steer through the changes—confidently and safely.