Whether you’re planning to apply for a job, signing up for a car-sharing service or volunteering to drive for a school field trip, you may be asked for a copy of your ICBC driving record. The good news is that you usually don’t need to visit a ICBC driver licensing office to get one, as in-person requests may incur a small fee.

ICBC lets B.C. drivers request their driving record online through My ICBC and receive a digitally certified copy by email.

What is an ICBC driver abstract?

An ICBC driver abstract is another name for your driving record. It provides a basic record of your driving history in British Columbia.

Your abstract shows when your driver’s licence was first issued, along with driving tickets and other offences recorded during the last five years. ICBC refers to this as a public, or “P,” driving record.

You may be asked to provide a BC driver abstract, for instance, when:

Applying for certain jobs that involve driving, for employment purposes (driver abstracts must be no more than 10 days old for hiring)
Joining a car-sharing company
Volunteering as a driver for a school or other organization
Applying for a driver’s licence after moving away from B.C.
Providing an organization with proof of your recent driving history

ICBC specifically identifies moving out of B.C., joining a car-sharing company and volunteering for activities such as school field trips as situations where a BC driver abstract may be required.

The driver abstract should not be confused with your insurance and claims history, which contains different information.

How to get your ICBC driving record online in British Columbia

The fastest option for most B.C. drivers is to request the record online.

1. Go to My ICBC

Visit ICBC’s driving record page and select the option to get your driving records. You’ll be directed to My ICBC, ICBC’s online customer portal.

My ICBC launched in March 2026 as a central place for online driver licensing, insurance, claims and account services.

2. Sign in securely

You can sign in to My ICBC using either your BC Services Card account or Interac Verification Service through your bank.

If you haven’t used either sign-in method before, you may need to complete an identity-verification process before accessing ICBC services.

3. Request your driver record

Once you’re signed in, choose the option to request a driver record and follow the instructions provided. My ICBC allows customers to request driver records as well as driver factor, address history and commercial driving records.

Make sure you select the standard driving record or driver’s abstract if that is what your employer, school, car-sharing service or other organization requested.

4. Check your email

ICBC sends the requested driving record by email. The attached record is digitally certified by ICBC, so you can generally provide the electronic document rather than obtaining a separate paper copy.

If the message doesn’t appear in your inbox, check your spam or junk folder. ICBC recommends trying the request again if you still can’t find it.

Keep in mind that email is not considered a secure method of transmitting sensitive personal information. ICBC specifically warns users of this risk when choosing electronic delivery.

Is an ICBC driver abstract free?

A standard ICBC driver abstract can be requested online at no charge. ICBC introduced its online driving-record service as a free service, and current Canadian driver-record guides continue to list B.C. driver abstracts as free.

If you are requesting a different type of record or using another method, check the current requirements before submitting your request.

Driver abstract vs. claims history: what’s the difference?

These records are easy to mix up.

Your driver abstract focuses on your licensing and driving history. It includes the date you were first licensed and tickets or offences from the previous five years.

An insurance and claims history record focuses on your B.C. insurance coverage history, crash history and claims as a driver. This information is separate from your driver abstract and may be relevant when an insurer determines your ICBC insurance premiums. ICBC says you can request claims history going back as far as 20 years.

If you’re moving out of B.C. and applying for auto insurance elsewhere, your new insurer may ask for your insurance and claims history rather than, or in addition to, your standard driver abstract.

What if you need a commercial driving record?

Commercial drivers may need a different document.

If you’re applying for a commercial driving job, your employer may request a National Safety Code, or NSC, abstract. ICBC calls this an “N” print.

The NSC abstract includes your basic driving history as well as commercial vehicle-related convictions from the previous five years.

Before ordering a record for employment, check exactly which document your employer wants. Asking for a standard driver abstract when they require an NSC abstract could mean having to repeat the process.

Can you get an ICBC driving record without using the online service?

Yes. ICBC says you can also request driving records by phone, mail or fax and have the documents sent to you or another organization.

If you use one of these alternatives, have your driver’s licence number ready. This can also be a better option if you are uncomfortable receiving sensitive information by email.

Check which ICBC record you actually need

For most B.C. drivers, getting an ICBC driver abstract is now a straightforward online task. Sign in to My ICBC, request your driver record and watch for the digitally certified document in your email.

The most important step is choosing the right record. A standard driver abstract covers your basic driving history from the last five years, while claims history, driver factor reports and commercial NSC abstracts serve different insurance purposes. Your driver factor can also be affected by your driving experience and whether you remain crash free over time.

If an employer, insurer or organization has asked you for a driving record, confirm which one they require before submitting your request.

About King Insurance

King Insurance can help you compare tenant insurance options and choose coverage that fits your rental home, budget, and the level of risk you can realistically afford to take on. If you ever need to make a claim, your insurer may assign an adjuster to review the loss, confirm what is covered, and help move the process forward.

Ka Hing Cheung is proud to work in the province’s insurance industry, helping people manage risk and protect what matters most. Ka Hing is committed to ongoing learning and enjoys helping customers find the right coverage for life, home or car insurance, at the best available rate, while making sure they understand their options clearly.

How to Get Your ICBC Driver Abstract or Driving Record Online