Novice drivers no longer require a second driving test to get their full licence in British Columbia. The major change to ICBC’s graduated licensing program took effect Monday, allowing “N” drivers to progress to a Class 5 licence based on an assessment of their driving record rather than an additional test of their abilities behind the wheel. Those with a record of unsafe behaviour such as distracted driving or excessive speeding will be forced to re-start the novice driving period—meaning at least 12 more months with a Class 7 licence. When announcing the change over the summer, Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger said the updated system maintains B.C.’s “high road safety standards, with a focus on helping new drivers get more time behind the wheel to develop the habits they need to drive responsibly.” “Evidence shows that driving experience gained over time predicts long-term safety as reliably as a single road test,” Krieger said in a July statement. Once drivers advance, they will also be under new restrictions. For their first 12 months with a Class 5 licence, they must be completely clean of alcohol and drugs while behind the wheel. They will also face greater scrutiny than experienced drivers for violations racked up during that period, according to B.C.’s Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Back in June, the province allowed updated the ICBC system so the knowledge test required for a learner’s licence could be taken online and at home.
