It will become easier to obtain a full driver’s license in British Columbia. Starting October 19, 2026, the province will introduce new rules that will allow many drivers to upgrade from an initial category to a full license without having to retake the road test.
For those who already hold a license marked N (Novice), this could significantly simplify the process. And drivers aged 25 and older will be able to complete certain stages of training much faster.
However, there is an important caveat: the second test is not being eliminated for everyone without exception, and obtaining a full license will depend on driving experience and history.
We’ll explain exactly what will change, who will be affected by the new rules, and what Ukrainians planning to obtain a driver’s license in Canada need to know.
What Will Change Starting October 19?
The main change is the elimination of the second practical exam for advancing from Class 7 Novice to Class 5.
British Columbia currently operates the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP), which involves several stages in obtaining a driver’s license.
First, a person takes a written test and receives a Learner (L) license. After the required training period, they pass a road test and move up to the Novice (N) category.
The next stage is obtaining a full Class 5 license. Previously, this required passing another road test.
Starting October 19, 2026, the repeat road test will be replaced by a Driving Record Assessment (DRA).
This means that drivers who have sufficient experience and have not committed certain serious violations will no longer have to demonstrate their driving skills to an examiner.
Instead, ICBC will assess how responsibly the person has driven during the preceding period.
What is a Driving Record Assessment?
Driving Record Assessment (DRA) is an evaluation of a driver’s history that will replace the second road test.
The assessment will take into account not only the length of driving experience but also compliance with traffic laws.
To upgrade from Class 7 Novice to Class 5, a driver must meet several requirements.
Specifically:
- have the required period of safe driving;
- have no convictions for significant speeding violations during the relevant period;
- have no convictions for using electronic devices while driving;
- have no driving bans or suspensions of their driver’s license.
If a driver has violated the established rules, the Novice period may start over.
In other words, the new system effectively encourages drivers not just to accumulate driving experience, but to follow traffic rules.
Rules Will Be Simplified for Drivers Aged 25 and Older
One of the most notable changes applies to people aged 25 and older.
Previously, the standard program required at least 12 months in the Learner stage and 24 months in the Novice stage.
Now, these periods are being shortened for older drivers.
For drivers aged 25 and older:
- Learner (L) — 9 months instead of 12;
- first practical test to obtain Novice (N) status;
- Novice (N) — 12 months instead of 24;
- a driving history check instead of a second practical test;
- obtaining a Class 5 license with additional restrictions for 12 months.
Thus, provided all stages are successfully completed and there are no violations, the path to Class 5 for drivers aged 25 and older can take approximately 21 months instead of three years.
However, after obtaining Class 5, an additional one-year period of restrictions will still apply.
The government explains this decision based on road safety statistics. According to research, drivers aged 25 and older generally have a lower risk of being involved in accidents than younger drivers.
That is why it was decided to shorten the mandatory training period for them.
What will change for drivers under 25?
For younger drivers, the main training periods will remain nearly the same.
They will be required to complete:
- 12 months in the Learner stage;
- the first practical test;
- 24 months in the Novice stage;
- a driving history review;
- 12 months of additional restrictions after obtaining Class 5.
At the same time, it is possible to shorten the Novice period to 18 months.
To do this, drivers must successfully complete a training program approved by ICBC while still in the Learner stage.
This option existed before, but now, after completing the required period, drivers will not have to take a second road test.
Full Class 5 privileges do not mean the immediate removal of all restrictions
This is one point that deserves special attention.
Although the new system allows you to obtain Class 5 without a second practical exam, an additional 12-month period of restrictions will apply after transitioning from Novice.
During this time, drivers must adhere to stricter rules.
In particular, there will be a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drugs while driving.
Additionally, traffic violations during this period will be treated more severely than for drivers with full driving experience.
Upon successful completion of the 12 months, the relevant additional restrictions will be lifted.
Thus, the province is not simply eliminating the test but changing its entire approach to evaluating new drivers.
Instead of a single additional test, more attention will be paid to how a person behaves behind the wheel in everyday life.
What will happen to those who already have a Novice license?
If you currently hold a Class 7 Novice driver’s license, the new rules may also apply to you.
After October 19, drivers who meet the established requirements will be able to upgrade to Class 5 without taking a second road test.
To do so, they will need to complete a Driving Record Assessment.
Typically, this assessment involves visiting the appropriate office, where officials will review the driver’s record and determine whether the person meets the upgrade criteria.
At the same time, the British Columbia government has provided for a one-time automatic license upgrade for certain drivers who are already enrolled in the GLP program.
These drivers may not need to undergo the assessment in person at an office.
ICBC will notify program participants of the changes and next steps.
Therefore, if you already have a license marked with an N, you should check your messages from ICBC to confirm whether you are eligible for the new rules.
What should you do if your second road test is already booked?
This question is particularly relevant for people who have been waiting a long time for an available test date.
According to ICBC, if your second road test to upgrade to Class 5 is scheduled for October 19, 2026, or later, your appointment will be canceled.
ICBC will send a notification via email explaining the next steps.
If the exam is scheduled before October 19, you can still take it under the old rules.
At the same time, once the new system takes effect, eligible drivers will be able to undergo a driving history review.
How do I get a Class 5 license under the new rules?
Starting October 19, drivers who have met the necessary requirements can visit the appropriate office to upgrade to Class 5.
Driving Record Assessment will be available through ICBC Driver Licensing offices, Service BC, and authorized driver’s license agents.
You can schedule an appointment with ICBC online by selecting the Driving Record Assessment service.
Walk-ins are also accepted.
However, due to expected demand, it is best to check appointment availability in advance.
It is important to remember that simply having the required driving experience does not guarantee automatic issuance of a Class 5 license.
ICBC will also review your driving record and verify compliance with other established requirements.
Why was the decision made to eliminate the second test?
The Graduated Licensing Program has been in place in British Columbia for over 25 years.
During this time, approaches to driver training and road safety assessment have changed significantly.
The provincial government has concluded that a long history of responsible driving can be just as indicative as the result of a single road test.
In addition, the second test created additional difficulties for residents of small towns and remote communities.
In some regions, access to testing centers is limited, and the wait for an available date can be quite long.
Eliminating the retest should make the system more accessible and reduce the administrative burden.
However, the first road test remains mandatory.
This means that first-time drivers must still demonstrate that they can drive safely.
A Few More Changes for Future Drivers
In addition to eliminating the second practical exam, the British Columbia government is introducing other changes.
Specifically, the age at which a person can independently apply for a driver’s license without parental or guardian consent is being lowered.
Previously, such consent was required for applicants under 19 years of age.
Now, the age threshold has been lowered to 18 years old.
Exceptions to passenger limits are also provided for immediate family members.
This is particularly relevant for families in which young drivers help with daily trips.
Do the new rules apply to Ukrainians in Canada?
Yes, if you live in British Columbia and are obtaining your driver’s license through the local Graduated Licensing Program.
For Ukrainians who have moved to Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, or other cities in the province, these changes can significantly simplify the process of obtaining a full Class 5 license.
This is especially true for people aged 25 and older who are starting the local training program.
At the same time, it’s important to distinguish between two situations.
First—obtaining a driver’s license from scratch.
If a person is obtaining a license in British Columbia for the first time, they will go through the updated GLP program.
The second is exchanging a foreign driver’s license.
For drivers who already hold a Ukrainian or other foreign license, separate rules may apply regarding the verification of driving experience and obtaining a Canadian license.
The new reform does not mean automatic recognition of all foreign driver’s licenses and does not eliminate the requirements that apply to their exchange.
Therefore, before submitting your documents, you should check with ICBC to determine which specific procedure applies to your situation.
Will the rules change in Alberta and other provinces?
No. The changes, which take effect on October 19, 2026, apply specifically to British Columbia.
In Canada, the rules for issuing driver’s licenses are set at the provincial and territorial levels.
Therefore, Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba, and other regions may have their own systems for training, testing, and upgrading between license classes.
For example, Alberta has already eliminated the second road test required to upgrade from a Class 5-GDL probationary license to a full Class 5 license.
Therefore, British Columbia’s new regulations do not mean that rules will change simultaneously across the entire country.
What Should You Do Now?
If you’re planning to get a driver’s license in British Columbia or already hold a Class 7 Novice license, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the new requirements in advance.
First, check how long you’ve been at your current stage of the program and whether your driving record contains any violations that could affect your transition to Class 5.
If you already have a second road test scheduled after October 19, pay attention to the notice from ICBC.
And for those just starting their training, it’s important to take the new program timelines into account, especially if you’re already 25 years old.
Conclusion
Starting October 19, 2026, British Columbia will transition to an updated system for obtaining a driver’s license.
The main change is the elimination of the second road test for advancing from Class 7 Novice to Class 5.
For drivers aged 25 and older, the mandatory training periods are also being shortened, and a driving history check is being introduced in place of a retest.
At the same time, safety remains the top priority. Drivers must have the required driving experience, avoid serious violations, and complete an additional 12-month probationary period after obtaining a Class 5 license.
For many residents of the province, particularly Ukrainians building new lives in Canada, this may make the process of obtaining a full driver’s license simpler and more accessible.
However, before applying, it’s important to check the current ICBC requirements, as the transition process depends on age, current license category, and driving history.