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Applying for a licence in B.C. is approximately a 36 months process. There are steps put into place that allow you to easily transition into becoming a responsible licensed driver. You will….

• Get your L (learner licence) after passing your knowledge test.
• Get your N (novice licence) after violation-free driving for 12 months with a licensed driver and passing your class 7 road test.
• Get your full licence after 24 months of safe driving and passing your class 5 road test.

Yes. There are restrictions put in place designed to keep you safe and help you ease into the responsibilities of driving.

• You must maintain zero blood alcohol level and zero blood drug concentration.
• The front seat next to you must always be occupied by a supervising driver at least 25 years of age with a full licence.
• You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. You must display L or N sign on the rear of your vehicle when driving. There are passenger restrictions.
• You are prohibited from using any electronic devices, even hands-free!

Questions will cover different areas. Sample questions may be similar to:

• When a red X is over a driving lane, you ____.
• What documents may a peace officer ask you to show?
• When another vehicle wants to pass, you should ________?
• You should________before moving from a parked position.

• Have you held your L licence for at least 12 months?
• Do you have a 0% BAC level on record?
• Have you gotten a lot of behind the wheel training and practice within the past 12 months?

If you answered YES to these questions, then you are ready to proceed in getting your novice licence.

• A Learner licence is the first licence you receive in B.C. graduated licensing program (GLP). It is issued after you have passed the knowledge and vision tests. With this licence, you can only drive in the car with a fully licensed driver who is at least 25 years old. This licence is valid for 2 years.
• A Novice licence is the second licence you receive in the GLP. It is issued to you after you pass your class 7 road test. There are still some restrictions with this licence, such as no driving between midnight and 5 am, but at least you can drive alone with this licence. You must wait at least 12 months after having received your L licence before you can be eligible for a novice licence.
• A full licence is the final stage in B.C.'s GLP. It is received after you have taken the class 5 road test. This licence has no restrictions.

When you go to the driver licensing office to apply for your learner licence, you should take:

• Primary and secondary ID
• Applicable fees
• Glasses or contacts if need for driving
• Parent or legal guardian if you are under 19

You may have one passenger in the car with you unless:

• the passengers are your immediate family members;
• you have a fully licensed driver 25 years old or older sitting next to you.

Here's a word of advice…practice EVERYTHING pertaining to the rules of the road. Sharpening those driving skills are the key to passing the road test. Here are some specific skills you should be practicing. Your practice should not be limited to this though. A good driving mentor should be able to properly guide you on additional skills.

• Practice signaling, entering and leaving turns in the proper lane.
• Practice driving through intersections at the proper speed.
• Become acquainted with different types of intersections and how to react in situations involving pedestrians and other vehicles.
• Practice speed and space control.
• Become familiar with how to react at various road signs

On the class 5 road test, you can expect to demonstrate the following:

• Proper following distance between vehicles
• Parallel parking
• Proper Lane changing
• Frequent and exaggerated blind spot checks
• Defensive driving techniques
• Navigating through an intersection
• 3 point turn arounds

And more…..

On the class 5 road test, you will be expected to do a pre-trip check - if your car is not safe to drive, you won't be able to take your test. Be prepared to demonstrate the knowledge of hand signals and recognize potential hazards. Expect to drive around the city, commercial areas and highways. Your road test will take about 60 minutes.

When you come for your test, be sure to bring:

• Accepted ID
• Road test fee
• Vehicle insurance and registration papers
• A safe vehicle

Here are some tips that will help you look great in front of the examiner:

• Give exaggerated head movements in order to show that you are aware of the traffic around you.
• Try to drive the exact speed limit. It's ok to drive a little under just don't go over. Also make sure that your speed is practical for the situation
• Use, use, use those turn signals
• Drive slowly through parking lots
• Follow the rules of merging and exiting from a highway

We know you want to do your best to not make any mistakes that would cause you to fail your road test. Here are errors that applicants seem to make often:

• Recklessly changing lanes by not observing blind spots
• Making "rolling" stops instead of complete stops at stop signs
• Turning into the wrong lane
• Disrupting traffic by going too slow
• Merging onto a highway more slowly than the speed of the highway traffic
• Riding with distractions in the car
• Speeding
• Lack of vehicle control

Filling out your test card prior to your road test (see ICBC website) will help you feel more confident. Make sure to ask the examiner questions if you have any!

Then, your vehicle will be checked if it properly functions. At some points during the test, you'll be asked to identify the hazards you see while you are driving. You will need to look ahead and use your mirrors to identify all the hazards around your vehicle. You will have a chance to discuss what you did right and wrong on your test after you've completed the exam.

Be prepared to have information such as:

• Your licence number
• Car description (Odometer number, VIN Number, year, make and model)
• Your address
• Number of kilometers you travel on average

If you move to B.C., you have 90 days after arrival to apply for a B.C. driver's licence. You may simply exchange your valid driver's licence for a Class 5 licence if you meet the following criteria:

• You hold a driver's licence that has a Reciprocal Licensing Agreement with B.C., such as Austria, Australia, France, Germany, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, (except former territories in Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten), New Zealand, South Korea (not motorcycles), Switzerland, Taiwan (not motorcycles), UK and US.

If you move from a country that does NOT have a Reciprocal Licensing Agreement with B.C., you have 90 days to exchange your licence. You will need to take a knowledge and road test.