Beginning this week, some notable B.C. driver licence changes will take effect.
The changes take effect on Oct. 19 and will impact “drivers with a Class 7 novice or Class 7, 8 novice licence,” according to the ICBC website.
Those drivers who have a clean driving record will not need to take a second test to obtain a Class 5 licence with restrictions.
Instead of the second test, these drivers will fall under the Driving Record Assessment. Under the assessment, drivers over 25 years old will need to demonstrate safe driving for a 12-month period in order to be eligible to upgrade their licences.
For drivers under 25 years old, you’ll have to demonstrate 24 months of safe driving, or 18 months if you’ve completed an approved GLP course.
Once you’ve met all the criteria, you’ll need to visit a licensing office to upgrade your licence. You can do so by making an appointment or just walking in.
If you’re a driver whose second road test is scheduled to take place on or after Oct. 19, it will be cancelled, and ICBC says it will email you to confirm the next steps.
ICBC has offered some explanation as to why it is making these changes, after the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) was introduced over 25 years ago.
“It’s time we made some changes to align B.C. with evolving road safety practices and graduated licensing programs in other jurisdictions,” ICBC says on its website.
ICBC adds that road safety continues to be its top priority, and that the GLP will continue to allow new drivers and riders to develop the skills they need to be safe on B.C. roads.
“Removing the second road test will also mean reducing barriers to getting licensed, especially for drivers in rural, remote and Indigenous communities, where access to road tests may be limited,” ICBC says.
The changes have been very divisive among Daily Hive Urbanized readers.
In a previous article we published on the topic, we received well over 100 comments from readers. Many are in support, while some are opposed.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea to put an end to the N test. It’s ridiculous and completely unnecessary,” one reader said.
Others claimed that Vancouver is a terrible place to drive and that licences are handed out like candy.
If you’re confused about where you fall in the new licensing program, the ICBC website offers lots of information to figure out how the changes might impact you.