Serving All of British Columbia
infobc@preszlerlaw.com Call 1-888-404-5167

How Do You Get a Licence as a Teenager in British Columbia?


For many youths, earning a licence to drive is a rite of passage. For parents, supporting a child’s foray into greater independence is an exciting time, but it can also be fraught with anxiety. Fortunately, British Columbia uses a graduated licensing system designed to minimize risks and provide new drivers with the training they need to succeed. Continue reading to learn more about the B.C. driving system from a knowledgeable ICBC personal injury lawyer.

What Documents Are Needed to Get a Learner’s Licence? 

When applying for a learner’s licence, new drivers will need to provide ONE PRIMARY form of identification:

  • B.C. driver’s licence with photo (accepted up to three years after expiry date)
  • Immigrant documentation and licence (a student, work, visitor, temporary-resident or refugee permit)
  • B.C. services card with photo (accepted up to three years after expiry date)
  • B.C. identification (BCID) card (accepted up to three years after expiry date; BCID cards that do not include an expiry date are not accepted)
  • Birth certificate
  • Canadian citizenship card
  • Canadian passport (must be currently valid)
  • Permanent resident card (must be currently valid)
  • Student, work, visitor, or temporary resident permit

They will also need ONE SECONDARY form of ID:

  • Bank card (with imprinted name and signature)
  • Birth certificate from a foreign country
  • Canadian Forces ID
  • Correctional service conditional release card
  • Credit card (with imprinted name and signature)
  • Department of National Defence 404 driver’s licence
  • Driver’s licence (Canadian outside of B.C. or U.S.)
  • Employee ID card with photo
  • Foreign Affairs Canada or consular ID
  • Canadian health card
  • Native Status card
Call 1-844-373-8202 to speak with our British Columbia legal intake team for free Book Free Consultation

This is just a partial list– other forms are also acceptable, however, only the original form of these documents will be accepted– not emails or photocopies. All but the passport may be expired for up to one year. 

How the B.C. Licensing System Works 

Here’s how the system works: 

  • Get Your L – Children 16 years of age or older may visit the nearest ICBC driver licensing office with a parent or legal guardian to take the written knowledge test, vision test, pay a $15 fee, and submit a parental consent form. (At age 19, no parental consent is required.) A passing score for the knowledge test is 40 out of 50 questions correct. Before taking the test, students should prepare by studying the Learn to Drive Smart manual.

The “L” stage lasts for 12 to 24 months. L drivers must have another fully licensed adult at least 25 years of age present while behind the wheel and adhere to the restrictions printed on the licence. For instance, drivers must display a red “L” sign in the back window of the vehicle, drive with no more than one additional passenger besides the supervisor, and refrain from driving between midnight and 5 a.m.

  • Get Your N – After one year of practicing with a supervisor, L drivers can take a road test with an ICBC instructor to become novices, or “N” drivers. N hopefuls will need $35 for the road test and $75 for the licence. Upon approval, these drivers must display a green “N” sign on the vehicle. A supervisor need not always be present, and there are no time restrictions. Passengers are still limited to no more than one non-immediate family member in the car unless a supervisor is present.
  • Get Your Full Licence – After two years of safe driving with an N and passing the 45-minute Class 5 road test ($50), the driver may apply for a full licence ($75) without restrictions. A driver can obtain a full licence in as little as 18 months by taking an ICBC-approved driver training course in the L stage and maintaining a safe driving record. The licence is good for up to five years, at which time another $75 will be necessary for renewal.

Why Are There So Many New Driver Restrictions? 

The system can be frustrating for youngsters who want the freedom of driving right away. However, the top causes of automobile accidents remain distracted driving, speeding, and impairment. For these reasons, there is a zero-tolerance policy on using handheld devices (even with hands-free technology) or driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol as an N driver. Limiting the hours at which a teenager may drive and the number of peers in the vehicle further reduces the likelihood of carloads of partying kids on the roadways. 

Once Your Child is on the Road, Familiarize Yourself with ICBC Lawyers 

The last thing any parent wants to imagine is one’s teen involved in a motor vehicle accident. However, according to ICBC, one in six young drivers will be in a crash, and 25% of those individuals will suffer an injury. In 2015, there were 8,200 injuries and 28 fatalities involving drivers aged 16-21.

It’s always good to have Vancouver ICBC lawyers listed on your phone in the event of a fender-bender.  We assist in preparing ICBC files, advocating for the injured, providing legal advice, and filing lawsuits for negligence or recklessness when necessary and as circumstances permit. Preszler Injury Lawyers serves all of Vancouver through offices in Abbotsford, Burnaby, Kelowna, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, and Victoria.

Connect With Our Legal Team



Schedule a call with our personal injury legal intake team. Our team is available 24/7 so call us now to book your call. Our scheduled intake allows you to tell us details about your accident and gives our legal team an opportunity to review your case and advise you on possible solutions and outcomes. The best part is, if you decide to hire us after this call - you don't pay anything unless we win. We can help clients regardless of where they reside in British Columbia so let us help you get started on your road to recovery.

 

1321 Blanshard Street
Suite 301,
Victoria, BC
V8W 0B6
Fax: 778-373-8213
Toll Free: 1-844-373-8202
4720 Kingsway
Suite 2600,
Burnaby, BC
V6E 3C9
Fax: 778-373-8213
Toll Free: 1-844-373-8202
5811 Cooney Road
Suite 305 South Tower,
Richmond, BC
V6X 3M1
Fax: 778-373-8213
Toll Free: 1-844-373-8202
7164 120th Street
Suite 202,
Surrey, BC
V3W 3M8
Fax: 778-373-8213
Toll Free: 1-844-373-8202
1631 Dickson Avenue
Suite 1100,
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 0B5
Fax: 778-373-8213
Toll Free: 1-844-373-8202
1075 West Georgia Street
Unit 825,
Vancouver, BC
V6E 3C9
Fax: 778-373-8213
Toll Free: 1-844-373-8202
*These are consultation offices that require a booked meeting in advance. Walk-ins are not allowed.

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that images displayed on this website, including the header image and other marketing materials, may feature both lawyer and non-lawyer/paralegal employees of Preszler Injury Lawyers LLP, Preszler Law Firm LLP, and DPJP Professional Corporation (collectively referred to as “the Firm”), as well as unrelated third parties. Where non-lawyers or paralegals appear in Firm marketing, including but not limited to our former spokesperson John Fraser, this should not be construed as misleading to the public. Questions regarding the Firm’s use of non-lawyers in marketing may be directed to Firm management. Marketing statements on this website are not intended to, and do not, suggest qualitative superiority of the Firm, its lawyers, or its paralegals compared with other lawyers, paralegals, or law firms. All statements made are factual descriptions relating to the Firm. Any dollar amounts referenced, including those appearing in the header image or otherwise, represent cumulative amounts recovered by the Firm across Canada, whether by settlement or judgment. Such amounts are not province-specific.  The reference to “+1.3 Billion Recovered” pertains to Canadian Dollars recovered by way of settlement of judgment since inception.  The reference to “20,000 Clients Helped Across Canada” is Firm wide since inception.  Past results are not indicative of future outcomes. Individual case amounts found on this website relate to a specific case and each case is unique and its outcome will depend on its specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and other circumstances. Some of the content published on this website may not be current at the time of reading. This website is provided for general informational purposes only. Nothing on this site constitutes legal advice. Every individual’s situation is unique and requires specific advice from a licensed lawyer or paralegal. Legal advice can only be provided once you have contacted the Firm, a conflict search has been completed, and a formal lawyer-client relationship has been established through a signed retainer agreement. The maximum contingency fee charged by the Firm is 33%. References to awards or award logos on this website are not intended to suggest qualitative superiority of the Firm, its lawyers, or its paralegals compared with others. Awards have been granted by independent third-party organizations based on their own evaluative processes. The Firm has not made payments to receive any award. Fees may, however, be paid for the licensed use of award logos in marketing materials.  We are also proud to service additional provinces like OntarioAlberta and Nova Scotia.