Province introduces more changes to Graduated Licensing Program for newer drivers

VICTORIA – The province has introduced more changes to the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) for newer drivers in British Columbia it claims will prioritize road safety and ongoing driver monitoring and streamline licensing procedures.

In a statement from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Monday morning, the B.C. government says changes to the GLP will go into effect on October 19, 2026.

Among the changes introduced Monday, the province says drivers who are eligible may qualify for a one-time, automatic licence upgrade from a Class 7 to a Class 5 licence, meaning they won’t be required to complete an in-office driving record assessment (DRA).

Drivers who pass the driving record assessment will be eligible to move to a Class 5 licence with a 12-month restricted period. During the restricted period, drivers will be subject to a zero blood-alcohol and drug restriction and face greater scrutiny than experienced drivers if they receive any violations on their record.

The province is also trying to streamline licensing for people who are age 25 or older, which includes:

* shortening the learner phase from 12 to nine months

* reducing the novice phase from 24 to 12 months

The province says driver training continues to play an essential role in developing safe drivers for B.C. roads. Drivers under 25 will still be eligible for a shortened novice phase of 18 months if they have taken an ICBC-approved GLP course.

The province says the GLP changes will create a streamlined, more accessible process for new drivers with changes that will also include:

* lowering the age of consent to apply for a driver’s licence from 19 to 18

* making the DRA available at all Service BC offices, driver licensing agent offices and ICBC driver licensing offices

* introducing an immediate family exemption for passenger limits

These GLP changes emphasize ongoing monitoring of driving behaviour, the province claims.

“The new 12-month restricted period will help flag and correct mistakes made by new drivers and ensure they spend more time developing good driving habits on the roads,” the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General said.

Here’s a comparison of the old GLP model versus the new system:

Old GLP model:

* Stage 1: Class 7 (Learner) licence after passing knowledge test – 12 months

* First road test – Class 7 (Novice) licence after passing

* Stage 2: Novice – 24 months (18 months if ICBC-approved GLP course is completed)

* Second road test – Class 5 licence after passing

* Stage 3: Full Class 5 licence, no restrictions

Under the new GLP model:

Process for drivers under 25:

* Stage 1: Learner – 12 months

* First road test – Class 7 licence after passing

* Stage 2: Novice – 24 months (18 months if ICBC-approved GLP course is completed)

* Driving record assessment – Class 5 licence after passing

* Stage 3: Class 5 licence with a zero blood-alcohol and drug restriction for 12 months

* Stage 4: Class 5 licence without this restriction

Process for drivers 25 and older:

* Stage 1: Learner – 9 months

* First road test – Class 7 licence after passing

* Stage 2: Novice – 12 months

* Driving record assessment – Class 5 licence after passing

* Stage 3: Class 5 licence with a zero blood-alcohol and drug restriction for 12 months

* Stage 4: Class 5 licence without this restriction