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About the knowledge test

About the ICBC knowledge test

Who can take the B.C. knowledge test, where, what to bring, what it costs, and the rules that come with the learner’s licence — summarised from icbc.com and Learn to Drive Smart, with a link to every source.

This is a summary of official pages, not the official pages themselves. Rules and fees change — confirm on icbc.com before you go.

Who can apply for a learner's licence

  • You can apply for a learner's licence (Class 7L) once you are 16. If you are under 19, a custodial parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form or come with you.
  • To get it you pass the knowledge test plus a vision and medical screening.
  • The Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) has 3 tests in all: 1 multiple-choice test, then 2 road tests. Driving safely, it takes about 3 years from start to finish.
  • When you pass, you are issued a Class 7L licence, an L sign and a copy of Tuning up for drivers, ICBC's practice guide.
  • New to B.C.? A valid licence from another province, state or country is good for your first 90 days here; after that you need a B.C. licence.

Official source: Learn to Drive Smart – chapter 9, your licence ↗ · ICBC – Get your L ↗ · ICBC – Graduated licensing ↗

What the knowledge test is like

  • 50 multiple-choice questions on what is in Learn to Drive Smart. You need 40 right to pass.
  • Almost 1 in 5 questions are about road signs, so learn every sign.
  • Take it online (a computer with a working webcam, keyboard and mouse) or in person on a touch-screen kiosk; you can listen to an audio recording either way. It is offered in 12 languages, including English, French, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Punjabi.
  • It is not an open-book test: no talking, no study materials and no cellphones or other electronic devices. Taking photos of the test or bringing in an answer key is an automatic fail.
  • On the kiosk you can skip a hard question and see it again at the end, up to 2 passes through the questions. The test ends as soon as you have enough right answers or too many wrong ones.
  • If you fail, icbc.com says you can try again after 1 day, and there is a fee each time. The guide's own retest table still says 7 days between attempts; this site follows icbc.com.

Official source: ICBC – Get your L ↗ · Learn to Drive Smart – chapter 9, your licence ↗ · Learn to Drive Smart – what to take to the driver licensing office ↗

Where to take it and what to bring

  • In person, any ICBC driver licensing office gives the test; you may need to book an appointment depending on the location. In some parts of the province it is only offered as a written test. Arrive at least 1 hour before closing.
  • Bring 1 piece of primary ID and 1 piece of secondary ID. For a first licence, a Canadian birth certificate or citizenship card plus a photo student card is usually enough; the current list is at icbc.com/acceptedID.
  • Under 19: a signed and witnessed parent/legal guardian consent form, or bring your parent or legal guardian with you.
  • You pay fees for the knowledge test and for the Class 7L licence. The guide does not print the amounts, so check the current fee on icbc.com. Pay by cash, certified cheque or money order; most offices also take VISA, MasterCard and debit.
  • Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive.

Official source: ICBC – Get your L ↗ · Learn to Drive Smart – chapter 9, your licence ↗ · Learn to Drive Smart – what to take to the driver licensing office ↗

Vision and medical screening

  • Your vision is checked for colour vision, depth perception, field of vision, double vision and sharpness of vision.
  • If you do not pass the screening, you may be sent to an optometrist or ophthalmologist for further testing.
  • If you need glasses or contact lenses to drive, that restriction is printed on your licence.
  • You are also asked about your medical condition. If there is any question about your physical ability to drive, you may need a doctor's examination; the report goes to RoadSafetyBC, which makes the final decision.

Official source: ICBC – Graduated licensing ↗ · Learn to Drive Smart – chapter 9, your licence ↗

Rules you must follow with an L

  • A qualified supervisor must sit beside you in the front passenger seat: someone 25 or older with a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 licence.
  • Only 1 passenger besides your supervisor: at most 2 people in the vehicle with you.
  • No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.
  • Zero alcohol and zero drugs, including cannabis (THC), in your body when you drive.
  • No electronic devices at all, hand-held or hands-free, except an emergency call to 911. The law applies even when you are stopped at a red light.
  • Display the official L sign on the back of the vehicle, visible to drivers behind you. Lost it? Replacements are free at any driver licensing office, or print a temporary one from icbc.com; a home-made sign is not allowed.

Official source: Learn to Drive Smart – chapter 9, your licence ↗ · ICBC – Get your L ↗

How long you stay a learner

  • Hold your L for at least 12 months before you can take the Class 7 road test. ICBC says there is no rush: take it when you feel ready.
  • The L is valid for 2 years. If it expires you retake the knowledge test, but you do not wait any extra time for the road test.
  • Log your practice in the driver experience log you are given with the licence; ICBC recommends at least 60 hours.
  • Make sure you are listed as a driver on your supervisor's insurance policy, and on each vehicle you practise in; otherwise a crash could cost them an Unlisted Driver Accident Premium.
  • An ICBC-approved GLP course (at least 32 hours of instruction, finished within 1 year) can take 6 months off the N stage if you have no violations, prohibitions or at-fault crashes in your first 18 months as a novice. High school students also earn 2 Grade 11 credits.
  • The Class 7 road test takes about 45 minutes. If you fail, you can take it again in 14 days.

Official source: ICBC – Get your L ↗ · Learn to Drive Smart – chapter 9, your licence ↗

The novice (N) stage and the October 19, 2026 change

  • Pass the Class 7 road test and you get a novice (N) licence: you may drive unsupervised, but zero alcohol, zero drugs and no electronic devices still apply, and you display an N sign on the back of the vehicle.
  • Only 1 passenger, unless the passengers are your immediate family, a supervisor 25 or older with a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 licence sits beside you, or you are in a lesson with a licensed driver training instructor.
  • Until the change takes effect, the way out of GLP is the Class 5 road test, available after at least 24 consecutive months on your N without a driving prohibition, or possibly 18 months if you took an ICBC-approved course in the L stage and kept a clean record.
  • From October 19, 2026, novice drivers with a clean record no longer take a second road test. A Driving Record Assessment replaces it: 24 months of safe driving (18 with an approved GLP course) if you are under 25, or 12 months if you are 25 or older, with no convictions for excessive speed or electronic-device use and no prohibitions or suspensions. A 12-month restriction period follows.
  • A second road test booked for on or after October 19, 2026 is cancelled, and ICBC emails you about the next steps. From that date you upgrade at a driver licensing office, by appointment or as a walk-in.

Official source: Learn to Drive Smart – chapter 9, your licence ↗ · ICBC – Graduated Licensing Program changes ↗ · ICBC – Get your full licence ↗

Penalties for GLP drivers

  • As a new driver your record is closely monitored by the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles. A ticket can bring a warning letter, probation or a driving prohibition, and the threshold is stricter than for fully licensed drivers.
  • Breaking any L or N restriction can mean a fine and penalty points on your record; the guide's example table shows $368 and 4 points for using an electronic device. GLP drivers who get even 1 ticket may have their record reviewed.
  • More points or a more serious offence can bring a prohibition from driving of 1 month to a year or more. Alcohol or drugs bring an immediate roadside suspension or prohibition, a fine, penalty points and possibly vehicle impoundment.
  • A prohibition in the L stage extends it: no time counts toward the N until your licence is reinstated. A prohibition in the N stage resets the clock: you need another 24 consecutive prohibition-free months before you can leave GLP.
  • Reinstating your licence after a prohibition costs a $250 fee, and if you are caught driving while prohibited your vehicle can be impounded and you can face fines or jail.

Official source: Learn to Drive Smart – chapter 9, your licence ↗ · ICBC – Get your L ↗