For the first time in 25 years, the province is making changes to the graduated driver’s licensing regime.
The key change is removing the second road test for every new driver, according to B.C. Premier David Eby.
“The data shows that experienced driving is what reduces the risk of collision. Rather than an exit test. And so what they are doing is removing that requirement consistent with every other province in Canada except for Ontario,” Eby said.
Currently, new drivers are required to take two driving tests.
What’s changing for 16 to 25-year-olds
Starting in 2026, the graduated driver’s licensing will require just one test. New drivers aged 16 to 25 years must spend a minimum of 12 months as a Learner, with restrictions on their license, followed by 24-months as a Novice, reduced to 18-months with driver training.
What’s changing for 25 years and older
Also starting in 2026, new drivers aged 25 years and older will spend a minimum of nine months as a Learner with restrictions on their license. Then 12-months as a Novice.
But not everyone is in favour of all the changes, including Kate Harris, CEO and owner of Drivewise.
“Driver training works. We have the statistics to say that. People need to be educated. And now we’ve already decreased the first road test from 35-minutes to twenty,” Harris said.
According to ICBC, drivers with training are less likely to be at fault in a crash, less likely to get a ticket as a Novice driver, and have a higher pass rate on their road tests.
Harris thinks more driver training should be mandatory, including the second road test to get a Class 5 license.
“We need to do something to make sure that these drivers, new drivers, are being tested properly. because we need them to stay alive on our roads,” Harris said.
What’s changing for motorcyclists
Ron Cronk is a safety training officer with the Vancouver Island Safety Council.
He likes the changes.
“I think the thing that struck me the most was the government heard us. They heard us because we’re all about motorcycle safety, motorcycle teaching. Making people better riders, more aware…the government heard us, and recognized us, and as a result those wait periods have been reduced for people who take a licensed-approved motorcycle course,” Cronk said.
With the changes, the learner stage for new motorcyclists is nine months, reduced to six with training. And they can get their Class 6 license after 18 months, or 12 months with training.
One thing that hasn’t change, new drivers will still have to take a computer knowledge test to get their learner’s license.
If the legislation passes, it could come into effect in early 2026.
READ MORE: B.C. accelerates license process for new drivers with these major changes
