B.C. announced yesterday that driver’s licence changes would be coming into effect later this year, in October 2026.
The Province previously announced the proposed changes, but yesterday was when it revealed exactly when and how it was going to work.
Effective Oct. 19, 2026, drivers who have a Class 7 novice or Class 7, 8 novice licence and a clean driving record do not have to take a second road test to get a Class 5 licence with restrictions.
Instead of the second road test, drivers will be subject to a Driving Record Assessment, “where they must demonstrate safe driving to be eligible to upgrade their licence, followed by a 12-month restriction period,” ICBC says.
The changes have prompted some interesting reactions, including from some who feel roads will be less safe, and it also revealed that many never even bothered taking the second road test, holding on to their ‘N’ for years.
Why? ICBC explains
ICBC
ICBC says that the Graduated Licensing Program was introduced over 25 years ago and that it is time it made changes to align with evolving road safety practices in other jurisdictions.
ICBC assures that road safety is a top priority and that the program will still allow new drivers to develop the skills they need to be safe road users.
“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,” it adds.
ICBC also has a handy tool if you’re wondering how it might impact you.
Some B.C. residents not too keen on licence changes
Our story yesterday garnered lots of reaction, with many fearing the decision would lead to less safe roads.
Yikes … gonna have some really bad accidents soon
— ilike2eXit (@ilike2eXit) July 20, 2026
“They give out licences like candy, most people should absolutely not be on the road, and now they’re making it easier,” a Daily Hive reader commented.
Some said it was a good idea.
One reader commented, “It’s a complete waste of time, and backlogs driving tests. There are huge waits because of this Good driving comes with practice.”
The official ICBC Reddit account also shared the information on the British Columbia subreddit.
“Driving is a privilege not a right. We should be making it harder to obtain a licence with more testing not less. Drivers here are absolute trash,” one Redditor said.
The thread revealed that a startling number of people have their ‘N’ and didn’t bother taking their second road test.
“Aw man. I’ve had my N for 20 years and I was really looking forward to having it til I was like 70,” someone said.
Hotdoglady33 said, “I used to joke about having my N long enough that it would just disappear one day. I didn’t think it would actually happen but I’m here for it.”
In response to Hotdoglady33, others shared they were in a similar boat, with one person saying they’ve had their ‘N’ since 2022!
Another driver said, “I have test anxiety, but have been driving with a clean record with a N since 2015. granted I didn’t buy an actual car of my own until 2021.”
We contacted ICBC about the fears that road safety would worsen under the new rules, and will update this article when we hear back.
Are you one of those B.C. drivers who has had an ‘N’ licence for years without taking the second test? Let us know in the comments.