B.C.'s graduated licensing program (GLP) for new drivers was introduced in August 1998. Its multi-phase licensing system allows new drivers to gradually gain driving experience in restricted, lower risk environments. The following are evaluations of graduated licensing.
Released: November 27, 2009
The Graduated Licensing Program (Enhanced): Estimates of Claims Savings 2004-2006 Report estimates the reduction in new driver crashes and their associated claims costs during the first three years after enhancements were made to the GLP in October 2003.
The enhancements made to the GLP included extending the minimum Learner and Novice stages by an additional six months, adding a Novice stage passenger restriction, and a requirement that Novice stage drivers demonstrate safe driving attitudes and behaviours by staying prohibition-free for 24 consecutive months.
The report provides a long-term view of the benefits of the GLP enhancements and found that between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2006, the crash rate for GLP drivers dropped by 28 per cent, or approximately 17,500 crashes. This translates into:
Released: June 16, 2009
The Graduated Licensing: Year 6 Evaluation Report tracked the crash records of drivers who entered the program between 1999 and 2004 and examined the short- and long-term effects of the program on new driver crash rates.
The above documents are in Adobe Acrobat™ (PDF) format. If you do not have the Acrobat Reader you can download it via the site requirements page. Dial-up users will experience significant delay when opening the documents.
Feedback or inquiries on the report's recommendations can be sent via email.
GLP Year 3 Evaluation Report (PDF)(1.1 Mb)