L and N signs

L and N signs let other motorists know you're a new driver or motorcycle rider.

Important: If an L or N sign isn't displayed on a vehicle as required by law, the driver could be fined.

Where to put the sign

You must display the official ICBC learner’s (L) or novice (N) sign so that it's clearly visible to drivers behind you.

Attach the sign

on your rear windshield (inside or outside) or
elsewhere outside your vehicle, at the back.

Motorcyclists: Display the sign on the rear of your motorcycle or on your clothing.

Lost your L or N sign?

Here's what to do about it:

Print a temporary L or N sign (in colour only, not black-and-white).

Temporary L sign	Temporary N sign
Print a temporary L sign (PDF)	Print a temporary N sign (PDF)

Display this sign on your vehicle temporarily.
As soon as possible, go to any ICBC driver licensing office for a free replacement sign.
Display the replacement sign.

Fines

You could be fined if you

don't replace a missing or lost L or N sign
display a sign that's not from ICBC, or
alter the size, colour or shape of your sign.

More information

Please call:

250-978-8300 (Greater Victoria)
1-800-950-1498 (Elsewhere in B.C.)

Glossary

L sign

A sign which alerts others that you're a new driver so they can give you more space. It must be an official, red-coloured L sign issued by ICBC and cannot be altered. You must display the official learner sign where it is clearly visible to drivers behind you: either on your rear windshield (inside or outside); or elsewhere outside your vehicle, at the back.
L sign - motorcycles

A sign which alerts others that you're a new rider so they can give you more space. You must display an L (learner) sign on the rear of your motorcycle or on your clothing so that drivers behind you can see it when you're riding. It must be an official, red-coloured L sign issued by ICBC and cannot be altered.
N sign
A sign which lets other motorists know that you're a novice driver so they can give you more space on the road. It must be an official, green-coloured N sign issued by ICBC and cannot be altered. You must display the official N sign where it is clearly visible to drivers behind you:
- on your rear windshield (inside or outside), or
- elsewhere outside your vehicle, at the back.
N sign - motorcycles

A sign which lets other motorists know that you're a novice driver so they can give you more space on the road. You must display the N (novice) sign on the rear of your motorcycle or on your clothing so that drivers behind you can see it when you're riding. It must be an official, green-coloured N sign issued by ICBC and cannot be altered.
Vehicle (Motor Vehicle)

For the purposes of vehicle registration, a motor vehicle means a vehicle, not run on rails, that is designed to be self-propelled or propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but does not include a motor assisted cycle. A motor vehicle has an engine, frame and body, and is recognizable as a car, truck, bus, or motorcycle.