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The novice (N) stage of the graduated licensing program (GLP)

The novice stage of the graduated licensing program (GLP) includes various restrictions such as alerting other drivers by displaying an N sign. There is an option to reduce your N stage by 6 months with an ICBC-approved driver education course.

Here you’ll find details about the novice (N) stage licence for:

passenger vehicles (Class 7), and
motorcycles (Class 8).

Getting your novice driver’s licence

After you pass your Class 7 or 8 road test, we will take your photo and issue you a Class 7 or 8 licence. Now you enter the novice stage of your graduated licensing process.

The Class 7 and 8 novice licence is valid for 5 years.

Novice stage driving restrictions

Once you pass the Class 7 or 8 road test, you'll receive a Class 7 or 8 novice (N) licence. Some—but not all—licence restrictions are removed.

Important! If you violate these restrictions or get any other tickets or prohibitions, you must pay graduated licensing penalties.

Restriction	Description
Cellphone and driver distraction	Restricted from using both hand-held and hands-free cellphones and portable electronic devices while driving or riding. The GLP hands-free restriction is lifted for riding if no valid class 7 or 7L licence is held.
Display N sign	In the novice stage, you are issued a green N (Novice) sign—this replaces the L sign. When driving, you must display the N sign at the back of your vehicle so drivers behind can see it. If you are a motorcyclist with a Class 8 novice licence, you must display the N sign on the back of your motorbike or clothing so that drivers behind can see it. Lost your N? If you lose or misplace your N sign for your car or motorcycle, you must replace it immediately. There is no charge for this. This is a mandatory restriction and you can be fined for not replacing your N sign (PDF).
Zero blood-alcohol content	You must not drive with any alcohol in your body.
Passengers	You are limited to 1 passenger—unless you're driving a passenger vehicle and have a supervisor 25 years or older with a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 driver's licence. What about family members? This restriction does not apply to immediate family members: mother, father, sister, brother, child, spouse, grandparent, grandchild; including step and foster relationships.

Novice period

After a minimum of 24 months, most novice drivers are eligible to take the Class 5 or Class 6 road test. If you pass it, you get your full-privilege, Class 5 or Class 6 driver's licence.

Exceptions to 24-month rule

You must wait longer than 24 months to qualify for a full-privilege licence if you are prohibited from driving, or if your driver's licence is:

cancelled
surrendered
suspended, or
expired.

While you are unlicensed, your progress through the stages of graduated licensing is stopped.

Once you have your licence reinstated after a prohibition, your 24-month novice stage will start over from the beginning.

Reduce your novice stage by 6 months

By successfully completing an ICBC approved driving course, you could get

a six-month reduction in the novice stage of graduated licensing, and
two credits towards your high school graduation.

Find an approved course near you»

Full-privilege licence

A driver's licence that is free of the added restrictions normally associated with the learner and novice stage of the driver licensing process. Learn more about getting a full-privilege licence.
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.
Risk

The chance of financial loss.
Supervisor
An adult supervisor of learning drivers who:
- must be 19 or older (25 or older for learners in graduated licensing) and
- hold a valid B.C. licence to drive a:
  - passenger vehicle (Class 5) or
  - commercial vehicle (Class 1, 2, 3 or 4)