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Exception 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
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.

Missing or damaged N sign?

What about tickets and other penalties?

Getting a passenger vehicle licence

The novice stage

Once you pass your Class 7 road test, you are issued a Class 7 novice driver's licence. You advance from the learner to the novice stage of your licensing process.

Note: The Class 7 licence is valid for up to five years.

Novice stage restrictions

There are now only three restrictions. During the novice stage, you must:

display an N sign
We will issue you 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.
not drink and drive
There must be no alcohol in your body when you drive
carry only one passenger
You are limited to one passenger unless you have a supervisor 25 years or older with a valid Class 1 - 5 driver's licence. This restriction does not apply to immediate family members: mother, father, sister, brother, child, spouse, grandparent; including step and foster relationships.

How long is the novice stage?

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

Planning to take a driver education course?

If you successfully complete a GLP-approved driver education course you will be eligible for a six-month reduction in the Novice stage, if you meet certain requirements.