Driver licensing services for Indigenous customers

A driver’s licence (or a BC Services Card or BCID) is more than just a piece of identification — it can open doors to employment, education, health care, safety, cultural connection and independence, especially for people living in remote and rural areas.

Our work is in its early stages, but we’ve launched three recent improvements: 

A dedicated driver licensing phone line for Indigenous customers

This new phone line is staffed by a team of supportive and knowledgeable ICBC employees who recognize the historical and contemporary barriers Indigenous people face when trying to obtain a B.C. driver’s licence. The phone line opened to the public in January 2025. 

Customers who call the phone line are quickly connected with staff who are prepared to answer their questions and navigate their concerns with respect and care.  

If customers have questions related to another area of ICBC, staff can also connect them with the right team. 

You can reach the phone line: 

• Greater Victoria: 250-978-8307 

• Toll-free in B.C., Canada and the U.S.: 1-844-978-8307 

Its hours of operation are: 

• Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

• Sunday: Closed 

The option to select the gender of a driver examiner 

As of June 2024, customers can select the gender of their driver examiner by calling our driver licensing information line before their road test or when checking in for the road test at a driver licensing office. Customers are never asked to provide a reason for their request. 

This option was introduced as part of our Reconciliation commitments and is intended to create a safer environment for customers who have experienced vehicle-related trauma or gender-based violence. 

ICBC accommodates these requests whenever possible, and if a same-day request for a driver examiner can’t be granted, customers can reschedule their road tests with no late cancellation fees. 

Road test routes that are more culturally sensitive

Until recently, some road test routes passed by potentially triggering locations. ICBC Driver Licensing staff reviewed the routes and modified them to avoid such sites, creating a safer and more comfortable environment for customers taking their road tests.  

We welcome feedback from Indigenous communities and partners to improve the road testing experience for Indigenous customers.

These three improvements are just the start of our Reconciliation journey 

The changes make up a small part of our efforts toward meaningful Reconciliation, which is one of five goals that make up our Moving Together 2031 corporate strategy. 

If you’d like to explore some of the steps we’ve taken so far and the ones we’ll be taking next, we invite you to learn more about Reconciliation at ICBC and the progress of our Reconciliation Action Plan. 

We welcome the opportunity to engage with you. Please email us at [email protected].