Driver licensing

Licence restrictions

Restrictions are placed on a licence to ensure that you can safely operate a motor vehicle based on your own experience, qualifications, specific skills, and abilities.

Restrictions on your licence may be issued by:

  • ICBC - A restriction can be imposed by ICBC as the result of a knowledge test, a road test, or a road signs and signals test.

  • RoadSafetyBC - Restrictions can be added by RoadSafetyBC if the driver has a medical condition, or functional deficit that requires the use of a device or technology to enable them to safely operate a motor vehicle.

  • Regulatory requirements - Restrictions can be included as a part of a regulatory requirement for your licence. For example, a supervisory restriction on a learner licence. 

There may be the option of an appeal, reconsideration or removal a restriction based on which one it is, and who issued it. 

Find your restriction below

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About this restriction

Drivers with this restriction are required to take part in the Ignition Interlock Program (IIP), a remedial program for drivers who receive alcohol-related driving prohibitions.
 
Program participants must install an ignition interlock, a device that prevents a driver from starting a vehicle if they have alcohol in their body, in all of the vehicles that they drive.

How to remove the restriction

You will need to provide an Ignition Interlock Removal Certificate upon successful completion of the Ignition Interlock Program (IIP)

Options for reconsideration

About this restriction

Operation of your motorcycle is permitted between sunrise and sunset only. Passengers are also prohibited on your motorcycle while you have your learner's licence.

How to remove this restriction

Complete a class 6 or 8 road test.

​About this restriction

Operation of your motorcycle is limited to: 

  • driving under direct supervision of an adult who holds a valid class 6 driver's licence

  • a maximum speed of 60 km/h

How to remove this restriction

Pass the Motorcycle Skills Test (MST) to remove this restriction.

About this restriction

You may see this on your licence as a result of a vision screening.

If you have further questions about this restriction, contact RoadSafetyBC at 250-387-7747 or toll-free at 1-855-387-7747.

Options for reconsideration

For more information please refer to requesting a review to reconsider a driver medical fitness decision​.

About this restriction​

Road tests taken on motorcycle of 200cc engine displacement or less, result in restriction 13 (no passengers) to be added onto a licence.

How to remove this restriction

To remove this restriction: 

  • conduct a vision screening

  • pass a traffic signs and lights test 

  • pass a class 6 or 8 road test on a motorcycle with over 200cc engine displacement

Getting your driver's licence back

About this restriction

Restriction 14 may be applied to a licence as a result of a road test. Drivers with this restriction are not permitted to operate a vehicle on highway 99 South of Vancouver, or highway 1 east of Van, or west of highway 9.

How to remove this restriction

Qualify on a re-exam road test.

Getting your driver's licence back

​About this restriction

If you were licensed prior to 1971, then you may see this restriction that pre-dates the current licence classification system.

For others, the restriction may be placed on a class 1 driver’s licence by RoadSafetyBC for fitness reasons.

How to remove this restriction

If the restriction was placed on licence prior to 1971, then a regular class 1 road test can be taken to remove the restriction.

If restriction 16 is placed on a licence for medical reasons refer to RoadSafetyBC.

Getting your driver's licence back

If the restriction is added by RoadSafetyBC for medical reasons

If you have further questions about this restriction, contact RoadSafetyBC at 250-387-7747 or toll-free at 1-855-387-7747.

Options for reconsideration if added by RoadSafetyBC

Please refer to requesting a review to reconsider a driver medical fitness decision​.

About this restriction

If a class 4 road test is completed in a vehicle with a seating capacity of 10 or less adults (including the driver) this restriction limits the driver to operating vehicles of 10 adults or less.

How to remove this restriction

Driver must qualify on a road test in a van or bus that can seat at least 11 adults (including the driver).

Getting your driver's licence back

​How to remove this restriction

In most cases you can come to a driver licensing office and pass a vision test without the use of corrective lenses, for example if you have recently had corrective surgery. If you do not pass this test, and would still like the restriction removed, we will give you a form to take to an optometrist or ophthalmologist and then bring back to our office.

If you have further questions about this restriction contact RoadSafetyBC at 250-387-7747 or toll free at 1-855-387-7747

About this restriction

Code W prohibits the operation of a commercial vehicle in the United States due to a medical condition.

For more information refer to code W for commercial drivers​ on the B.C. government website.

If you have further questions about this restriction contact RoadSafetyBC at 250-387-7747 or toll free at 1-855-387-7747

About this restriction

This restriction applies to class 1-4 licences or endorsements 18-20. It's placed on a licence when a driver requires hearing aids to meet the minimum hearing guidelines.

If you have further questions about this restriction contact RoadSafetyBC at 250-387-7747 or toll free at 1-855-387-7747

About this restriction

​If a road test is taken on motor scooter, then restriction 24 is added to your licence to restrict driving privileges to motor scooters only. Motor Scooters may be any size. 

How to remove

  • Conduct a free vision screening

  • Pass a traffic signs/lights test and

  • Pass a pass a class 6 or class 8 road test on a motorcycle over 200cc.

If the restriction is added for medical reasons please refer to RoadSafetyBC​.

Getting your driver's licence back

Options for reconsideration if added by RoadSafetyBC

Please refer to requesting a review to reconsider a driver medical fitness decision​

If the restriction is added by RoadSafetyBC for medical reasons

If you have further questions about this restriction, contact RoadSafetyBC at 250-387-7747 or toll-free at 1-855-387-7747.

How to remove this restriction

To have the restriction removed, you may complete a road test in order to demonstrate the safe operation of a motor vehicle without the restriction.

Options for reconsideration

If you disagree with the application of a Driver Medical Fitness Restriction, you may submit a completed Reconsideration Application form to the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles requesting a review of the decision.

​How to remove this restriction

To have the restriction removed, you may complete a road test in order to demonstrate the safe operation of a motor vehicle without the restriction.

Options for reconsideration

If you disagree with the application of a Driver Medical Fitness Restriction, you may submit a completed Reconsideration Application form to the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles requesting a review of the decision.

For restrictions issued by RoadSafetyBC

How to remove this restriction

To have the restriction removed, you may complete a road test in order to demonstrate the safe operation of a motor vehicle without the restriction. 

Options for reconsideration

If you disagree with the application of a Driver Medical Fitness Restriction, you may submit a completed Reconsideration Application form to the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles requesting a review of the decision.

For restrictions issued by ICBC

If this restriction was added to your licence prior to 1970 because of a road test taken in an automatic transmission vehicle then please call ICBC to confirm your next steps.

Getting your driver's licence back 

​About this restriction

Restriction 35 is added to a licence when a modified re-exam road test is conducted without the highway or freeway portion of the test.

How to remove this restriction

Qualify on all parts of a re-exam road test.

Getting your driver's licence back 

About this restriction

This restriction is added to a licence when a modified re-exam road test is conducted without the highway or freeway portion of the test.

How to remove this restriction

Qualify on all parts of a re-exam road test.

Getting your driver's licence back 

​About this restriction

Operation of your motorcycle is limited to: 

  • driving under direct supervision of an adult who holds a valid class 6 driver's licence

  • a maximum speed of 60 km/h

How to remove this restriction

Pass the Motorcycle Skills Test (MST) to remove this restriction.

About this restriction​

How to remove this restriction

Pass a class 7 road test.

About this restriction​

How to remove this restriction

Pass a class 7 road test.

About this restriction​

How to remove this restriction

Pass a class 5 road test.

About this restriction​

  • Your L sign restriction

  • 0 blood alcohol content (BAC)

  • 0 blood drug content (BDC)

How to remove this restriction

  • Pass a class 7 road test for a 7L licence.

  • Pass a class 8 road test for a 8L licence.

About this restriction

  • Your N sign restriction

  • 0 blood alcohol content (BAC)

  • 0 blood drug content (BDC)

How to remove this restriction

Pass a class 5 or class 6 road test and exit the graduated learner's program.

About this restriction

Variable conditions allow 51 to be used as either restriction or endorsement. Follow the specific criteria written on your licence.

Restrictions issued by ICBC

  • Commercial Driver Volunteer Only

  • Limited Speed Motorcycles Only

  • Class 6/8 Three Wheeled Motorcycles Only 

How to remove ICBC restrictions

If ICBC added the restriction it may be removed by passing the appropriate road test or by downgrading your licence.

Getting your driver's licence back 

Restrictions issued by RoadSafetyBC

  • Visible low air warning device

  • Hand controls only

  • Class 6/8 restricted to automatic transmission only

How to remove RoadSafetyBC restrictions

To have restriction 51 removed if it's medically related you may complete a road test in order to demonstrate the safe operation of a motor vehicle without the restriction.