Every person with a driver’s license knows the pain of going through the ICBC road tests— both of them.
Regardless, if you want to be a fully-fledged driver, you have to take your Class 5 test next. Although, it’s a total toss-up whether you’ll even be able to book your test, since ICBC themselves have acknowledged the backlog of drivers in the queue to book their exams.
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But things are finally changing.
ICBC Class 5 Road Test Changes
In 2025, Public Safety Minister Garry Begg announced that new legislation will remove the second road test required to move to a Class 5 license. This comes from the aforementioned test backlog that ICBC has been grappling with over the year. Due to an increase in demand and a lack of examiners to go around, some ICBC customers report they have waited up to multiple months just to book their driver’s licensing tests.
The removal of the second test is meant to reduce those waiting times.
Driving Record Assessment
Replacing the second road test will be a Driving Record Assessment, starting October 19, 2026. Provided that you meet all the criteria below, you can upgrade your Class 7 or 7, 8 license to a Class 5 or 5, 6:
- At least 24 months of safe driving (or 18 months, if you’ve completed an approved GLP course during the learner phase) if you’re under 25 years old
- If you take but do not complete an approved GLP course, you’ll still need 24 months of safe driving
- At least 12 months of safe driving if you’re 25 or older
- No convictions for excessive speed or use of electronic devices during that time
- No prohibitions or suspensions during that time
“During the restricted period, drivers will be subject to a zero blood-alcohol and drug restriction and face greater scrutiny than experienced drivers if they receive any violations on their record,” explains a press release from the province. “The new 12-month restricted period will help flag and correct mistakes made by new drivers and ensure they spend more time developing good driving habits on the roads.”
Once you’ve met all the criteria, you can head to your nearest driver licensing office to upgrade your license. This can be done either by appointment or as a walk-in customer.
Gaming the System
Since the legislation’s announcement, more and more N-drivers have elected to delay their final driving test. For some, it is because they have already maintained their novice license for many years, and so a bit more waiting will hardly change anything. For others, it is to avoid doing another test.
Many Redditors have expressed that they are “gaming the system” or have “played the long game” when it comes to their final road test.
What do you think about the new legislation?
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