November 25, 2024

As we near the end of November, here’s a friendly reminder to all driving schools, ICBC staff, and industry stakeholders: starting December 1, only the new MV2970, C-series MELT Declaration of Completion (DoC) form will be accepted. Thank you to the many schools that have already made the switch!

For those still making the transition, please note that B-series DoCs presented on or after December 1 will be refused. This could lead to a road test refusal at the counter or a follow-up from ICBC. If you have not received your new DoCs, please contact Driver Training Assessment Standards (DTAS) immediately at 250-978-8370 or toll free at 1-866-339-0363.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and patience during this transition. We’ve received some questions about filling out the new the new DoC, as well as the updated Student Attendance and new Instructor Record forms. We understand these kinds of changes can be challenging, so thank you for reaching out and allowing us to help.

Here are some helpful tips based on the most common questions we’ve received:

Tips for completing the new DoC

Section 1 – Surnames and Given Names

Important: You must enter the student names exactly as they appear on the student’s BC driver’s licence.

Examples to watch out for:

If a student only has one name, enter it in the surname field on the DoC to match their BCDL.

If a student has two surnames, and no given names listed on their driver’s licence, list both names in the surname field on the DoC and leave the given name field blank.

Section 1 – Mailing Address

The mailing address should be the student’s current address as listed on their driver’s licence or on record with ICBC. Remember, it is easy to change your address with ICBC – it can be done in-person or online.

Section 4 – Total Training Hours

Some schools are accidentally tallying all the hours listed under Section 4. This is incorrect. You should only individually list theory hours, on-road hours (auto and/or manual transmission), and flex time hours. To accurately tally the Total Training Hours, add all other in-yard and off-road hours not listed on the form. This number should be at least 140 and align with your student’s records.

Submitting MELT DoCs to ICBC

To ensure that your student’s road test is not cancelled, ICBC must receive a properly completed MELT Declaration of Completion before the student presents for the road test. To avoid the possibility of your student’s road test being cancelled due to errors on the MELT Declaration of Completion, please do one of the following in advance of the road test:

• Mail the completed DoC to ICBC at: Driver Training Industry Support PO Box 3750 Victoria BC V8W 3Y5.

• Drop off the completed DoC at any ICBC Driver Licensing Office.

Declarations containing errors presented at the time of the road will result in cancellation of the road test.

Completing the MELT Student Course Attendance (MV7604) and Instructor Training Record (MV7615)

Using the fillable feature is entirely optional. You can print blank copies of these forms to complete by hand. Some schools choose to use the fillable boxes only for the information at the top, such as the driving school name and student information.

All instructor and student initials must be handwritten: no copies or typed initials are allowed.

If you need additional pages, print blank copies of the page you need. For the MV7604, it is likely page 2.

Again, a huge thanks to everyone as we make the transition to these new documents. All the feedback and questions have been great. It helps inform us as well as you.

If you need help completing any of these three forms, please contact a Driver Education Programs Advisor (DEPA): Mike Collins or Deen Shamsher.

Mike Collins
Driver Education Programs Advisor

October 28, 2024

As we approach the 3-year anniversary of Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT), ICBC is updating the documentation requirements for schools offering MELT and their students. The updates include:

• Updated MELT Declaration of Completion (DoC) (MV2970)

• Updated MELT Student Course Attendance form (MV7604)

• New MELT Instructor Training Records form (MV7615)

These changes aim to ensure thorough and accurate record-keeping for all MELT participants.

Updated MELT Declaration of Completion – MV2970

Schools will automatically receive the updated MV2970 in the mail within the coming week. Please start using these new forms as of October 28, 2024. They will be easy to identify as they will be printed on legal-sized paper (14-inches long) and contain a form number beginning with the letter C, such as C00001. The process for submitting DoCs has not changed. Reminder: You must submit DoCs within 10 days of course completion.

Please return old, unused forms to:

Driver Training Industry Support
PO Box 3750
Victoria BC V8W 3Y5

To ensure there is time for all schools to obtain and begin utilizing the new DoC, ICBC will accept the original forms until November 30th, 2024. After this date, only the new forms will be accepted, and all B-series forms will be invalid. Instructions for filling out the DoC will be found on the back of each copy. A sample copy of the updated MV2970 is attached.

Key changes to the document include:

• Additional space for listing more instructors and the hours each taught.

• Greater flexibility in declaring training hours (e.g., Flexible Hours).

• A comprehensive list of MELT course requirements to confirm.

• Enhanced Declarations for both school and student.

These updates ensure that every student meets and every school delivers all the minimum MELT requirements.

A few helpful tips for completing the new DoC:

• Complete all sections: Remember that all sections must be completed. An exception may be the instructor rows in Section 3 – you may not need to fill out all 9 rows, but all instructors used for that student must sign and be listed.

• Section 4 requirements: The form is not complete unless every “Yes” and “Pass” box is checked.

• Assessment attempts: If a student has failed any first or second assessment attempt, this is fine. However, it is not necessary to check “Fail” provided they have completed the required assessment successfully.

If there are any questions, you don’t need to guess – contact your DSI or a DEPA.

Updated MELT Student Course Attendance – MV7604

The enhanced MELT Student Course Attendance form includes several improvements to better track student progress:

• Improved formatting for students’ personal information.

• Addition of Start Time for each module/lesson taught.

• Requirement for student initials to acknowledge training received.

• An added attendance page without Total Hours, which can be copied and used as needed for better record-keeping.

This updated document will be available on the Driver Training Partners Page for MELT by October 28, 2024, and must be implemented immediately.

Important: The MELT Student Course Attendance form is mandatory for record-keeping for every student and school. Supplementary forms of student record-keeping are permitted in addition to the MV7604.

Note: This form should not be confused with other mandatory MV7604 forms, such as the Assessment Results sheet (MV7604A) and the MELT practical assessment forms (“B” through “H”).

New MELT Instructor Training Record – MV7615

Under Division 27 of the Motor Vehicle Act, all MELT schools must keep records of the training provided by each instructor. While the Student Course Attendance form was introduced with the implementation of MELT, ICBC did not provide a form for recording instructors’ work. To help with mandatory record-keeping, we now require the MELT Instructor Training Record. This form is designed similarly to the Student Course Attendance form for an easier transition.

This document will be available on the Driver Training Partners Page for MELT by October 28, 2024, and must be implemented immediately.

Note: Using this form for every instructor is mandatory for all schools. Supplementary forms of instructor record-keeping are also permitted in addition to the MV7615.

How we can help

If you need help completing any of these three forms, please contact your DSI or a Driver Education Programs Advisor (DEPA) – Mike Collins or Deen Shamsher.

To stay updated with the latest forms and materials, regularly visit the Driver Training Partners Page for MELT. We will soon release updated MELT curriculum resources, including PowerPoint presentations, lesson plans, and assessment documents.

Mike Collins
Driver Education Programs Advisor

July 26, 2024

After 26 years working for ICBC in the Driver Training Industry Support, Jill Apsey has recently retired.

Jill's positive impact to Driver Training Industry will be greatly missed. Luigi Guerra joined the team in May to help in the transition to the role of Acting Manager.

Luigi has been with ICBC for over 20 years almost all in Driver Licensing, with experience in Customer Service and leading Driver Licensing related projects.

Please continue to reach out to Driver Training Industry Support by phone 250-978-8370 / 1-866-339-0363 or email [email protected].

If you to reach out to Luigi directly please email [email protected] or call 250-978-8458.

Thank you.

Jodi Pottery (she/her)

Manager, Driver Licensing Support Services

Business Partners updates launching April 11

March 28, 2024

As a part of our commitment to reconciliation, ICBC allows customers to select the gender of the driver examiner (DE) when attending for a road test. This may reduce the impacts of any in-vehicle related trauma the customer may have experienced.

Whenever a customer attends for a road test and requests a specific gender for the DE, we will accommodate the request if possible. If it is not possible to accommodate the request the same day, we will provide the option to reschedule the road test and send a referral to the supervisor and area licensing manager. Late cancellation fees will not apply.

While this update is a part of ICBC’s commitments to Reconciliation, the option to select the gender of the DE is not limited to Indigenous peoples and Métis. Customers do not need to provide a reason when making a request.

If you have questions, please contact [email protected].

Our commitment to reconciliation

This update is done in support of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) Road to Reconciliation paper.

Information on the history of residential schools in Canada is available through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Please visit Residential School History.

Thank you.

To help keep the day on schedule, we have removed the automatic five-minute buffer when a customer arrives late for their road test appointment. 

When possible, our staff will do their best to accommodate late arrivals. If we are unable to accommodate in the moment, those customers may be added to a standby list or be asked to book an alternate appointment. 

Please ensure your clients check-in 15 minutes prior to their scheduled road test appointment to allow enough time to complete the registration process.

Thank you for understanding.

​Michele Bryan
Director, DL Customer Services

In the spirit of moving all British Columbians forward, WebDEAS has been successfully rebranded by ICBC digital guidelines. We are also excited to share a number of enhancements made to WebDEAS that will improve the experience for customers who are booking and managing appointments.

We've made road test bookings more intuitive

• Customers can search for appointments at their preferred location by the office name.

• There is an option to "View More" slots for up to 24 appointments, and a dedicated filter for Saturday appointments.

• The DL# label on the sign-in page includes both driver's and learner's licenses.

Managing appointments has never been easier

• Appointment confirmation emails can be resent to customers.

• If a driving school booked an appointment, customers are informed why they can’t modify it themselves.

We’ve enhanced the user interface and feedback options

• The calendar has been darkened for enhanced mobile visibility.

• Sortable columns have a neutral icon for more clarity.

• Error messages encountered during the sign-in process for credential issues are clearly differentiated from other issues.

ICBC is increasing driver's licence numbers from seven to eight digits. Existing driver licences with seven digits remain valid and will be gradually updated with a leading "0" to show eight digit numbers as they are renewed or replaced. 

Due to this transition, many ICBC systems, including the Driver Examination Appointment system (DEAS), will be unavailable on Sunday, July 23. Customers will not be able to book, rebook or cancel appointments during this time. All systems will be available again at the start of business day on Monday, July 24 and DEAS will accept both seven digit and eight digit driver's licence numbers. 

Read more about driver licence number changes. If you have any questions, email [email protected].​

Please note that Class 1 MELT students must have their Class 1 learner's driver's licence prior to enrolling.

Students enrolled and trained (including classroom theory)​ prior to obtaining a Class 1 learner's licence will not be allowed to complete a Class 1 road test.​​​​

To enroll in MELT, you must be 19 years of age and:

• Meet all commercial driver record pre-screening requirements, if applicable

• ​Qualify on required knowledge testing and hold a valid B.C. Class 1 learner's licence

• Meet driver medical fitness requirements and Class 1 vision standards

​Effective Monday July 3, Class 7 and Class 5 road tests will be reduced from 45 minutes to 35 minutes.​ With these shortened road tests, we will be increasing road tes​t capacity by 22%.

Road test manoeuver​s

While continuing to focus on road safety, the number of redundant manoeuvers has been reduced. Hazard perception in Class 7 road tests will be completed as part of the general drive and not part of the parking manoeuvre.​ Parallel parking and backing manoeuvers have not changed.​

Outstanding debt

A message will be provided to customers with outstanding debt before they book their road test and driving school instructors who book a road test for their customers will be able to see this message. This messaging is also reflected in the updated Student Consent and Release fo​rm​ (DTC205).

ICBC is planning to launch the Driver's Licence Number Project (DLNP) to increase the length of B.C. driver’s licence numbers from seven digits to eight digits. This email is to advise you of DLNP and what to expect going forward. 

DLNP Go-Live 

Beginning on July 24, new driver's licences will be issued with eight digits. Adding an eighth digit to the driver's licence number will impact many ICBC systems and processes. Basically, any application that references the B.C. driver’s licence number will need to be changed. 

Planned DLNP Outage 

Due to the number of ICBC applications involved in DLNP, an extended system outage is planned for Sunday, July 23, 2023, starting at 3:00 a.m. to go-live with the changes. ICBC expects that its systems and services will resume normal operation by the morning of Monday, July 24, 2023. 

Outage Impacts 

During this planned system outage, the Driver Examination Appointment system (DEAS) will be unavailable. Customers will not be able to book, rebook, or cancel appointments. 

We recognize that this planned system outage may impact your operations. We are sharing this information in advance so you can plan accordingly. 

After DLNP Go-Live 

Existing driver licences with seven digits remain valid. Driver licence cards will be gradually updated to show eight digit numbers as they are renewed or replaced. After DLNP go-live, beginning on July 24, the DEAS booking system will accept either the current seven digit driver's licence number or the new eight digit number. 

You can find more details about DLNP by visiting the Driver Licence Number Changes page on icbc.com. 

If you have any questions, send an email to ICBC at [email protected]​.

May 1, 2023

RoadSafetyBC has resumed issuing age related Driver’s Medical Examination Report (DMER)s to Class 5-8 licence holders. As a result of this resumption, we anticipate that the volume of Enhanced Road Assessment (ERA) referrals will gradually increase as regularly scheduled age medicals are reviewed. Drivers will continue to be referred to the ERA as required.

Upon resumption age DMERs will be issued at age 80, 85, and then every two years following.

Drivers will no longer receive DMERs at age 82 and 84. While RoadSafetyBC previously issued DMERs to drivers of this age, data shows that medical fitness testing is most effective when issued to drivers aged 80, 85, and older. This change reduces pressures on B.C’s healthcare system while keeping B.C.’s roads safe.

Background

Once drivers reach an age where medical conditions that affect driving are more common, they are issued a DMER to assess their medical fitness to drive. Prior to December 16, 2020, the DMER was issued at age 80, then every two years thereafter. In response to COVID-19, all age-related DMERs were halted December 16, 2020, thereby reducing strain on B.C.’s healthcare system.

For more information please email [email protected].

We are updating the criteria to list driving training schools on icbc.com. Effective April 24, 2023, we will list branch offices in a city other than your head office provided that you:

1. Hold an active business licence in the city or municipality where you operate.

2. Submit a $15 duplicate licence fee for each branch office location.

Please send copies of your business licences to [email protected], and pay a $15 duplicate licence fee for each branch office. You can pay with a credit card over the phone by calling 1-866-339-0363, or by mailing in a cheque for the appropriate amount. Cheques are made payable to ICBC.

Once the required information is received, it may take up to 60 days for the branch office location to be listed on icbc.com. Proof of an active business licence for each branch office location is required annually when you renew your driver training school licence.

We have updated our web pages GLP schools (icbc.com) and MELT schools (icbc.com)​ to reflect the change.

It has, again, been brought to our attention that the SmartDriver for Highway Trucking online course is not working. Due to the unreliability of this outside resource, we will again be suspending the MELT and MOC requirement for this course. Our department is working to retool curriculum as a permanent solution to help instructors meet the learning outcomes surrounding fuel efficiency.

Students are still required to achieve the learning outcomes associated with fuel efficiency. Chapter 6 of the MELT Student Guide covers the necessary information to gain a basic understanding of the economic and environmental importance of fuel-efficient driving methods. Instructors may choose to read and discuss this chapter with MELT students and/or Class 1 instructor applicants, as well as share appropriate videos or stories associated with these topics.

If there are any questions, please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected].

Thank you for your attention to this.

Driver Training Industry Support

As we enter into 2023, we will be making changes to the requirements of the Graduated Licensing Program Instructor Course (GLPIC). This course is an introduction to classroom teaching, and successful completion certifies licensed instructors to teach the theory portions of the GLP and Class 1 MELT.

As of Monday, March 27th, 2023, all participants must possess a valid instructor licence before registering for the course. This change will not affect any students already registered for a course.

Possessing a valid instructor licence was an original prerequisite for this course, and was changed to accommodate industry needs. The reason for this change has since been resolved and, as such, we will be reinstating the requirement. With such high demand for the GLPIC, this will help to reduce the number of applicants as this course can no longer be taken before obtaining a practical instructor licence.

We found this to be a viable option for the following reasons:

• Without a practical instructor licence, one cannot immediately use the credentials from this course to teach theory.

• GLPIC students will have an easier time grasping the concepts and verbiage of the class. They will already have exposure to lesson planning and learning outcomes from GLP, as well as the many rules and applications one learns in the practical instructor course that can transfer to classroom lessons.

• This prerequisite will help to open up spots for those needing to teach theory right away.

Note: this change will still allow those with an Air Brakes Instructor Certificate of Qualification to apply, as this designation is necessary for these instructors to teach the MELT air brakes theory. If you have any questions regarding this communication, please contact contact [email protected] or [email protected].

As of March 6, one demerit is deducted if examinees​ cannot physically adjust a manual slack adjuster or ​they cannot verbally describe how to adjust manual and automatic slack adjusters.​ The examinee must be able to adjust manual slack adjusters. If the unit has manuals, they must physically adjust at least one. If the unit has all automatic slack adjusters, the examinee must be able to verbally describe how to adjust manual and automatic slack adjusters.

Note: both Commercial Vehicle Pre-Trip Inspection Test Results – Class 1 or 3 (MV2933) and Commercial Vehicle Pre-Trip Inspection Test Results – Class 2 or 4 Unrestricted (MV2950) forms have been updated. However, we have depleted our current stock of both updated forms and are currently backordered. If necessary, you can use old forms in in certain circumstances (e.g. a customer returning for a Class 1 pre-trip who previously passed the road test and air-brake pre-trip) or modify the old form by changing P/F to a demerit for brake adjustment.

Effective July 3, 2023, Class 7 and Class 5 road tests will be reduced from 45 minutes to 35 minutes.

By shortening these road tests, we will be able to increase the number of tests conducted each day. We have redesigned the on-road portion to reduce the number of duplicated maneuvers, and standardized the pre- and post-test processes.

The shortened road test also aligns our test times with other Canadian jurisdictions.

On March 1, 2023, the new 35 minute road tests will be available on our Driver Examination Appointment system (DEAS) for bookings made for July 3 and onwards. Also on March 1, the booking window will revert to 180 days, which had been temporarily changed in December to 120 days.

Road safety continues to be our priority and we have completed a robust review of the road test and marking criteria. We are confident in the quality of the shorter test and we do not expect this reduction to have impacts on road safety.

As of February 11, 2023, Saturday road tests are offered at the following driver licensing offices (DLOs):

• Abbotsford

• Burnaby

• Kamloops

• Kelowna

• Langley

• North Vancouver

• Point Grey

• Port Coquitlam

• Richmond

• Surrey

• Victoria

Road test demand is growing and will continue to grow in the near future. Having road tests available on Saturdays will help us meet the demand for appointments and reduce road test wait times and offers increased choice and convenience for customers who are not able to visit our offices Monday to Friday. 

The decision to include road tests at these DLOs comes after a successful phased approach of opening on Saturdays for counter services.

Changes to the brake adjustment marking criteria for air brake pre-trip inspection tests will come into effect March 6, 2023.

Currently, air brake pre-trip examinees are marked as a fail for brake adjustment if they cannot adjust brakes when asked to demonstrate ability to adjust a manual slack adjuster. Going forward, one demerit will be deducted if they cannot physically adjust a manual slack adjuster or ​they cannot verbally describe how to adjust manual and automatic slack adjusters.

The examinee must be able to adjust manual slack adjusters. If the unit has manuals, they must physically adjust at least one. If the unit has all automatic slack adjusters, the examinee must be able to verbally describe how to adjust manual and automatic slack adjusters.

If schools would like to offer any instruction online, they must receive written approval from ICBC.

Instructions for driver training - online learning (DTC415)​ provides full details on offering online learning. To apply:

1. Complete the Total Online course Hours Chart (DTC413).

2. Complete the Online and Blended Theory lessons Outline (DTC414).

3. Complete the Rapid eLearning Outline (MV2957) form – applicable to self-paced learning only.

4. Complete the Course Questionnaire.

5. Provide video, videoed classroom lesson information, or both, if applicable.

6. Email your application package to 

   [email protected] or [email protected]. You will be provided with feedback and suggestions to help ensure your course meets minimum requirements.

7. In advance of running the first online course, the instructors running and monitoring the course must demonstrate their ability to effectively use the technology to teach online. This will be done as a short mock class where the instructor will demonstrate the various online features used, with a reviewer participating.

Once the above steps have been satisfactorily completed, you’ll receive written approval to offer a course online. The first course will be monitored by an ICBC reviewer who will provide private feedback at appropriate times. If your school has written approval to teach online for one of your approved courses, this permission does not transfer to other approved courses being taught at the same school. Each course must have its own application and approval.

If your school is offering web-based training in any capacity, without written approval from ICBC, please contact a Driver Education Programs Advisor (DEPA) – Michael Collins or Deen Shamsher – by February 1, 2023.

Any web-based training that occurs after this date will not count towards the approved course. All submissions will be reviewed by a DEPA on a case-by-base basis and in the order they are received.

Please contact a DEPA with any questions.​​

It has recently been brought to our attention that the SmartDriver for Highway Trucking module, found at the National Resources Canada website, is back up and running. As such, Class 1 students are, again, required to complete this online course and submit their certificate before being issued a MELT Declaration of Completion.

To access and complete this MELT requirement, follow these instructions:

1. Go to www.nrcan.gc.ca/home and type the letters "sdht" in the search bar at the top right of the home page, then hit enter.

2. Choose option "SmartDriver Training: Highway Trucking," then scroll down to "Registration" and select "Login/register".

3. Select "English (Canada)," then select "Sign Up" under "New Registration".

4. Enter in your information and create a password (your password must be at least eight characters long and must contain at least one uppercase, one lowercase and one number), then click "Next" to go to "Registration Key".

5. Under "Organization Name," enter the name of your driving school, then click "Next".

6. Under "Training Choice," select SmartDriver for Highway Trucking (SDHT), then "SmartDriver — Fundamentals" and click "Next." Then accept terms of use and click "Sign Up".

7. After completing the module, the driving school must keep a copy of the certificate with the student’s records.

If you require further assistance on this, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].​

ICBC is looking at options to help with the high demand for road tests. In order to develop and test some of the options we need to adjust our booking window in the Driver Examination Appointment system (DEAS) to 120 days.

Using the “low season” to our advantage, we will be making this change on December 20, effective January 1, 2023.

Please note, this change is temporary. Once the test is complete, we will reopen the 180-day booking window. We expect this test to take approximately two months and the full 180-day booking window should reopen around the end of February.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

It has been over a year since Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) for Class 1 was implemented in British Columbia. In that time, it may have been communicated that the use of outside curriculum – such as lesson plans, videos, and other materials – was permitted to supplement or replace parts of what was provided by ICBC.

Effective January 3, 2023, any outside materials used in the teaching of MELT must be approved by a Driver Education Programs Advisor (DEPA). The purpose of this change is to ensure consistency in the quality of MELT training being offered across the province. It is likely that much of the outside material being used is appropriate and we look forward to seeing all the creativity and diversity in curriculum being offered.

Additionally, any online instruction of MELT or MOC sessions must be pre-approved by ICBC. This includes any web-conferencing or self-directed learning units using a Learning Management System (LMS). ​

What do I need to do?

Contact a DEPA before January 3, 2023, to discuss what you are using (or plan to use) to teach MELT.

Be prepared to send links or copies of your materials to ICBC. ​A DEPA will review your materials. They will either approve it or request alternatives or edits.​

Contacts

For help, please contact Mike Collins at [email protected] or 604-831-5514 or Deen Shamsher at [email protected]​ or 604-786-0569.

​Starting on November 19, 2022, five Lower Mainland DLOs will begin offering counter service​ on Saturdays.

• Abbotsford Driver Licensing, 150-31395 South Fraser Way

• Burnaby Driver Licensing, 3380 Lougheed Highway

• North Vancouver Driver Licensing, 1331 Marine Drive

• Port Coquitlam Driver Licensing, 1930 Oxford Connector

• Vancouver Driver Licensing, 4126 Macdonald Street

Initially, pre-booked appointments will be guaranteed service, and walk-ins will be helped as staff availability allows.

It has been brought to our attention that MELT students and Class 1 Instructor applicants are not able to retrieve the passcode necessary for completing the SmartDriver for Highway Trucking online course, through the Natural Resources Canada website. While we work with our partners to remedy this issue, we are temporarily suspending the requirement for MELT students and Class 1 Instructor Trainees to complete this module before receiving a Declaration of Completion or Instructor Course Completion Certificate.

While this suspension applies to this particular online training course, MELT and MOC students are still required to achieve the learning outcomes associated with fuel efficiency. Chapter 6 of the MELT Student Guide covers the information necessary to gain a basic understanding of the economic and environmental importance of fuel-efficient driving methods. Instructors may choose to read and discuss this chapter with MELT students and/or Class 1 instructor applicants, as well as share appropriate videos or stories associated with these topics.

We thank those who have brought this to our attention and will keep you updated as we work on a solution. If you have any questions, please contact Deen Shamsher, Driver Education Programs Advisor, at ​[email protected]​.

​Any student already registered for a Class 1 Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) course and looking to complete their training at another MELT school must formally request the change with ICBC. As we have received some reoccurring questions about the process, please find the relevant information below.

We understand there are rare circumstances when it is absolutely necessary that a student changes schools. Historically, these include situations such a sudden school closure or a student who has experienced unsafe and unwelcome learning environment at their original school, which can include mistreatment by a student or instructor.

Any MELT transfer requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

What you should know

The request must be initiated by the student. In special circumstances, it may come from the original MELT facility or contractor.
Applicants need to:

• Submit a formal request in writing to Mike Collins, Driver Education Programs Advisor (DEPA). This must include explanation as to why a change of MELT school is necessary, to support their request.

• Obtain their MELT school records from the original school.

• Receive written acknowledgement from another MELT school that they are willing to accept them as a student. Note: the new driving school must accept all responsibility for student’s training and issuance of the Declaration of Completion.

• Prepare to undergo a learning assessment from the new MELT school after the transfer is approved. This is to ensure students’ level of training matches their records from the original school.

• The application will be reviewed by a DEPA.

• Final decision is to be made by the Manager, Driver Education Industry Support (DTIS).

• Approval will only be granted under exceptional circumstances.

Note: ICBC is not responsible for any differences in the cost associated with the change of schools.

During the review process, a Driving School Inspector, DEPA, or DTIS manager may reach out to the student and/or driving school for more information.

Requests should come via email; however, written applications may be submitted to:

ICBC Driver Training Industry Support
Attn: Mike Collins
PO Box 3750
Victoria, B.C.  V8W 3Y5

For those curious about similar school transfer requests regarding Air Brakes, GLP, or Instructor Training courses, the process is the same.

If there are further questions regarding MELT school transfers, please reach out to Mike Collins, Driver Education Programs Advisor.

Thank you for your attention to this process!

​The Maple Ridge and Squamish Claim Centres will become Road Test Claim Centres (RTCC). 

As of November 28, 2022, road tests will no longer be completed out of the Maple Ridge Service BC Centre or the Squamish Appointed Agent, and will be transitioned to the following new RTCC locations:

• Squamish RTCC, 38919 Progress Way: Class 4, 5, 7 and Enhanced Road Assessments
  

• Maple Ridge RTCC, 22811 Dewdney Trunk Road: Class 5/7 and 6/8​​

Starting on February 11, 2023, 11 DLOs will conduct road tests on Saturdays for pre-booked appointments.

Appointments will be made available on the DEAS booking system starting Wednesday, October 19, 2022.

• Langley, Unit J7 – 19950 Willowbrook Drive

• Richmond, 402-5300 No. 3 Road

• Surrey, 13426 78th Avenue

• Kamloops, 937 Concordia Way

• Kelowna, 1720 Springfield Road

• Victoria, 1-1150 McKenize Avenue

• Abbotsford, 150-31395 South Fraser Way

• Burnaby, 3880 Lougheed Highway

• North Vancouver, 1331 Marine Drive

• Point Grey, 4126 MacDonald Street

• Port Coquitlam, 1930 Oxford Connector

Please share this information with your staff and encourage them to check for important news and updates on this site.

Thank you.​​

​When Class 1 Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) was adopted in B.C. on October 18, 2021, ICBC waived the requirement for driving schools to conduct a pilot before commencing training. In an effort to be flexible with the schools and current driver shortage, this change was made to allow for the expediting of the application process. Schools were still required to submit an application package. This included an outline showing how they intended to teach the specific material supplied by ICBC. Driving School Inspectors have since begun a wide-ranging effort to conduct course reviews with all MELT-approved schools.

As we approach the one-year anniversary of MELT implementation, changes will be made to the approval process. Applications for MELT will be subject to the same comprehensive approval process as all other ICBC-approved courses.

What does this mean?

As of October 18th, 2022, all new applications for MELT certification must meet the same approval requirements as other courses. This involves:

• requesting an application package

• completing the necessary application forms, including a course outline

• submitting any non-ICBC curriculum materials

• conducting a successful pilot course

Once all elements are completed, schools will be approved to offer MELT.

Curious about MELT?

Learn about teaching Class 1 Mandatory Entry-Level Training​.

How To Apply for MELT Certification​

For any driving school looking to apply for MELT certification, please contact [email protected]​.

Thank you for your support and understanding!​​

​We are pleased to announce that additional GLP Instructor Courses are being offered by the Justice Institute of B.C.:

• March 13-17, 2023, Victoria

• March 27-April 1, 2023, New Westminster

• May 29-June 2, 2023 (registration opening soon), New Westminster

Note: This course is intended for existing instructors looking to acquire a GLT (theory) designation on their instructor’s licence. We strongly encourage individuals to complete an approved Instructor Training Course before registering.

Please share this information with your staff and encourage them to check here for important news and updates.

How to register

If you or your instructors would like to register for this course, please contact the Justice Institute directly at 1-877-528-5591 (toll free) or 604-528-5590 (Greater Vancouver).

More information

If you have any questions regarding the GLP Instructor Course, please contact Mike Collins​, Driver Education Programs Advisor.

To increase convenience and decrease wait times, as of September 10, counter services will be available on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the following DLO locations:

• Kamloops Driver Licensing, 937 Concordia Way

• Kelowna Driver Licensing, 1720 Springfield Road

• Victoria Driver Licensing, 1150 McKenzie Ave

Pre-booked appointments will be required for guaranteed service. Walk-ins (customers without an appointment) will be helped only if customer volumes allow.​

Also, you can call our driver licensing contact centre with any questions you may have.

ICBC is reintroducing standby road tests at ICBC driver licensing offices (DLOs) and Road Test Claim Centres (RTCCs) from Monday to Friday. Customers without an appointment will have the opportunity to take a standby road test as determined by a random draw system.

To participate in the random draw customers must be in line during the times below:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - no earlier that 8 a.m. and no later than 8:30 a.m.

• Wednesday - no earlier than 8:30 a.m. and no later than 9 a.m.

How the random draw for standby road tests will work

To be eligible for the random draw the customer must:

• Arrive at the office during the allocated time and line up in the designated area.

• Remain present and cannot have someone hold their spot.

• Have the vehicle they are driving at the location.

When the office opens for the day, the random draw will take place. Customers will be randomly selected for the number of available spots, then put on the standby list in the order drawn.

For more information, check the Book a road test page or call our driver licensing contact centre.​

Canadian Class 1 holders with 24+ months of consecutive experience are exempt from B.C. MELT requirements

All Canadian Class 1 holders who have 24 months or more consecutive Class 1 experience and active within the last three years are exempt from all MELT requirements. ICBC will issue them a Class 1 BCDL.

Now included in this exemption are Ontario Class 1 holders with 24 months or more where we have previously advised that an additional combined-unit B.C. Class 1 air brake training course was needed (15.5 hours of air brake theory and practical training by a MELT approved air brake certification facility).

Ontario drivers who were previously issued a Class 23 BCDL licence may attend a Driver Licensing Office and be immediately upgraded to a Class 1 without having to show proof of B.C. air brakes training and testing.

The requirement to take B.C. air brake training remains in effect for those with an Ontario licence with less than 24 months of consecutive Class 1 experience.​

In an effort to improve customer choice and reduce wait times for counter transactions and knowledge tests, starting on Tuesday April 19, 2022 all ICBC Driver Licensing Offices (DLOs) will:

• offer dedicated times for walk-in counter appointments between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., and

• allow standby knowledge tests throughout the day based on availability. 

There will be no changes to how appointments for counter services and knowledge tests are managed at ServiceBC and appointed agent locations. 

Dedicated times for walk-in counter appointments

The hours of 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Monday to Friday, and on Saturday for ICBC DLOs that are open that day, will be reserved for walk-in customers who have counter transactions. Appointments will be required for the remainder of the day.

• Exception: Metrotown DLO will offer walk-in counter appointments between the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday to Saturday.

Standby knowledge test appointments

Starting on Tuesday April 19, ICBC DLOs that are currently conducting knowledge tests will introduce standby appointments. Knowledge test walk-in customers may be accommodated upon their arrival throughout the day based on the availability of appointments.

Standby knowledge tests are not guaranteed, but ICBC DLOs will do their best to accommodate walk-in knowledge tests to the best their ability, when they have capacity.

Reminder: Prince George DLO, Chilliwack Claims and Road Test Claim Centre (RTCC) sites conduct road testing only. Knowledge tests and counter transactions are not conducted at these locations. ​

Driving school use of driver licensing office parking lots

ICBC is reminding driver training instructors attending our offices not to use our parking lots for training purposes during business hours. In particular, instructors are being advised to not use the parking spots in front of the building — these are reserved for ICBC driver examiners to test an examinee's ability to complete a reverse stall park maneuver during a passenger vehicle road test.

A number of driver training schools continue to use our parking lots for student training, practicing and parking during business hours.

As stated in previous communications to schools, keeping the parking lots clear of unnecessary vehicle traffic reduces the high volume of activity in our lots and helps keep our customers and employees safe. It also ensures customers with pre-arranged appointments or who are in need of immediate service will have priority access to parking spots.

Section 8 of the industry Code of Conduct states:​​

​“Driver training instructors will not practice in or otherwise use parking lots at ICBC offices during business hours, except for parking, as required, to attend a road test appointment or for legitimate personal business, such as an instructor's own licensing transactions."

Effective immediately

ICBC will be enforcing this code of conduct requirement. A driver training school in violation of this requirement may receive an immediate suspension of their road test booking privileges.

To avoid any interruption to a school's driver training operation, we are asking that instructors attending our driver licensing offices respect the parking lot restriction.

Please take a moment to review the driver training industry Code of Conduct​ (DTC410) to re-familiarize yourself with the requirements.​

Driver Licensing number project (DLNP) - Going to an 8 digit DL number in late 2023

Changes are coming to driver's licence numbers for British Columbia. ICBC will run out of seven digit driver's licence numbers in 2023 and in preparation, we will increase the length of driver's licence numbers from 7 digits to 8 digits by the fall of 2023.

We believe these changes may impact you and ICBC would like to share further information with you. Please review a short recorded information session here so you're prepared to make any changes required to accommodate the additional digit.

If you would like to receive project updates please complete our contact form.

You can also visit the Driver Licence Number Changes page on icbc.com for more information and to access the presentation slides.

If you have any questions on these changes please email [email protected]

Additional GLP instructor course in May

We are pleased to announce that an additional GLP instructor course is being offered in May.

When: May 2 to May 6, 2022

Where: Justice Institute — Kelowna B.C.

How to register

If you or your instructors would like to register for this course, please contact the Justice Institute directly.

Justice Institute of BC
715 McBride Boulevard
New Westminster BC V3L 5T4

Phone
604-528-5590

Need more information? Learn about taking the GLP instructor course.

Please share this information with your staff and encourage them to check for important news and updates on our driver training web site icbc.com/partners/driver-training.

There are changes coming to the B.C. Driver's Licences, B.C. Identification Cards and B.C. Services Cards.

ICBC has a new card provider for issuing B.C. Driver's Licences, B.C. Identification Cards and B.C. Services Cards. Starting in late January 2022, the new cards will be issued to customers who are renewing or replacing cards or that are being issued a new card. The new cards will be similar to the current ones with some exceptions to the design including a glossy finish and repositioning of some of the data fields. The key points to know are (1) existing cards remain valid until their expiry date and (2) there is no need for you or one of your students to replace an existing card unless they are lost, damaged or stolen. Additional information regarding these changes is assessable from ICBC's Business Partners page: Licensing & ID. 

Further questions or comments regarding these changes should be directed to: [email protected]

We're excited to let you know of a new app that ICBC is launching, geared at helping new and inexperienced drivers improve their hazard perception skills.

Street Sense is an interactive learning experience that aims to enhance situational awareness by presenting hazards in driving scenarios in a safe, repeatable, and consistent way.

The app, which features detailed scenarios based on conditions and situations specific to British Columbia, takes users through 3D-animated scenarios and can be used on multiple devices, including mobile (iOS and Android), as a PC download, via web browser (coming soon) and virtual reality headsets (coming soon).

Users can accumulate points for completing different driving scenarios and receive expert advice on how to drive safely.

Knowing how to identify and safely avoid hazards is an essential part of learning to be a safe driver, and it's important to note that using Street Sense does not replace gaining practical driving experience.

The app offers an opportunity to virtually experience a range of driving situations to better prepare drivers before they get behind the wheel – a tool that can be especially useful for learners, novice drivers and those new to B.C.​​

Street Sense was developed with you in mind. We appreciate the engagement and early feedback from a diverse group of driver training schools during the development phase – your collaboration is helping us continue to advance our services to all British Columbians.

You can access the tool through icbc.com/streetsense. We encourage you to try it out and share with your students, and we welcome your comments on the tool via the feedback form in the app. At this time, we're sharing details about Street Sense with driving schools and ICBC employees, but look forward to promoting it further in the coming weeks.

Street Sense is one of the many ways we're moving road safety forward, preventing crashes and maximizing road safety for all British Columbians.

Completing the Class 1 MELT Declaration of Completion accurately and completely

All applicants for a B.C. Class 1 driver's licence are now required to provide a Class 1 Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) Declaration of Completion (MV2970 form) to ICBC prior to attempting a Class 1 road test.​

The driver training school must provide the Student portion of the MELT Declaration of Completion (DoC) to the student and must mail the ICBC portion of the MELT DoC to ICBC within ten business days of issuance. The mailing address is:

ICBC Driver Training Industry Support
PO Box 3750
Victoria BC V8W 3Y5

ICBC will review the MELT DoC prior to the student making an application for a Class 1 driver's licence. If the DoC is not completed accurately or does not indicate that the student has completed the required training, ICBC may cancel the DoC and the student will not be able to attempt a road test.

ICBC may cancel a DoC if:

a) the DoC was issued despite the student not having satisfied a MELT requirement;

b) the DoC was issued by mistake; or

c) the DoC has an error in the information on the DoC.

ICBC will notify the driver training school and the student of the DoC cancellation. If a DoC is cancelled, the student will not be permitted to attempt a Class 1 road test, even if the road test has been booked or the student is at the driver licensing office at the time the error is identified.

If a student has been issued a Class 1 driver's licence but subsequently had their MELT DoC cancelled, the driver's licence may also be cancelled.

When a DoC has been cancelled, the driver training school which conducted the training must resolve any deficiencies in the requirements for MELT. The school may not issue another DoC until the student has satisfied the requirements for MELT. If a DoC has been cancelled because it was issued with an error in the information, the driver training school must correct the error(s) and issue a new MELT DoC, providing the student portion to the student and the ICBC portion to ICBC.

A student may only road test, or have a cancelled Class 1 driver's licence reissued, if an acceptable DoC has been reissued by the school which satisfies ICBC that the student has met the MELT requirements.

ICBC will cancel the DoC if any of the information identified in the Appendix is incomplete or captured incorrectly.

As the consequences of a cancelled DoC can be substantial, possibly including having the student's driver's licence cancelled, driver training schools must complete the DoC accurately and completely and submit it in a timely manner to ICBC to enable the DoC to be reviewed prior to the student's road test.

If your school needs assistance in completing the DoC form please reach out to ICBC DTIS at [email protected] for assistance. ICBC is committed to working together with driver training schools to ensure that a DoC is competed accurately and in a timely manner.

Thank you for your attention to this process,

Craig Stirling

Manager, Driver Training and Industry Support

The last piece of the older DTCBC website has now been retired. The DTI Stakeholder Community website was a place where Driver Training Schools logged into a secure area and could then view various information on programs and initiatives administered by ICBC's Driver Training Industry Support. The site was designed as a collaborative area to help with the implementation of larger programs such as GLP.

With the move to our new icbc.com/drivertraining home and the successful implementation of the MELT project without using the Stakeholder Community site, this secure area is rarely used and is being retired. 

Driver Training Industry Support will continue to engage with our industry partners and to support them in helping to deliver driver training programs to keep B.C. roads safe. 

Please share this information with your staff and encourage them to check for important news and updates on our driver training web site icbc.com/partners/driver-training.

Thank you,

Craig Stirling
Manager Driver Training Industry Support

Effective Tuesday November 9, 2021 the lists of driver training schools on this website will be limited to a driving school's head office only and will not include any branch offices throughout the province

The purpose of these lists are for customers to confirm your driving school and any other approved certification courses you provide (GLP, MELT, Air Brakes etc…)

So that customers do not get confused with the list, we will be adding a note to the top of the three school list pages (all schools, GLP and MELT) explaining that the office listed is a head office location only and to search the web for driver training schools located where you wish to train.

Thank you.

Craig Stirling
Driver Training Industry Support Manager 

Class 1 MELT implementation; changes to the ICBC-approved air brake course & certification program

This past summer, ICBC announced upcoming changes to its Class 1 and air brake knowledge tests to support B.C.'s Class 1 Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) requirement.

If you are a commercial driver training school, an air brake certification facility, or an air brake school, you will need to be aware of the following key changes to air brake training requirements in B.C.

Single-unit air brake course

On Monday, October 18, 2021, ICBC will replace the existing 16 hour air brake course and 20 hour air brake certification program with a new training stream for drivers of single-unit air brake equipped vehicles. These changes align with the new single-unit air brake knowledge test that better targets the vehicles these drivers will be operating.

The change applies to those with a Class 2, 3, 4 or 5/7 driver's licence who are applying for an air brake endorsement.

Applicants for an air brake endorsement to operate a single-unit vehicle (e.g., buses) must complete the new 7 hour air brake theory course before being issued an air brake course card to take the new single-unit air brake knowledge test.

A new 11 hour single-unit air brake certification program is replacing the current 20 hour certification program. Air brake certification facilities will be required to deliver a new 7 hour air brake theory course, as well as 4 hours of practical air brake training, totaling 11 hours.

An air brake school or certification facility may choose to offer longer theory and practical training hours, but the minimum hours listed above must be taught. The practical training time of 4 hours includes the required air brake assessment(s).

ICBC will provide updated Certification Facility Agreements toward the end of October 2021 and an updated ICBC Driver Certification form (MV2067) to its air brake certification facility partners in late December 2021. 

During this transition, ICBC driver licensing offices will accept an air brake course card that displays either the current 16 hour air brake course or the new 7 hour air brake course.

Air brake certification facilities may continue to deliver the existing 20 hour air brake certification, as they transition to delivering the new 11 hour single-unit air brake certification. In the meantime, facilities may continue to operate under their current Certification Facility Agreements and use the existing MV2067 stock they have on-hand.

Please ensure the number of practical and theory hours is clearly labelled on the ICBC Driver Certification form (MV2067), to indicate whether the student has completed the new single-unit air brake certification. An air brake course card must state the number of theory hours completed (e.g., 16 hours or 7 hours).

Class 1 driver's licence applicants and air brake training

The Class 1 MELT course contains all necessary air brake training for Class 1 driver's licence applicants - it targets both single-unit and combination-unit vehicles equipped with air brakes, and includes the following minimum hours:

Only Class 1 driver training schools approved to deliver the Class 1 MELT course may provide air brake theory and practical training to a Class 1 driver's licence applicant, as part of the Class 1 MELT course.

However, in the case of new B.C. Class 1 driver's licence applicants who have completed an Ontario Class A (1) MELT course, they must first complete the 15.5 hours of air brake theory and practical training for a combination-unit vehicle in order to have their Ontario Class A (1) MELT course accepted in lieu of the B.C. Class 1 MELT course. 

This training must take place at an air brake certification facility, OR it may be taken at a Class 1 driver training school approved to deliver the B.C. Class 1 MELT course, providing that school is approved by ICBC to deliver air brake certification.

ICBC will provide these applicants with a B.C. driver's licence number that may be recorded on the ICBC Driver Certification form (MV2067), as most of these applicants may still hold an Ontario Class A (1) driver's licence at the time they enrol in and complete the certification.

Important: Past air brake training taken as part of B.C.'s 16 hour air brake course or 20 hour air brake certification program does not replace the requirement to complete all modules of the Class 1 MELT course, which includes the air brake training hours above.

Those who choose to complete the new 11 hour single-unit air brake certification program will only be eligible to receive an air brake endorsement on their Class 2, 3, 4, or 5/7 driver's licence. This training will not count toward air brake training for a Class 1 driver's licence.

Air brake training course material

If you are an air brake school or an air brake certification facility who will be offering the new single-unit air brake course, or who will be providing air brake certification for a combination-unit vehicle for those applicants who have completed an Ontario Class A (1) MELT course, you will find the lesson plans and presentation slides within the Class 1 MELT course materials at: Teach Class 1 mandatory entry-level training

You may use additional materials to those provided in the link above. However, the Learning Outcomes and Performance Indicators in Module 10 of the B.C. Class 1 MELT Program: Course Standards and Curriculum Framework must be taught, as applicable to the vehicle configuration equipped with air brakes. This information is also available in the above link.

Updates to ICBC's Driving Commercial Vehicles (DCV) Guide

As a result of changes to air brake knowledge testing requirements for all drivers, ICBC has updated the list of study chapters in its ICBC Driving Commercial Vehicles (DCV) Guide. The content of this guide is otherwise unchanged.

ICBC is providing an updated chapter study insert for the DCV Guide. Please print the attached insert and add it to any printed copies of the DCV Guide that you have on-hand.

The electronic version of the DCV Guide, available on icbc.com, has been updated. New print copies of the DCV Guide will also reflect the updates.

Important: Starting October 18, 2021, students who are taking their combined Class 1 and air brake knowledge test or the new single-unit air brakes knowledge test should be advised of these new study requirements.

The Class 1 MELT course will be a requirement in B.C., starting Monday October 18, 2021, and we want to thank you for your commitment to safer roads.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact your driving school inspector.​

Government news release today on Mandatory Entry Level Training for Class 1 drivers and how it will improve safety.  

Mandatory training will improve safety for commercial
drivers | BC Gov News​

A reminder that the B.C. government declared a holiday this year on September 30th for all provincial public sector employees to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

ICBC locations and the Driver Licensing call centre (DLCCV) will be closed on Thursday September 30th and re-opening with normal business hours on the Friday.

We encourage our ICBC employees, partners and customers to do what we can to listen and learn about how we can advance reconciliation with indigenous peoples, and in doing so, help create a better, more inclusive British Columbia.

We have rebooked all driver licensing customer appointments, including road tests that were made for September 30th.​

​September 15

Effective Monday September 20 2021, road testing at all Service BC locations will transition to normal capacity which allows for up to nine Class 5/7 tests in a day. This is part of our continued effort to return operations to pre-COVID levels and to serve more customers waiting for their road tests.

To accommodate nine tests in a day the first tests need to start as early as 8:35 a.m. in the morning. As Service BC offices are not open to customers until 9:00 a.m., setting up and taking payment for the road test in the office is not possible. A modified road testing process is being put in place for these first road tests.

Due to possible inclement weather for an attending supervisor or school instructor who will not be able to enter the office, these early road test appointments will generally be unavailable for Class 7 and Enhanced Road Assessments (ERAs).

The last business day before the road test, the driver examiner will contact your office or your student (whoever we have on file from the booking) to arrange where to meet at the Service BC office and to remind them to bring appropriate testing and licence fees.

Road testing and interim licence issuance will proceed if there are any outstanding fines for your clients; however, photo licences will be held until their debts are resolved.  Road tests will be cancelled if your client has any current or outstanding prohibitions. 

Note: Driver examiners will not disclose or discuss any information about customer fines or prohibitions with anyone but the examinee. If your customer is unsure about the status of their licence they may attend the office or call us during regular business hours.

As most driver licensing offices are booked out several weeks or months in advance, these early morning bookings will come into effect as the fall and winter progresses and more time slots are opened up.​

September 1

​We have moved from the old dtcbc.com site which was built on older web technology and is not user friendly when on a smart phone or tablet.

This new site has the same information and resources with a more advanced search engine that should improve your search results. We welcome your feedback or comments on this new site.  Use our Contact Us web form​

​July 16 2021

The requirement for Class 1 commercial driver’s licence applicants to successfully complete B.C.’s Class 1 Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) course will start October 18, 2021 - about three months away.

To support the new requirement, we’ll be making changes to the Class 1 and air brake knowledge test process.

• Currently, Class 1 applicants must take two separate knowledge tests. To streamline this process, effective October 18, 2021, the Class 1 and air brake knowledge tests will be combined into one test. The air brake and Class 1 knowledge test content will not change, and the fee for taking the test will remain $15.

• Currently, Class 1 applicants enrolled in an air brake training course are issued an air brake course card, valid for 3 attempts on the existing air brake knowledge test. However, effective October 18, 2021, the course card requirement will no longer be necessary for this group of students. These students will complete the new combined Class 1 and air brake knowledge test, followed by the Class 1 MELT course, which includes air brake training.

What this means for your Class 1 students:

Leading up to October 18, 2021, some students may have passed either the Class 1 knowledge test or the air brake knowledge test, but not both. Please inform students that starting October 18, 2021, if they have not passed both the Class 1 and air brake knowledge tests, they will be required to complete the new combined Class 1 and air brake knowledge test to be issued a Class 1 learner driver’s licence prior to enrolling in MELT.

Students previously issued a Class 1 learner driver’s licence with a complimentary air brake endorsement prior to passing an air brake knowledge test, will need to qualify on the new combined Class 1 and air brake knowledge test so that they may be re-issued a Class 1 learner driver’s licence. If the student is unsuccessful on the new combined knowledge test, they will be required to surrender the previously issued Class 1 learner driver’s licence.

If you are a driver training school that will begin to offer the Class 1 MELT course before October 18, 2021, you must continue to issue an air brake course card up to October 18, 2021 upon a student’s completion of the air brake training portion to allow them to attempt the existing air brake knowledge test.

What this means for your Class 2, 3, 4, 5/7 students applying for an air brake endorsement:

Starting October 18, 2021, those with a Class 2, 3, 4 or 5/7 driver’s licence who are applying for an air brake endorsement will be required to complete an air brake knowledge test specific to single-unit air brake equipped vehicles. This testing content better targets the vehicle configuration they will be operating.
The “single-unit” air brake knowledge test will remain a stand-alone knowledge test for this group of drivers and the fee will remain $15. There are no changes to the air brake course card requirement, limiting the applicant to 3 attempts per card.

If your student attempts the current air brake knowledge test on a course card issued prior to October 18, 2021 and is unsuccessful, they may use any remaining attempts on the card to take the new single-unit air brake knowledge test after October 18, 2021.

Additional information on air brake training and testing requirements will be provided in early Fall 2021.

July 14 2021

Thank you for your ongoing support and patience as we return to normal operations under the B.C. Restart Plan.

We are very happy to introduce Craig Stirling as our new Driver Training Industry Support Manager. Craig joined ICBC more than 20 years ago and has worked in a number of different roles during his career. Craig was preceded by Dylan Michael, who recently took on a new position within ICBC.

We’ve been busy getting ready to implement Class 1 Mandatory Entry-Level Training, and now we’ll be picking up work that was put on hold due to the pandemic. Please note that driving school inspectors will focus on prioritizing new requests while balancing other work.

We are pleased to support you as we move the driver training industry forward.

June 22, 2021

​An upgrade to the WebDEAS road test booking application used by the driver training industry is being rolled out on Friday June 25. The changes we have made are based on feedback from the Driver Training industry when we introduced the new WebDEAS interface last November. The updates have added important new features to help meet your needs to manage and book road tests online.

New Manage Appointments page lists upcoming appointments for all of your students
When you log in to WebDEAS you will see an enhanced administrator page that displays all upcoming appointments booked by your school for all of your students. You will be able to locate any particular student by searching either their name or driver’s licence number. Only one sign in is required to view, add and manage your bookings!

Ability for GLP approved schools to swap or re-assign class 5/7 appointments online
A new swapping and re-assignment function will allow you to swap appointments for those students who have completed their certified GLP program. If you have two students with booked appointments you may swap their road tests. If you wish to reassign an existing road test to another eligible GLP certified student you may do so. Appointments may be changed right up until the road test appointment time.

As of June 25 2021, swaps or re-assigned bookings may only be done online and not at the driver licensing office. A reminder that the student’s certification documents must have been registered on system with ICBC in order for you to enable the swap or re-assign an appointment.

Printing of appointment confirmation
After the upgrade a driving school will see a print option in the application so you may print off their confirmation of booking. As per the current application, all of these features are editable when viewing on a mobile device or tablet. This will enable you to manage your appointments right up until the road test time even if you are waiting at an office.

Prior to the release of this upgrade we invited a few schools to participate in user testing. Initial feedback has been that the system is now easier and faster to use. ​​

​May 3 2021

Starting June 1, 2021, ICBC will require all driver training schools and instructor training facilities to retain their student and instructor training records for a period of six years, for all types of driver training programs being delivered. Changes take effect for records created on or after June 1, 2021.

These changes support implementation of the B.C. Class 1 MELT course and align the record keeping requirements for all driver training schools and instructor training facilities. Prior to June 1, 2021, industry has been required to retain its records for three years under Division 27 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations.

As well, regulatory amendments have been introduced to clarify that driver training schools and instructor training facilities are required to keep records of each instructor who is employed or contracted by the driver training school or instructor training facility. These records must also be kept for 6 years.

Changes will not take effect in Division 27 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations until June 1, 2021. Please refer to the B.C. order-in-council #208, passed on March 31, 2021, to become familiar with the requirements before they come into force.​​

April 21, 2021

ICBC is developing a new online tool for drivers and we’d like to get input and feedback from a number of driving schools. We‘re hoping to engage with you during April, May and June which would involve a few online meetings to provide feedback on the online tool.

Time commitment:

• April: one to two online meetings during business hours.

• May and June: approximately five hours each month to provide feedback on the online tool. Days and times are flexible.

• July and August (to be determined): one to two meetings each month during business hours.

Technical requirements:

• Desktop or laptop computer with internet connection

• Internet browser (Firefox recommended but other browsers can be used too).

Depending on the level of interest, we may not be able to accommodate all those that respond and we will do our best to select participants from a diverse group of driving schools around the province.

If you are interested in participating, please contact us​ by email with the subject line “Feedback on new online tool” by Thursday, April 22, 2021. We will be in touch with selected participants.

Thank you for your help and collaboration as we continue to advance our services to all British Columbians.​​

March 19, 2021

In September 2020, driver training schools that deliver an ICBC (GLP)-approved driver education course were advised that they may swap a student for another student at time of road test if both are enrolled in the school’s approved course and the original road test booking was made by your school.
If you wish to swap a student for a road test, follow these important guidelines:

1. When your instructors attends a driver licensing office and intends to swap students for a booking, go to the service counter with your student at road test set-up to provide information on the originally booked student.
   
   No proof of approved course enrollment is required when attending with an alternate student; however, ICBC will record the swap for tracking purposes and you’ll be asked to provide a reason.

2. Use student swapping sparingly such as when the original booked student is sick or you have determined they are not prepared for their road test.

3. Ensure that tracking sheets are kept confidential and no information is shared between students.

4. Any future road test appointments for students that have passed their road test need to be cancelled.​​​

​March 3, 2021

You can add a substitute learner contact to a non-fleet driving school policy to eliminate the risk of Unlisted Driver Accident Premium if an unlisted learner has an at-fault crash.

Adding a substitute learner contact for multiple driving students can be discussed with your Autoplan Broker during your next insurance renewal. This option is available to all driving schools and provides the benefits of:

• not having to list and remove every learner driver who uses a school's vehicle, and

• protection from an Unlisted Driver Accident Premium (UDAP), should one of your learner drivers cause a crash while operating a school vehicle.

Using a substitute learner contact does not protect your school from increases in Unlisted Driver Protection (UDP) premium – ask your broker about this coverage. Also, driving schools are recommended to list all employees who may drive the vehicle.

Please also remind your customers to list new drivers in their insurance policy to ensure appropriate coverage.​

​January 28, 2021

To limit the number of customers entering our driver licensing offices (DLO) during the pandemic, we ask that driver training schools not attend a DLO to obtain a further supply of driving guides.

Schools that require additional driving guides must now submit their request by email to [email protected].

To ensure that all schools have an adequate supply of driving guides for enrolled students, ICBC may place limits on the amount of guides distributed.

If you are waiting for your supply of guides to arrive but your inventory is running low, digital pdf versions of ICBC guides can be accessed from the Driving guides page ​on icbc.com.​​

January 28, 2021

The North Vancouver Driver Licensing Office is moving.

The new location at 1331 Marine Drive (Norgate Plaza Shopping Centre) is about 4 kilometres west of our current location and opens at 12:00 p.m., March 1, 2021.

The current location on East 13th Street will close at the end of day Thursday, February 25 and neither location will be open on Friday, February 26, to allow for the move. Our new office is centrally located for North and West Vancouver residents, is conveniently accessible by transit and has increased floor space to support the population growth in the community. In addition, there is dedicated parking for road test appointments and plenty of customer parking.

We will offer the same services and road tests at the new location.​

January 18, 2021

B.C. is phasing out the Enhanced Driver's Licence (EDL) and Enhanced Identification Card (EIC) program, originally offered to ease entry into the U.S.

For further details, refer to the news release on the BC Government website.​

​November 12, 2020

An updated release of the online Road Test Booking Service (WebDEAS) will be deployed this evening (Thursday, November 12, 2020) at 9:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. WebDEAS will be unavailable during this time.

This release of WebDEAS provides a number of fixes and enhancements, including the following:

• The driver’s earliest exam date (EED) will now display in the book appointment tab.

• An updated message will be displayed clarifying when the driver is not eligible to book a road test.

• Search improvements that include searching an appointment by start date.

• Updates to the user interface that allows schools to change their password online.

Further improvements will continue to be reviewed and developed over the coming months, and we welcome your continued feedback on the application.​​

November 6, 2020

Starting next week, there will be signage at our ICBC offices that asks customers to wear a mask. We are asking you and the customers you are accompanying to please wear a mask when visiting an ICBC location, as an extra layer of protection to help continue to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

We are asking you and the customers you are accompanying to please wear a mask when visiting an ICBC location, as an extra layer of protection to help continue to prevent the spread of COVID-19.​​

October 2, 2020

As ICBC has now resumed passenger vehicle road tests, we would like to remind you that that due to office occupancy limits, our driver examiners are performing the road test debrief outside at the vehicle immediately after each test. 

Instructors are welcome to be present to greet their students before the test and for the debrief, but cannot accompany the student into the office. If you are attending a road test at an ICBC claim centre, you may accompany the student into the drive tube but will be asked to wait outside once the driver examiner has greeted your student.

If you wish to be present for the debrief please be available by the car immediately following the test. The driver examiner and your student will be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment during the debrief. Please maintain physical distancing of 2 metres (6 feet) at all times.

A reminder that if an instructor is adjusting road test bookings for students enrolled in an ICBC-approved course, they are still required to go to the service counter with their student at road test set-up to provide information on the originally booked student.

After the road test set up is complete, they must leave the office and wait outside while the road test is being conducted. After the road test, the instructor may join their student for the debrief.​​

September 23, 2020

As a pilot initiative for the next six months, driver training schools that deliver an ICBC (GLP)-approved driver education course may swap a student for another student at time of road test if both are enrolled in the school’s approved course and the original road test booking was made by your school. This should provide GLP schools with more flexibility in the event that the originally booked student is unable or not ready to take their road test.

When your instructors attend a driver licensing office and intends to swap students for a booking, they'll be required to go to the service counter with their student at road test set-up to provide information on the originally booked student.

No proof of approved course enrollment is required when attending with an alternate student; however, ICBC will record the swap for tracking purposes and you’ll be asked to provide a reason. 

Please note that we expect your school to use this sparingly such as when the original booked student is sick or you have determined they are not prepared for their road test. If after the six month pilot ICBC finds that this process is working well, a determination will be made on making it a permanent change.

Swapping of road tests will not be allowed for any other students or road test types.

September 14, 2020

On Tuesday September 15 at about 9:00 a.m., we’ll be introducing a new online road test booking system. 

The web link (URL) to the new application will be available Tuesday morning September 15, and can be accessed from the ICBC partners site. 

An updated online booking site for the public will be launched within the next couple of weeks.

Benefits of the new appointment system

Improved user experience and interface — The new application enables driving schools and individuals to search for available appointments.

• You can filter searches for all appointments available within a search radius up to 150 km of their location.

• You can search by either city or full address.

• You can filter appointment availability by days of the week and can also use the map view to help search for appointments.

Responsive design — The new application is also mobile friendly. It’s built with a responsive web design so the user experience is optimized for a range of device types and sizes.

Manage your password

You do not have to change your password to use the new WebDEAS app – your current password does not expire.

If you want to change your password for any reason, it’s important to note that the new WebDEAS app does not yet have the functionality to change your password. This won’t be available until the next release of WebDEAS. In the meantime, there are two ways you can change your password:

• Open the Driver Training Stakeholder Web authentication page​ and click the Change Password link at the bottom of the page.

• You can also change your password by calling the ICBC Service Desk in Victoria at 604-661-6234, or toll free at 1-800-665-1517.

After you change your password, open the WebDEAS app to sign in using your new password.
To assist you is using the new and improved booking application, refer to the WebDEAS use​r guide.

September 10, 2020

We continue to update our health and safety procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For your reference, here are the Health and Safe​ty Guidelines​ being used by our driving school inspectors and investigators while conducting assessments, evaluations and inspections.

​September 4, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some students were prevented from completing their ICBC-approved driver education course within the required 365 day time frame due to temporary school closures where driver training stopped. The maximum duration requirement of 365 days for GLP students who began an ICBC-approved driver education course between March 17, 2019 and March 31, 2020 is being extended an additional 180 days to 545 days.

There is no change to the current process for GLP-approved driver training schools. Please continue to give your students the Declaration of Completion (MV2910) forms and hand them in at the driver licensing offices. These forms will be sent to Driver Training Industry Support (DTIS) in Victoria for review and processing.​​

September 2, 2020

Please remind your driving school teams of ICBC's parking lot restrictions during business hours.

We continue to receive complaints from customers regarding congestion at our driver licensing offices. As stated in previous communications to schools, keeping the parking lots clear of unnecessary vehicle traffic reduces the high volume of activity in our lots and helps keep our customers and employees safe. It also ensures customers with pre-arranged appointments or who are in need of immediate service will have priority access to parking spots

ICBC has extended their road-test booking times until 6 p.m. As these are business hours we should not see your cars in our lots.

A number of driver training schools continue to use ICBC parking lots for student training, practicing and parking during business hours.

Section 8 of the industry Code of Conduct states

“Driver training instructors will not practice in or otherwise use parking lots at ICBC offices during business hours, except for parking, as required, to attend a road test appointment or for legitimate personal business, such as an instructor’s own licensing transactions.”

Effective immediately

Driving school investigators will be enforcing this code of conduct requirement. A driver training school in violation of this requirement may receive an immediate suspension of their road test booking privileges.

To avoid any interruption to a school’s driver training operation, we are asking that instructors attending our driver licensing offices respect the parking lot restriction.

Please take a moment to review the driver training ind​ustry Code of Conduct​ (DTC410) to re-familiarize yourself with the code of conduct requirements.

September 1, 2020

Recently we outlined how newly recruited driver examiners completing training will result in more road test appointments, along with some reminders for customers. Refer to the Information Bulletin we posted last week.​​

August 24, 2020

ICBC has issued a news release reminding customers that starting Monday, August 24, new bookings for Class 5 and 7 road tests will be accepted.

New bookings were placed on hold as ICBC prioritized customers whose road tests were cancelled at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At this time, ICBC is only accepting customers who have a booked road test appointment. Walk-in or standby appointments are unavailable.

Class 5-8 road tests must be booked online using the road test booking service (for driving schools)​, or if students are booking their own test, ICBC strongly encourages all eligible customers to book a road test online at icbc.com. Commercial (Class 1-4) road tests must still be booked by phone by calling 1-800-950-1498.

As per the notification on August 7, road tests will also be offered at the following ICBC claim centres:

Available for booking now:

• Victoria (Dunedin), 425 Dunedin Street

• Surrey (Guildford), 10262 152A Street

• Langley, 6000 Production Way

Estimated start date of September 8:

• Surrey (Newton), 13665 68th Avenue

• Coquitlam, 100 Blue Mountain Street

• Richmond, 7200 Elmbridge Way

• Burnaby, 4399 Wayburne Drive

Estimated start date of September 28:

• Vancouver (Kingsway), 999 Kingsway

• New Westminster, 1320 3rd Avenue

• Abbotsford, 2885 Trethewey Street

A reminder of what to expect for all road tests

ICBC has been taking additional safety measures to protect customers and employees.

Driver examiners are required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for the duration of the road tests. ICBC will supply a mandatory medical grade mask for customers to wear during their road test. Customers are asked to maintain physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from ICBC employees and other customers wherever possible.​​

​August 7, 2020

Now that Class 5 and 7 road tests have resumed, we are working hard to get through the backlog of cancelled tests and reduce customer waiting times.To do so, we are temporarily expanding Class 5 and 7 road testing to ten ICBC Claims Centres. We’re calling these sites Road Test Claims Centres, or RTCCs.

An RTCC pilot at the Victoria Claims Centre (Dunedin) is underway with limited road tests commencing on Monday, August 10. We’ll gradually increase the number of daily tests.

The road tests at RTCCs will have all the same components as road tests at driver licensing offices. Feedback gathered during the pilot will be used to tweak processes and procedures prior to rolling out RTCCs in the Lower Mainland.

Road testing at RTCCs

The remaining RTCCs will be launched in phases:

• Newton Claim Centre

• Coquitlam Claim Centre

• Richmond Claim Centre

• Burnaby Claim Centre

• Kingsway Claim Centre

• New Westerminster Claim Centre

• Abbotsford Claim Centre

​July 22, 2020

We are now ready to move to the next phase of our road test resumption plan by prioritizing customers whose Class 5 and 7 road tests were cancelled between March 17 and June 26 as follows:

• Customers whose tests were cancelled April 30 or earlier can book an appointment starting July 30.

• Customers whose tests were cancelled May 31 or earlier can book an appointment starting August 10.

• Customers whose tests were cancelled June 26 or earlier can book an appointment starting August 17.

All other customers will be able to book a road test starting August 24. We’ll contact all eligible customers by letter or email with details on how they can book a road test online. We are not offering standby appointments at this time.

We know there is a significant demand for road tests with a backlog of customers whose road tests were cancelled. We're looking at a number of things, including our resourcing, hours of operation and conducting road testing at other ICBC facilities.​​

July 20, 2020

As of July 20, 2020, ICBC is moving to an appointment-based system for most driver licensing office transactions.

As customer volume increases, we are asking customers to book an appointment before visiting an ICBC office for transactions such as driver licence renewals and knowledge tests.

When booking a visit to a driver licensing office, customers can choose a location and time that is convenient for them, allowing customers to plan their visit in advance.

The online appointment system is available on icbc.com with clear instructions and information. Customers are given an option to book an appointment depending on their transaction type. The system also advises customers how to book their appointment for applicable Service BC and appointed agent driver licensing offices.

Please note that customers and schools will continue to use the existing online road test booking service for all road test bookings.

Booking appointments ensures ICBC continues to maintain physical distancing guidelines set by the provincial health office.​

July 10, 2020

ICBC is moving forward with a plan to serve more customers and complete more road tests in a timely and safe manner.

This plan involves internal and external recruitment for a number of newly created positions as driver examiners and customer service representatives at a variety of locations across the province.

For further details, go to Careers at ICBC on icbc.com.​

July 7, 2020

Starting July 7, ICBC will be resuming Enhanced Road Assessments, motorcycle and recreational trailer road tests.

Customers can book an appointment from today by calling our Driver Licensing customer contact centre at 1-800-950-1498 or 250-978-8300. Motorcycle road tests can also be booked online on icbc.com. We ask customers for their patience as we anticipate high call volumes.

We’ll be contacting customers whose Enhanced Road Assessments, motorcycle and recreational trailer road tests were cancelled between March 17 and 30 to prioritize their appointment. RoadSafetyBC will be sending customers who qualify for an Enhanced Road Assessment appointment a letter which include those who had their appointment cancelled because of the pandemic.

As previously announced with the resumption of commercial road testing, our driver examiners are required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for the duration of road tests and have access to a combination of equipment including masks, shields, goggles, gloves and disposable seat covers.

We also provide mandatory medical grade masks for our customers to wear during their road test.
For motorcycle road tests, riders are not required to wear a mask due to the nature of the test but are required to wear the safety vest, which is sanitized after each use. 

Conducting motorcycle tests now allows us to reduce the current backlog, which will free up more road test spaces and allows us to secure more PPE as we prepare for the restart of passenger vehicle testing. In addition, conducting motorcycle tests during summer months reduces the likelihood of cancelled tests due to weather.

As a reminder, we ask that customers arrive 15 minutes before their road test appointment and

• ensure they have the required identification

• be prepared for health screening questions

• ensure the interior of their vehicle is clean, and

• maintain physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from ICBC representatives when possible.

We will continue with a phased approach of increasing the in-person driver licensing services we provide, while maintaining health and safety a top priority.

Priority testing for essential health care workers and first responders

Starting today, essential health care workers and first responders who require a licence for their job can call our Driver Licensing customer contact centre to book a priority road test appointment. These road tests will begin on July 20.

Rescheduling of cancelled Class 5 and 7 road tests

ICBC Customers — and schools who booked on behalf of their students — that had a Class 5 or 7 road test cancelled between March 17 and March 30 will be contacted to reschedule their appointment. We’ll be calling these customers and schools starting today, and these road tests will begin on July 20.

Following this first grouping, we’ll then be prioritizing the re-booking of customers who had road tests cancelled after March 30. It is expected that these customers will be able to re-book through the month of August.

More details on the timing for new road test bookings will be provided in the following weeks.

We know there is a significant demand for road tests with a backlog of customers whose road tests were cancelled. We’re looking at a number of things, including our resourcing, hours of operation and conducting road testing at other ICBC facilities.

To manage the demand and volume of customers in an office at any given time, ICBC is also looking to move to an appointment system for in-office visits, including driver licence renewals. We are not offering standby appointments at this time. More information will be provided when plans are finalized.​

​June 16, 2020

As we previously announced, we’ll be restarting commercial road testing with our driver examiners being required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while conducting road tests.

We’d like to share with you the health and safety guidelines used by our examiners and the procedures they’ll being following when using PPE to ensure their effectiveness and to minimize the risk of transmitting the COVID-19 virus.

The document Road Test Resumption & Personal P​rotective Equipment for DEs outlines these guidelines and procedures.

Also refer to our Q-and-A’s​ regarding our resumption of road testing, the safety measures being taken and our plan on expanding the availability of other classes of road tests.​​

June 10, 2020

As our valued stakeholder we wanted to let you know that we're going to announce that from June 11, customers will be able to book road test appointments for Class 1-4, airbrakes or heavy trailers (endorsement 20) by calling us at 1-800-950-1498 or 250-978-8300. We anticipate some road tests will be conducted by the end of next week.

We'll be contacting customers whose Class 1-4 road tests were cancelled between March 17 and 30 to prioritize their appointment. We ask customers for their patience as we anticipate high call volumes.

Road testing is going to look different. Our driver examiners will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for the duration of the road tests. They will have access to a combination of equipment including masks, shields, goggles, gloves and disposable seat covers.

We're also going to provide a mandatory medical grade mask for customers to wear during the road tests. We ask that customers arrive 15 minutes before their road test appointment and:

• Ensure they have the required identification

• Be prepared for health screening questions

• Ensure the interior of their vehicle is clean, and

• Maintain physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from ICBC representatives when possible.

Drivers who do not follow the required guidelines will result in the road test being suspended, as the health and safety of our employees and customers are paramount.

To date, we have secured sufficient PPE for this initial phase. ICBC has a plan in place to expand the availability of road tests to other classes of licences as soon as possible which will be dependent on the roll-out of this initial phase and the ability to secure sufficient PPE for our employees and customers.

We are continuing our thoughtful phased approach to increasing more of our in-person driver licensing services, while maintaining the health and safety of our employees, customers and partners as our top priority.

To help you get ready for the resumption of road test for your customers, we have included some useful links for you to review:

• WorksafeBC guidance

• COVID-19 Safety Plan — As a school you are required to complete this. The link includes a requirement for cleaning vehicle interiors on page 7. 

• Transport Canada guidance

• Transport Canada PPE guidance

Thank you for your continued patience during these unprecedented times, and for your support as we move toward a new normal.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.​

June 2, 2020

ICBC has developed guidelines and requirements for schools to develop their own online learning for GLP, air brakes, and the motorcycle skills training program.

The document Online learning for driver training​ (DTC415) outlines these requirements and how to apply.​

May 28, 2020

Starting June 1, drivers can book a knowledge test for all driver’s licence classes.

ICBC customers can book their knowledge test up to six weeks in advance by calling our Driver Licensing customer contact centre to leave a voice message for a call back. We are currently looking at alternate options for managing the knowledge test appointment booking process.

We are not planning to increase the number of available daily bookings at this time; however, any increase will be determined by each ICBC driver licensing office as required, and only where appropriate physical distancing and safety measures allow.

All knowledge test appointments will remain at 45 minutes per test. Customers may take multiple knowledge tests back to back, such as taking both a Class 7 and 8 knowledge test.

Translator services to support knowledge testing will be reinstated effective June 1. Translators must follow WorkSafeBC guidelines for services provided.

Re-booking after a failed knowledge test

Drivers who fail their knowledge test must re-book by phoning the Driver Licensing Customer Contact Centre in Victoria. The seven-day wait period between knowledge testing applies but it’s expected there may be a longer wait for a retest due to the  current backlog. So all customers can take their knowledge test as soon as possible, only one booking will be allowed for the same knowledge test.

Be sure to remind your students that they have a full 45 minutes to complete their test and to prepare for their re-test by thoroughly review the driving guides and taking the practice knowledge and sign tests.

As we previously announced, Class 5-8 learner drivers whose learner’s licence expired on or after March 17 will have their knowledge test fee waived for their first attempt only.

14 May 2020

As a valued stakeholder, we want to keep you updated on how ICBC has been impacted by COVID-19. In partnership with the provincial government, we issued a news release that outlines details of the impacts, which were compiled in a report that looked at a seven-week period from mid-March to the beginning of May. Here are few highlights:

• The impact of the pandemic on ICBC and our customers has been wide-ranging and unprecedented with many unknowns still ahead. These impacts are ongoing and changing, as they are for businesses across the province.

• The most apparent impact is one we can all see – over the past two months, fewer people have been driving and that’s led to a reduction in the number of claims we would normally expect to receive. There are also impacts that aren’t as visible.

• We’ve seen significant reductions in premium revenue as our customers made changes to their insurance policies, held off on getting new policies or cancelled their policies altogether.

• While we know what has happened over the past two months, the pandemic has created new uncertainty going forward. We don’t know how long the decrease in claims and premium levels will last as restrictions start to lift and drivers get back in their cars.

• To add to the uncertainty, ICBC, like other insurers, uses an investment portfolio to help offset claims costs and reduce premiums, and the current global markets are unpredictable. Our investment portfolio has taken a significant hit and it’s not clear how long it will take to rebound.

• If ICBC’s net income results are better than forecast for 2020-21, any additional net income will benefit customers. Any decisions on the use of additional net income of ICBC for the year due to lower claims resulting from the pandemic will be made at the end of the fiscal year. Options could include rebuilding the financial capital health of ICBC to reduce longer-term pressure on rates, providing a one-time direct relief to customers or any combination thereof.

• In the meantime, we will continue to actively look at ways of supporting our customers, employees and stakeholders during this challenging time.

We regularly update our update on ​COVID-19 (coronavirus) page on icbc.com with the most current information on our changes available, and we encourage you to check this page regularly.

May 13, 2020

As the COVID-19 emergency is evolving, ICBC continues to take steps to ensure the health and safety of our customers, partners and employees. ICBC’s business continuity response teams are meeting daily to assess the COVID-19 situation and recognize that the suspension of road tests is an issue causing a lot of concern. We are actively working towards a solution.

At this time, all road tests are suspended indefinitely and ICBC is unable to provide a date as to when road testing will resume. Once a solution is available, we’ll reach out to driver training schools and instructors, and post the information on dtcbc.com.

As private businesses, driver training schools and facilities are being asked to carefully follow the advice and direction of provincial and federal heath authorities, and continue to keep the health and safety of your employees and customers as a top priority. The Provincial Health Officer is responsible for monitoring the health of B.C. citizens, while WorkSafeBC is working to support the direction of public health agencies by helping workplaces take appropriate preventative measures.

You can visit the following websites for more information or contact your local regional health authority to assist you in determining how to best operate your business during the COVID-19 emergency.

• BC Centre for Disease Control

Driver training schools can choose to implement their own safety measures to protect their employees and trainees; however, ICBC strongly discourage efforts to install any permanent accessories intended for road testing purposes, such as plexi-glass dividers, until ICBC has established appropriate guidelines.

ICBC services impacted by COVID-19 will also continue to be posted online for customers on the Our update on ​COVID-19 (coronavirus) page on icbc.com.​

May 6, 2020

Certain out of province (OOP) licence holders in British Columbia are being given an extended exemption from the requirement to hold a B.C. driver’s licence until 90 days past the end of the COVID-19 emergency.

It applies to most types of OOP holders and includes:

• Visitors

• Non-resident students, and

• Most new to B.C. residents.

These OOP licence holders would generally be exempt under section 34 (1.1) of the Motor Vehicle Act. To be eligible for the extended exemption, an OOP licence holder’s current exemption must not have expired before March 17, 2020 — the official start date of the emergency.

The extended exemption will allow OOP drivers to continue driving from May 1, 2020 until 90 days after the end of the COVID-19 emergency. Drivers operating under this extended exemption must hold a valid and subsisting driver’s licence from the jurisdiction where they most recently resided, and must abide by all terms and conditions of that licence.

For more details on the specifics of the exemption, please refer to the Our update on COVID-19 (coronavirus) page on icbc.com.​

​April 27, 2020

Starting May 11, 2020, ICBC will begin conducting limited knowledge testing by appointment only at ICBC driver licensing offices (DLOs), Service BC offices and a limited number of appointed agent offices. A few of our ICBC DLOs may start earlier as we install Plexiglass barriers to help maintain social distancing. Many of our appointed agent offices remain closed, so check our service locator on icbc.com for their current status.

At this time, knowledge testing is being limited to the following:

• All commercial learner class applicants including air brakes and heavy trailer.

• New residents to B.C. who require a knowledge test as part of their application for a B.C. driver’s licence. Road tests for these applicants are still not available.

• Any customer (Class 1-8) where their learner’s licence has expired on or after March 1, or will be expiring within two weeks from when they phone to book their appointment.

Customers will be required to book their knowledge test by calling our Driver Licensing contact centre on or after April 27 and leaving a voicemail message with their name, contact number and the location they wish to take their knowledge test.

Appointment based testing allows us to control the volume of customers attending our DLOs to help maintain social distancing within our offices to further protect our employees and customers. Stand-by or walk-in appointments will not be accommodated at this time.

Translators won't be allowed to accompany examinees due to social distancing rules at our driver licensing offices.​

We’ll continue to review the demand and impacts of these knowledge test appointments before deciding to expand our knowledge testing services.

Motorcycle skills testing starting May 11

Motorcycle skills testing will also begin on May 11 but is only limited to riders who:

• Currently hold a motorcycle learner’s licence, or

• Have a motorcycle learner licence that expired on or after March 1.

Riders can begin booking a motorcycle skills test starting April 27 for appointments occurring on or after May 11 using the online road test booking service or by contacting our Driver Licensing contact centre.

Lee Olley
Director
Driver Licensing Customer Services
Public Affairs and Driver Licensing Division

April 17, 2020

As a valued stakeholder, we want to keep you updated on actions ICBC is taking to help customers manage the financial impacts of COVID-19 during these difficult times.

• Fleet customers now have the option to suspend their insurance instead of cancelling their plates. We are waiving the new plate fee when re-plating or adding a new vehicle to their fleet.

• For non-fleet customers, we are waiving cancellation and plating fees associated with cancelling and re-plating at a later date.

• ICBC customers — including volunteers — will now be able to use their vehicles for the delivery of essential goods, such as food or medical products and services, without changing their insurance or paying a higher premium.

• Customers whose learner driver’s licences (Class 5-8) expire during the pandemic will not have to pay the fee for the first knowledge test once testing resumes.

In partnership with the provincial government, we issued a news release that outlines details of these temporary changes. We also update our COVID-19 website with the most current information available, and we encourage you to check this site regularly.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact your Autoplan broker.

April 1, 2020

Road testing suspension continues

In our continuing effort to protect customers, employees, and our driver training school partners, ICBC has extended the suspension of all road testing due to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) health concern.

Customers with affected road test appointments will be called by phone by their driver licensing office to let them know that their road test has been cancelled. Driver training schools and drivers will not be able to book road test appointments by phone or online at this time.

We realize that you and your customers are directly impacted by this and thank you for your continued understanding. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and will be reassessing the suspension of testing on a regular basis with our federal and provincial health authorities. We also ask that you carefully follow the updated advice of our heath authorities, and continue to keep the health and safety of your employees and trainees as a top priority.

For the latest updates, visit the Our update on COVID-19 (coronavirus) page on icbc.com.

Driver training school and instructor renewals

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ll continue to send out driver training school renewal packages by email, or you can access the renewal package online on our Renewing your driver training school licence page on dtcbc.com. Instructor renewal packages are also available online on our Renewing your driver training instructor's licence page.

If you are a licensed school or instructor within one month of expiring, and do not yet have your renewal package, please contact us by email.​

March 27, 2020

Licence renewals and payment deferrals now available during pandemic

On March 24, 2020, We issued the following news release, Licence renewals and payment deferrals now available during pandemic, which outlines the measures we’re taking to ensure the safety and wellness of our customers and employees, while providing the driver licensing and insurance services British Columbians rely on.

As always, the health and safety of our customers, employees and business partners is a top priority for ICBC. Please reach out if you have further questions.

Motorcycle and passenger vehicle knowledge tests suspended

To further meet physical distancing requirements at our driver licensing offices, all driver knowledge tests have been suspended indefinitely — for motorcycle and passenger vehicles — unless there is a legal requirement to obtain a licence, such as new resident to B.C.

Commercial vehicle knowledge tests will continue.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be working on finding ways to provide knowledge tests without the need for an in-office visit.

ICBC reduces hours at driver licensing offices

Starting Monday March 30, ICBC driver licensing offices (DLOs) with Monday to Friday operations will now be open to customers from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and ICBC DLO’s with Monday to Saturday operations will also be open to customers from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. This change does not affect the days of operation, and other ICBC driver licensing departments will continue to maintain their current work hours.

The change in operating hours reflect the reduction in customer volume at our DLOs due to some of our services being transferred to online and over the phone to reduce customer impact and increase social distancing.

We are committed to delivering driver licencing services to our customers; however, we are recommending to our customers not to attend a driver licensing office unless it's for transactions that cannot be conducted online or over the phone.

We are continuing to follow the advice from federal and provincial public health agencies, and will assess and make appropriate adjustments to our operations as necessary.

We’re updating our COVID-19 website on icbc.com with the most up-to-date information as soon as it becomes available, and we encourage you check this site regularly.​

March 18, 2020

As always, the health and safety of our customers, employees and business partners is a top priority for ICBC, and never more so than today as our communities come together to take necessary precautions to address an unprecedented pandemic.

As a valued stakeholder, I want to assure you that ICBC is following the best advice of health experts and we have established a protocol with the provincial government to ensure health officials give us direct feedback to confirm we’ve done enough to optimize public safety. We are also working closely with other public-sector bodies who have customer-facing operations to ensure our responses are coordinated and consistent to protect the public.

At the same time, ICBC is committed to maintaining critical customer services. This has meant adopting some new ways of working. As the situation is rapidly evolving, like other businesses, we expect we will need to make significant changes in the coming days. We’re updating our website with the most up-to-date information as soon as it becomes available, and we encourage stakeholders and business partners to check this site regularly.

We regret any inconvenience some of these temporary measures may cause you, and we want to thank you in advance for your patience as these are not “business-as-usual” times. Your understanding and support will enable us to get through this unprecedented situation together, with the best health and safety outcome for all.

Nicolas Jimenez
President & CEO

March 17, 2020

Based on recommendations from the federal and provincial health authorities, and in an effort to protect customers, employees, and our driver training school partners, ICBC is suspending all road testing due to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) health concern.

In addition, every customer that visits an ICBC driver licensing office (DLO) will be asked a set of COVID-19 screening questions. If a customer responds “Yes” to any of these questions, or indicates they have travelled outside of Canada within the last 14 days, they’ll be asked to return at a later date. We’ll also be limiting access to our waiting areas at DLOs to ensure appropriate social distancing — instructions and guidance will be provided by DLO employees.

We understand that this decision has a direct impact on you and your customers, and greatly appreciate your understanding. We’ll continue to monitor the situation over the coming few weeks and will be reassessing the suspension of testing on a regular basis with our health authorities.

Ministry of Health self-assessment tool

The Ministry of Health has developed a self-assessment tool to help determine whether someone may need further assessment or testing for COVID-19.

BC COVID-19 Self-A​ssessment Tool

March 13, 2020

ICBC is taking additional measures to protect our driver examiners where a road test examinee may have travelled to a high risk country or is presenting symptoms known to be associated with the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

Effective immediately, every examinee coming in for a road test will be asked about their recent travel destinations and asked some medical related questions.

After completing the questionnaire, an examinee will be advised if they can continue with their road test or be rescheduled. A minimum waiting period of 14 days will be required for a rescheduled road test.

Until further notice, a driver may cancel their road test within 48 hours of their test — and won’t be charged a Late Cancellation Fee — if their reasons are directly related to ICBC’s screening questions about COVID-19.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, continue to take appropriate steps to maintain clean driver training facilities and vehicles, and to remind students of proper hygiene practices.

External resources:

• ​World Health Organization: About Coronavirus

• World Health Organization: Advice for the public

• Government of Canada: FAQ

• Government of Canada: Travel advice and advisories

• BC Centre of Disease Control: BC update

​March 5, 2020

We are reminding all customers to book their road test through ICBC directly and not to use any 3rd party booking website.

Unfortunately, some customers have used 3rd party booking websites to book their road test and have been charged a fee, asked to share their personal information such as their security keyword, or both.

Booking a road test in B.C. is free — drivers should never pay to book a test.

If you book road tests on behalf of your driver training students, continue to use the Road Test Booking Service (​for driver training schools)​ for all bookings. As a reminder, never ask your student to provide their security keyword. This keyword is personal information.

If a student wants to book their own passenger vehicle or motorcycle road test, let them know that they can book online for free from the Book your road test page at icbc.com.

If any of your students have used a 3rd party website and shared personal information related to ICBC – including their security keyword – we ask that they attend their nearest ICBC driver licencing office to have it reset.

We encourage customers to check icbc.com if they ever have any questions.​

February 14, 2020

In an effort to support road safety and better trained drivers, the B.C. government announced proposed changes to update and clarify the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) through introduction of Bill 2, the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2020.

Among the proposed changes in Bill 2 is an amendment intended to enable government to introduce standardized driver training as a pre-licensing requirement for various classes of driver’s licences. However, the proposed legislation can only be brought into effect through regulations passed by government. These amendments will allow government to respond to the need for standardized training, should it arise.

At this time, there are no changes to the driver licensing requirements for B.C. driver’s licence applicants, or changes to the current ICBC processes for the driver training industry.

ICBC will continue to monitor the progress of these proposed changes and provide updates to the driver training industry in the event that there are further related announcements by the B.C. government.

For additional information and any inquiries related to the proposed changes please follow this link: Government’s news release.​

February 7, 2020

On February 6, 2020, the provincial government and ICBC announced that we are moving to a new way of doing auto insurance in B.C.

We are lowering the price of insurance for drivers in our province and providing everyone with access to significantly better care and recovery benefits if they’re injured in a crash, regardless of whether they were at-fault — maximum care and recovery benefits will increase to at least $7.5 million.

Improvements have already been made to B.C.’s auto insurance system over the past two years that have increased care for the injured, made the way we set rates fairer and helped put ICBC back on the path to financial stability. These changes are working.

However, our current auto insurance system is still seeing far too much spending on legal costs — including expert reports, legal fees and disbursements, and contingency fees, which typically range anywhere from 25-33 percent. A similar amount is also spent on pain and suffering awards each year and the other overall costs of settling injury claims in our litigation-based system remains very high.

As a result, the auto insurance system we have today is not affordable, it’s not sustainable and it’s not working for British Columbians.

This new way of doing auto insurance in B.C. will build on the success of the changes made to date, but also help to address the outstanding issues of all these high costs associated with our current litigation-based system, in order to achieve the most important goal – more affordable insurance rates for British Columbians.

All told, by removing the adversarial approach of suing the driver who is at-fault for the crash and instead of money going towards lawyers and legal fees, approximately $1.5 billion will be used to lower rates.

As the name suggests, Enhanced Care will be a care-based model, which prioritizes the recovery and treatment benefits British Columbians need to get better if they are injured in a crash.

Under our new Enhanced Care coverage:

• Drivers will save approximately 20 percent or $400, on average, on their auto insurance.

• British Columbians hurt in a crash will have access to significantly enhanced medical care and recovery benefits — maximum care and recovery benefits will increase to at least $7.5 million, 24 times higher than what’s available today.

• We are proposing to again increase wage loss payments, now to a maximum of up to $1,200 per week — an increase of approximately 60%.

We’re able to do this by moving from the adversarial approach of suing an at-fault driver in today’s system to a model where each driver’s own policy covers their claim. This will dramatically lower the costs associated with our current litigation-based system – and the savings are passed on to the people of British Columbia through more affordable rates and significantly enhanced care.

This new auto insurance for B.C. will launch in spring 2021, with a target date of May 1.​

In addition, ICBC would like to offer interested stakeholders a briefing on the proposed changes. If you would like to attend a session, please contact Tracey MacLennan, ICBC Stakeholder and Community Relations by email or by phone at 604-982-4749.

Government will also be reaching out to various medical, healthcare, disability and other stakeholder organizations to arrange for feedback in person. Following these sessions, if you or your members have additional feedback to provide, please do so by May 15, 2020 by emailing [email protected].

We are committed to working with you — and with the provincial government — throughout these changes.

​January 24, 2020

On January 23, 2020, the Passenger Transportation Board approved two ride hailing companies — Uber and Lyft — to operate in the lower mainland and Whistler. As a result, we are preparing for the potential of more applications for a Class 4 driver’s licence.

In anticipation of ride hailing companies being approved to operate in B.C., ICBC has published the following materials on icbc.com which may be helpful for you when dealing with customer inquiries:

• Ride hailing page on icbc.com

• How to get your Class 4 licence (pdf)

• Pre trip inspection guide (pdf)