Driver training
What to expect opening a driver training school
Thinking about opening a driving school? Here are the typical requirements and costs involved in starting the business.
Getting started
There are some important steps you need to take to become a driving school. Before you apply for a driver training school licence, consider:
Where your school will be located and what the local bylaws are
What other rules and regulations apply (e.g. Motor Vehicle Act, Code of Conduct, etc.)
What licences and registrations you'll need
What vehicle requirements must be met
What type of training your school will offer (e.g. GLP, MELT, airbrake, motorcycle, etc.)
What is required of instructors
What other requirements and costs are involved
Rules and regulations
Motor Vehicle Act
You must adhere to the Motor Vehicle Act's Driver Training Regulations for operating a driving school in B.C.
Code of Conduct
You must comply with the ICBC Code of Conduct for Driver Training Licensees.
Road test booking
You must abide by the Road Test Booking Terms for Schools when booking road tests for students.
Business licences and registrations
Driver training school licence
You must apply for a Driver Training School Licence with ICBC and renew it annually.
The initial application and annual renewal each cost $100.
Business registration
You must register your business at the BC Registries and Online Services.
Business registration costs $40.
Business licence
You may need a business licence for the municipality in which you intend to operate your driving school.
Business licences can cost between $40-400.
Private Training Institutions registration
If your school offers other types of career training along with driver training, you may be required to register with the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB). Read the PTIB policy manual for details.
Registration with the PTIB costs $4500.
Vehicle requirements
Insurance
You must have the appropriate insurance for all vehicles. Contact your Autoplan broker.
Commercial vehicle insurance premiums can vary.
Inspections
Your vehicles must be inspected and a commercial vehicle inspection report completed by an approved vehicle inspection facility.
Inspections typically cost between $170-300 per vehicle.
Modifications and accessories
Depending on the licence class being trained, some vehicle modifications and accessories are required.
Modifications typically cost between $500-$1000 per vehicle.
Instructors
Instructor licences and designations
All instructors must be appropriately licensed for driving training and have the proper designations for the courses taught at your driving school.
If you are interested in training instructors, learn how to become an instructor training facility.
Security bonds
You must obtain and provide a security bond (e.g. insurance bond, cash bond, GIC, term deposit, or letter of credit) with ICBC for each instructor.
Security bonds cost $2000 per instructor for non-commercial training and $3500 per instructor for commercial training.
Operating a driving school
Review all the details of operating a driving school before applying for a driver training school licence.