​​​​​Operating a driver training school

Please note: your school is an independent business. Though we can help ensure you offer effective training and meet requirements to maintain your licence, ICBC does not promote or provide marketing for individual driving schools.

Maintaining your school licence

All driving schools in B.C. must hold an ICBC-issued driver training school licence.

To maintain your school licence and remain in good standing, you must:

• Renew your licence annually

• Adhere to the Motor Vehicle Act Driver Training Regulations, which regulates the driving school industry

• Comply with the ICBC Code of Conduct for Driver Training Schools (it must also be signed and posted in your driving school and on your school’s website)

• Abide by the Road Test Booking Terms for Schools when booking road tests for students and complete the Student Consent and Release for each student that you book a road test for

• Keep all school and student records accurate and up to date and submit them for review to the Driver Training Industry Support (DTIS) team or Driver Training Investigations and Compliance (DTIC) team when required

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in disruptions to your business or loss of your driver training school licence.

Audits and reviews

Driver Training Investigations and Compliance (DTIC) audits schools shortly after their first year of business. Audits then occur at a frequency determined by the outcomes of previous audits, but can be triggered by complaints of non-compliance.

Driver Training Industry Support (DTIS) reviews course curriculum, school records and student records. Reviews generally occur every 1-3 years and can last between 2-10 days depending on the size of the school and the level of support the school needs. Schools may be required to change curriculum and course delivery. DTIS gives typically provides 5 days’ notice and works with the school to prepare.

Some of the documents that may be reviewed during an audit or review include student training records, student road test booking consent and release forms, instructor schedules and logs, school and instructor licences, vehicle inspection reports and receipts.

Instructors

All instructors at your driving school must be appropriately licensed in B.C. for driving training (including criminal record and medical checks) and have the proper designations for the courses taught at your driving school.

For each instructor at your school, you must obtain and provide a security bond with ICBC:

• Insurance Bonds — must be issued in the registered name of the school. The original document must be stamped with the insurance company’s seal and signed. Photocopies are not accepted. Insurance bonds are available through private insurers.

• Cash Bonds — must be a certified cheque payable to ICBC.

• GIC, Term deposit or letter of credit — must be issued in the registered name of the school. The original document must be stamped by the financial institution that issued it and signed. Photocopies are not accepted. A safekeeping agreement is provided by ICBC.

Security bonds cost $2000 per instructor for non-commercial training and $3500 per instructor for commercial training. Security Bonds must be held for the two-year claim limitation period after a driving school closes.

Vehicle requirements

All vehicles operated by your driving school must have the appropriate vehicle insurance.

Inspections and modifications

If you are providing on-road (practical) instruction, your training vehicle(s) must be inspected and a commercial vehicle inspection report completed by an approved vehicle inspection facility.

Depending on the licence class being trained, some vehicle modifications and accessories are required:

• Class 5, 7 (Passenger vehicle)

  • Dual brake pedals

  • Dual clutch & accelerator pedals (for manual transmission)

  • Rear view mirror on passenger side

  • Signage visible from the rear that reads "Student Driver"

• Class 6 (Motorcycle)

  • Reflective vests (must be worn by students)

Curriculum

ICBC-approved course

Licensed driver training schools must have their Class 7 or 8 driver training course approved by ICBC. This course is designed for new drivers in ICBC graduated licensing program (GLP) and aims to actively engage new drivers.

To submit your course for approval, you need to build a course that feels right for you and your students while meeting ICBC standards and requirements. Learn more about teaching an ICBC-approved course.

MELT

Licensed driver training schools and instructors can become authorized to teach Class 1 mandatory entry-level training (MELT). Learn more about the requirements to become authorized to teach MELT.

Instructor training

Instructor training facilities are authorized by ICBC to conduct instructor training programs. Learn more about becoming an authorized instructor training facility.