​​​​​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.

Licences and agreements

Program agreements (MELT, GLP, Air Brake, Motorcycle Skills Certification, Instructor Skills Certification) expire the same date as 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. Audits can result in sanctions if you are found to be non-compliant with all rules and regulations.

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 have a valid ICBC-issued B.C. driver training instructor licence and have the proper designations for the courses taught at your driving school.

You must obtain and provide security for the number of instructors at your school, as outlined in the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations. Security bonds cost $2000 per instructor for non-commercial training (Classes 5, 6, 7, 8) and $3500 per instructor for commercial training (Classes 1-Melt, 2, 3, 4, Air Brake).

Note that bonds cannot be reduced for 1 year. That means if an instructor leaves your school, the bond must remain for 1 year from that date. Add or remove instructors to or from your school.

Security bonds

A security bond is required for all driving schools and instructor training facilities to ensure compliance with regulations and to protect students financially in the event of incomplete training, unethical practices or other failures in operations. Security bonds guarantee a portion of payment to the student if the driving school is unable or unwilling to provide a refund.

Claims against a school bond must be submitted within 2 years of the student’s last date of training, provided the bond is still held by the obligee at the time the claim is made. Security bonds are issued in favour of ICBC, which acts as the obligee and administers claims under the bond.

Claims can typically be avoided by schools reimbursing students. To continue operation after a bond payout is issued, you must ensure the minimum bond requirement is held.

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)

• Class 1-Melt, 2, 3, 4

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

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.