Get your full licence

Full licence

Here’s the last step in graduated licensing… getting your full licence! Congrats on getting this far. You’re almost there! Make sure you understand what’s required of Class 5 drivers before you take the test.

Class 5 road test eligibility

You can take the Class 5 road test once you’ve been a Novice driver for 24 consecutive months without any driving prohibition.

You might even be able to take it after 18 months, if you’ve taken an ICBC-approved (GLP) driver training course in the L stage and met all other requirements. (No at-fault crashes, tickets, or prohibitions for the first 18 months of the N stage.)

You might also take the test if you’ve moved to B.C. with a licence from certain countries, your licence has been expired for more than three years, or you’re taking a driver re-exam requested by RoadSafetyBC.

Study for your test

Whether you’re taking the Class 7 road test to get your N or the Class 5 road test to get your full licence, these study and practice guides will help you pass:

Don’t just rely on studying though, be sure to get lots of on-road driving practice with an experienced driver or a licensed driver training school.

Driving skills you’ll need to know

During your road test, you’ll need to demonstrate a variety of driving skills. These are the most common skills to practice:

  • Driving through intersections, turning left and right
  • Pulling out into traffic
  • Pulling over and stopping at the side of the road
  • Changing lanes
  • Parking on a hill
  • Starting on a hill
  • Backing up
  • Angle parking
  • Parallel parking
  • Stall parking (driving forward and backing up into a stall)
  • Two and three point turns
  • Merging on and off a highway
  • General driving (e.g., driving straight, driving on hills and curves)
  • Knowing what to do around emergency vehicles

Not every skill will be part of your test, but practicing them all will give you the best chance of being prepared.

Hazard awareness

While you’re driving, it’s important to scan your environment and be aware of potential hazards on the road. You may be asked to point some out during your test.

Examples of potential hazards:

  • Dangerous drivers
  • Emergency vehicles
  • Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles
  • Blind spots and hidden driveways
  • Animals
  • Icy or snowy roads
  • Uneven roads

What to expect on your Class 5 road test

You’re a more experienced driver now, so you’ll be tested in environments that are a bit more challenging than the Class 7 road test. The most important thing to show your examiner is that you’re a safe driver with excellent skills and vehicle control.

The test and examiner feedback takes about 45 minutes.

Pre-trip check

At the start of your road test, your examiner will check out your car — just to make sure all the important parts are working and you know where they are (like the horn, parking brake, high beams, turn signals, etc.). You’ll also need to demonstrate hand signals for turning.

This pre-trip check is important. If your car isn’t safe enough to drive, you won’t be able to take your test.

Road test

After your car has been checked out and deemed safe, you’ll start your road test. Your examiner will take you through a pre-set route to test your driving skills — like turning, changing lanes, and parking.

The route could include city streets, commercial areas, and highways. You’ll also go through different kinds of intersections: ones without traffic signs, ones with stop signs, and large intersections with traffic lights. Any time you’ll be making a turn or switching lanes, you’ll get plenty of warning.

Your examiner may also ask you to spot and point out potential hazards.

Debrief

After you’ve finished your route, you’ll have a chance to go over the test with your examiner, to see what you did well and what areas might need improvement. You’ll find out right away if you passed your test or if you weren’t successful.

If you’re uncomfortable speaking English, you can bring someone to translate for you during the feedback session. However, translators aren’t allowed in the car during the road test.

Retest waiting period

As of June 25, 2018, after your first test attempt, you can take the test again after 14 days.

If you take the test a second time and you don’t pass, you can try again after 30 days.

If after three or more tries you don’t pass, you can take the test again after 60 days.

Tips from driver examiners

Your examiner will never try to trick you or ask you to make illegal or unsafe actions. When you’re asked you to do something, you’ll get plenty of warning.

Need to brush-up on your driving skills? Check out our top 7 tips for passing your road test.

Ready? Let’s go!

Book your road test, and prepare for your road test appointment to ensure you have the right ID, documentation, and that your vehicle is test-ready.