Driving Tests

N Driver Rules in B.C.: Passengers, N Sign and Zero Alcohol

informational·how to guide·Published October 10, 2026·Updated October 20, 2026

What are the rules for a Class 7 (N) driver in B.C.?

A British Columbia (B.C.) Class 7 (N) driver under 25 may carry one passenger, not counting immediate family, unless a supervisor aged 22 or older sits beside them, and must display the N sign. Since October 19, 2026, neither rule applies to a driver aged 25 or older. Every N driver must have zero alcohol and drugs in the body and must not use any electronic device, hands-free included.

Where the N rules come from

The rules come from the Get your N page of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and Order in Council 350/2026, which changed the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) on October 19, 2026. Other sources are the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations (Division 30), the ICBC pages for Class 7 drivers under 25 and 25 or older, on the GLP changes, driver training and driver penalty points, and a B.C. government release of July 20, 2026. This guide is correct as of 2026. Where an older ICBC page differs from the law in force, this guide follows the law. Confirm the rules with ICBC (icbc.com) before you drive.

What a Class 7 licence allows in B.C.

You may drive on your own.
You may drive a two-axle motor vehicle that is not a motorcycle.

Class 7 rules in B.C. by age: under 25 and 25 or older

Class 7 rules in B.C. by age: under 25 and 25 or older
Rule	Under 25	25 or older
N sign	Required on the back of the vehicle	Not required
Passengers	One, not counting immediate family, unless a supervisor 22+ is with you	No limit
Zero alcohol and drugs	Yes	Yes
Phone or other electronic device	Banned, hands-free included	Banned, hands-free included

How many passengers can an N driver under 25 carry?

One passenger, and immediate family members do not count toward that limit. To carry more than one passenger who is not immediate family, you need a qualified supervisor with you. The free practice question on the novice passenger limit tests this rule.

Who can be the supervisor of an N driver

The supervisor is 22 or older (since October 19, 2026) and legally able to drive.
The supervisor holds a valid licence that is not a learner licence or a Class 7 licence, and that permits the vehicle. ICBC lists Class 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 licences, without the zero blood alcohol and zero blood drug restriction.
The supervisor sits in the front passenger seat, beside the driver.
The supervisor stays awake and able to operate the vehicle lawfully at all times.

Does an N driver in B.C. need the N sign?

Yes, if you are under 25. Order in Council 350/2026 ties the new driver sign to Class 7 holders under 25. The sign is a magnetic green N that replaces your red L, and it must be clearly visible at the rear of the vehicle while you drive.

What changed on October 19, 2026 for Class 7 holders

If you are 25 or older, your driving record shows the date when you can take the Driving Record Assessment. ICBC lists it as the Earliest Exit Date.
If you already met the new Class 5 criteria on that date, at any age, you were deemed to hold a Class 5 licence, unless you also held a Class 8 or 8L licence.

Zero alcohol, zero drugs and no devices for every N driver

Do not drive with alcohol, cocaine or THC in your body. The rule applies at any age, also at 25 or older.
Do not use any electronic device, hand-held or hands-free, except to make an emergency call to 911. The free practice question on hands-free calls tests this rule.
The device ban includes programming a GPS, selecting music from your phone and wearing earbuds.

From L to Class 5: how long each stage takes

1
Hold the L for 12 months or 9 months
Under 25, you need 12 months of learner driving experience before the Class 7 road test, and you must stay prohibition-free. At 25 or older, you need 9 months.
2
Pass the Class 7 road test
This gives you the N licence.
3
Drive safely with your N
Under 25, the safe-driving period is 24 months. ICBC cuts it to 18 months if you finish an approved GLP driver training course during the learner stage and keep a clean driving record. At 25 or older, the period is 12 months.
4
Take the Driving Record Assessment
When the period is complete, apply for the Driving Record Assessment at a driver licensing office, by appointment or as a walk-in. It upgrades you to a Class 5 licence with restrictions.

What counts against the safe-driving period

Your safe-driving period must have no convictions for excessive speed or electronic device use, and no driving prohibitions or suspensions. A record of unsafe driving restarts the novice period.

Penalties for an N driver in B.C.

Penalties for an N driver in B.C.
What happens	Result
You break an N restriction, or get any other ticket or prohibition	Graduated licensing penalties. After one ticket, your driving record may be reviewed and you may face a driving prohibition
You use a hand-held electronic device	A fine and driver penalty points
You break the zero alcohol or zero drug rule	Fines and other penalties
You collect more than 3 driver penalty points in a 12-month assessment period	A Driver Penalty Point premium: CAD 214 for 4 points, up to CAD 29,376 for 50 or more points (table dated January 1, 2022)

Key takeaways

Under 25: one passenger, not counting immediate family, unless a supervisor aged 22 or older sits beside you, and display the N sign.
25 or older: since October 19, 2026, no N sign and no supervisor needed for more than one passenger.
Every N driver: zero alcohol and drugs, and no electronic device, hands-free included.
The Driving Record Assessment comes after 24 months of safe driving under 25 (18 with an approved GLP course), or 12 months at 25 or older.
Next step: practise the rules on the free British Columbia Class 7 practice test.

B.C. N driver rules: common questions

Can I ride a motorcycle or drive a taxi with a Class 7 licence?

No. A Class 7 licence covers a two-axle motor vehicle that is not a motorcycle. It does not cover a bus, school bus, special activity bus, special vehicle, taxi or ambulance.

Can I drive my family around with an N?

Yes. Immediate family means a spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or sibling, including the step and foster versions, and none of them count toward the limit. A driver aged 25 or older has no passenger limit at all.

Can I use Bluetooth or a wired headset with an N?

No. A Bluetooth system or a wired headset is an electronic device, so the ban covers it. The ban also applies when you are stopped at a red light or in bumper-to-bumper traffic. A call to 911 in an emergency is the only exception.

Can an N driver have one drink and drive?

No. The law says an N driver must not drive with any alcohol in the body, so even one drink is a breach. A breach can bring fines and other graduated licensing penalties.

How do I replace a lost N sign?

Go to any driver licensing office: a replacement N sign is free. If you cannot get one right away, you can download and print a temporary N sign from ICBC. If you are 25 or older, you no longer display the sign, so you do not need a new one.

Is there a road test to get from an N to a Class 5 licence?

No. The Driving Record Assessment replaced the second road test on October 19, 2026. After the assessment, your Class 5 licence carries restriction 55 for 12 months: zero alcohol and zero drugs in the blood while you drive.