ICBC Knowledge Test: 50 Questions, 40 to Pass, Online or In Person
How many questions are on the ICBC knowledge test, and what is the pass mark?
To get a learner's (L) licence in British Columbia (B.C.), you must pass the ICBC knowledge test. It has 50 multiple-choice questions, and you need 40 right (80 per cent). You get 45 minutes. You can take it online or in person at an ICBC driver licensing office. Each attempt costs CAD 15, and you must be at least 16 years old.
Where these rules come from
The test rules, the online test and the fees come from ICBC's pages on taking the online knowledge test, getting your L and licence and test fees. The booking page for knowledge tests, the graduated licensing page and the B.C. government news release of July 20, 2026 give the booking and consent details. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with ICBC (icbc.com) before you book your test.
ICBC knowledge test: road signs, languages and audio
- Road signs. Almost one in five questions is about road signs.
- 12 languages. The test comes in 12 languages, including Punjabi and Simplified and Traditional Chinese. The guide to test languages has the full list.
- Kiosk or audio. In person, you use a touch screen kiosk. Online or in person, you can choose to listen to an audio recording.
How to study for the ICBC knowledge test
Learn to Drive Smart is the study guide for the test. You can download it, read it on the ICBC app, print the English chapters or pick up a copy at any driver licensing office. ICBC also has an online practice knowledge test and a road signs practice test that shows every sign. For a quick check, try the free practice question on what a yellow diamond sign warns of.
Online or in person: what changes on the ICBC knowledge test
| What | Online | In person |
|---|---|---|
| Where | On a desktop or laptop with a webcam | At an ICBC driver licensing office |
| Booking | Register online and start within 72 hours | Book an appointment |
| Payment | Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit card | Cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit card or personal cheque |
| ID | Accepted primary ID to register, then two pieces of accepted ID at the office | Accepted ID |
How to take the ICBC knowledge test online
- 1Check that you qualify
Since June 9, 2026, the Class 5 and Class 7 knowledge tests can be taken online. You must be a B.C. resident, at least 16 years old, and in Canada or the United States while you test.
- 2Set up your computer and room
Use a desktop or laptop with a mouse or trackpad and a keyboard. A phone or tablet does not work. The webcam must work and stay on for the whole test. Choose a quiet, well-lit place with no shadows or glare and no interruptions from other people or pets.
- 3Register and pay
Register on ICBC's online test page with an accepted primary ID. Pay the CAD 15 fee with a Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit card. The card does not need to be in your name.
- 4Start within 72 hours
Your test link is valid for 72 hours after you register, and you can test at any time of day. Once you start, you have 45 minutes to finish in one session. If you leave the session, your progress is saved but the 45-minute clock keeps running.
- 5Visit an office after you pass
A pass online does not make you licensed to drive. Visit a driver licensing office and pass a vision screening test. Depending on the office, you may need to book a 10-minute appointment. Bring a printed or digital copy of the pass email, two pieces of accepted ID (one of them the primary ID you used to register), your glasses or contact lenses if you wear them, and payment for the licence fee. The guide to the Class 7L learner licence covers what comes next.
What happens if you fail or are disqualified?
What does the ICBC knowledge test cost in 2026?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Knowledge test, each attempt, including a retake after a fail, a disqualification or an expired learner licence | CAD 15 |
| Knowledge test, each attempt, age 65 or older (ask ICBC before you pay online) | Free |
| Class 7 photo learner licence, including renewal or replacement (paid at the office, separate from the test fee) | CAD 10 |
How long do a test pass and a learner licence last?
| What | How long | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Online test result | One year | Visit a driver licensing office within that year to get your licence |
| Class 7L learner licence | 2 years | If it expires, you must retake the knowledge test, but you do not wait any extra time for your road test |
| Time as a learner before your first road test | At least 12 months under 25, or 9 months at 25 or older | You cannot take the road test before this period ends |
Key takeaways
- The ICBC knowledge test has 50 multiple-choice questions, and 40 right answers pass it. You get 45 minutes.
- You can take it online on a desktop or laptop with a webcam, or in person at an ICBC driver licensing office.
- Each attempt costs CAD 15. After a fail or a disqualification, you wait 24 hours online (one day in person) and pay again.
- An online pass is valid for one year, and you still need an office visit and a vision screening test to get your licence.
- Next step: practise on the free British Columbia Class 7 practice test.
ICBC knowledge test: common questions
Can I take the ICBC knowledge test on my phone?
No, not the online test. It needs a desktop or laptop with a webcam, and a phone or tablet does not work. If you have no computer, you can take the test in person at an ICBC driver licensing office.
Can I walk in to take the ICBC knowledge test?
Appointments are required for knowledge tests. At an ICBC driver licensing office (not a Service BC centre or a driver licensing agent), you may be able to walk in during normal office hours. You may wait a long time and might not be served that day.
Do I get a refund if I fail the ICBC online knowledge test?
No. ICBC refunds the online test fee only if a technical issue stopped you from finishing the test, or if you did not start the test within 72 hours of registering. A fail or a disqualification does not qualify.
Can I take the ICBC knowledge test in Punjabi or another language?
Yes. The online and in-person tests are in 12 languages: English, Arabic, Croatian, French, Farsi, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese. The free British Columbia practice test on this site is in English only.
Do I need a parent's consent for the ICBC knowledge test if I am under 18?
Yes, to get your L. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the consent form. For an in-person test, bring the signed and witnessed form, or have your parent or legal guardian come with you. If you test online, you still need the consent when you apply for your licence at a driver licensing office.
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