Restrictions are placed on a licence to ensure that you can safely operate a motor vehicle based on your own experience, qualifications, specific skills, and abilities.
Restrictions on your licence may be issued by:
There may be the option of an appeal, reconsideration or removal a restriction based on which one it is, and who issued it.
Ignition interlock required | restriction 06
Drivers with this restriction are required to take part in the Ignition Interlock Program (IIP), a remedial program for drivers who receive alcohol-related driving prohibitions.
Program participants must install an ignition interlock, a device that prevents a driver from starting a vehicle if they have alcohol in their body, in all of the vehicles that they drive.
You will need to provide an Ignition Interlock Removal Certificate upon successful completion of the Ignition Interlock Program (IIP)
Class 6 or 8 motorcycle learner’s restriction | restriction 10
Operation of your motorcycle is permitted between sunrise and sunset only. Passengers are also prohibited on your motorcycle while you have your learner's licence.
Class 6L motorcycle learner’s licence restriction | restriction 11
Operation of your motorcycle is limited to:
Pass the Motorcycle Skills Test (MST) to remove this restriction.
Restricted to daylight hours only | restriction 12
You may see this on your licence as a result of a vision screening.
If you have further questions about this restriction, contact RoadSafetyBC at 250-387-7747 or toll-free at 1-855-387-7747.
Class 6 or 8 not permitted to carry passengers | restriction 13
Road tests taken on motorcycle of 200cc engine displacement or less, result in restriction 13 (no passengers) to be added onto a licence.
To remove this restriction:
No Hwy 99 South of Vancouver or Hwy 1 East of Van or West of Hwy 9 | restriction 14
Restriction 14 may be applied to a licence as a result of a road test. Drivers with this restriction are not permitted to operate a vehicle on highway 99 South of Vancouver, or highway 1 east of Van, or west of highway 9.
Qualify on a re-exam road test.
Not permitted to operate class 2 or 4 | restriction 16
If you were licensed prior to 1971, then you may see this restriction that pre-dates the current licence classification system.
For others, the restriction may be placed on a class 1 driver’s licence by RoadSafetyBC for fitness reasons.
If the restriction was placed on licence prior to 1971, then a regular class 1 road test can be taken to remove the restriction.
If restriction 16 is placed on a licence for medical reasons refer to RoadSafetyBC
If you have further questions about this restriction, contact RoadSafetyBC at 250-387-7747 or toll-free at 1-855-387-7747.
Not permitted to operate buses – restricted class 4 licence | restriction 17
If a class 4 road test is completed in a vehicle with a seating capacity of 10 or less adults (including the driver) this restriction limits the driver to operating vehicles of 10 adults or less.
Driver must qualify on a road test in a van or bus that can seat at least 11 adults (including the driver).
Corrective lenses required | restriction 21
In most cases you can come to a driver licensing office and pass a vision test without the use of corrective lenses, for example if you have recently had corrective surgery. If you do not pass this test, and would still like the restriction removed, we will give you a form to take to an optometrist or ophthalmologist and then bring back to our office.
If you have further questions about this restriction contact RoadSafetyBC at 250-387-7747 or toll free at 1-855-387-7747
*W* commercial class not qualified in USA | restriction 22
Code W prohibits the operation of a commercial vehicle in the United States due to a medical condition.
For more information refer to code W for commercial drivers
on the B.C. government website.
If you have further questions about this restriction contact RoadSafetyBC at 250-387-7747 or toll free at 1-855-387-7747
Hearing aid required | restriction 23
This restriction applies to class 1-4 licences or endorsements 18-20. It's placed on a licence when a driver requires hearing aids to meet the minimum hearing guidelines.
If you have further questions about this restriction contact RoadSafetyBC at 250-387-7747 or toll free at 1-855-387-7747
Class 6 or 8 restricted to motor scooters | restriction 24
If a road test is taken on motor scooter, then restriction 24 is added to your licence to restrict driving privileges to motor scooters only. Motor Scooters may be any size.
If the restriction is added for medical reasons please refer to RoadSafetyBC
If you have further questions about this restriction, contact RoadSafetyBC at 250-387-7747 or toll-free at 1-855-387-7747.
Fitted prosthesis/leg brace required | restriction 25
To have the restriction removed, you may complete a road test in order to demonstrate the safe operation of a motor vehicle without the restriction.
If you disagree with the application of a Driver Medical Fitness Restriction
, you may submit a completed Reconsideration Application form to the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles requesting a review of the decision.
Specified vehicle modifications required | restriction 26
To have the restriction removed, you may complete a road test in order to demonstrate the safe operation of a motor vehicle without the restriction.
If you disagree with the application of a Driver Medical Fitness Restriction
, you may submit a completed Reconsideration Application form to the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles requesting a review of the decision.
Restricted to automatic transmission | restriction 28
To have the restriction removed, you may complete a road test in order to demonstrate the safe operation of a motor vehicle without the restriction.
If you disagree with the application of a Driver Medical Fitness Restriction
, you may submit a completed Reconsideration Application form to the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles requesting a review of the decision.
If this restriction was added to your licence prior to 1970 because of a road test taken in an automatic transmission vehicle then please call ICBC to confirm your next steps.
Not permitted to exceed 60 km/h | restriction 35
Restriction 35 is added to a licence when a modified re-exam road test is conducted without the highway or freeway portion of the test.
Qualify on all parts of a re-exam road test.
Not permitted to exceed 80 km/h | restriction 36
This restriction is added to a licence when a modified re-exam road test is conducted without the highway or freeway portion of the test.
Qualify on all parts of a re-exam road test.
Class 8L motorcycle learner licence restriction | restriction 38
Operation of your motorcycle is limited to:
Pass the Motorcycle Skills Test (MST) to remove this restriction.
GLP – Qualified supervisor age 25+ required, 1 passenger | restriction 39
Pass a class 7 road test.
GLP - Class 7 Learner's Licence. Restricted to 5 am to midnight only | restriction 43
Pass a class 7 road test.
GLP - 1 passenger unless supervisor age 25+. Family exempt | restriction 45
GLP - 0 BAC/BDC; Must display *L* Sign; No Electronic Device | restriction 46
GLP - 0 BAC/BDC; Must display *N* Sign; no electronic device | restriction 47
Pass a class 5 or class 6 road test and exit the graduated learner's program.
Variable | restriction 51
Variable conditions allow 51 to be used as either restriction or endorsement. Follow the specific criteria written on your licence.
If ICBC added the restriction it may be removed by passing the appropriate road test or by downgrading your licence.
To have restriction 51 removed if it's medically related you may complete a road test in order to demonstrate the safe operation of a motor vehicle without the restriction.
ICBC respectfully acknowledges that we are privileged to live and work on the traditional and ancestral homelands, both unceded and treatied, of Indigenous Peoples and Nations across British Columbia, each with their own unique traditions, histories and cultures.
We're committed to learning how to better partner with Indigenous communities to further reconciliation. We support employees on their individual paths towards reconciliation and encourage expressions of Indigenous culture at the workplace. We recognize that we are early in our reconciliation journey and will provide more information on the actions we're taking as we progress.