Driver licensing
Licence restrictions
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:
ICBC - A restriction can be imposed by ICBC as the result of a knowledge test, a road test, or a road signs and signals test.
RoadSafetyBC - Restrictions can be added by RoadSafetyBC if the driver has a medical condition, or functional deficit that requires the use of a device or technology to enable them to safely operate a motor vehicle.
Regulatory requirements - Restrictions can be included as a part of a regulatory requirement for your licence. For example, a supervisory restriction on a learner licence.
There may be the option of an appeal, reconsideration or removal a restriction based on which one it is, and who issued it.
Find your restriction below
About this restriction
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.
How to remove the restriction
You will need to provide an Ignition Interlock Removal Certificate upon successful completion of the Ignition Interlock Program (IIP)
Options for reconsideration
Mandatory referrals cannot apply for reconsideration through RoadSafetyBC
Discretionary referrals can apply for reconsideration with the remedial program reconsideration application form
More information on the administration of remedial programs
About this restriction
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.
How to remove this restriction
Complete a class 6 or 8 road test.
About this restriction
Operation of your motorcycle is limited to:
driving under direct supervision of an adult who holds a valid class 6 driver's licence
a maximum speed of 60 km/h
How to remove this restriction
Pass the Motorcycle Skills Test (MST) to remove this restriction.
About this restriction
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.
Options for reconsideration
For more information please refer to requesting a review to reconsider a driver medical fitness decision.
About this restriction
Road tests taken on motorcycle of 200cc engine displacement or less, result in restriction 13 (no passengers) to be added onto a licence.
How to remove this restriction
To remove this restriction:
conduct a vision screening
pass a traffic signs and lights test
pass a class 6 or 8 road test on a motorcycle with over 200cc engine displacement
About this restriction
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.
How to remove this restriction
Qualify on a re-exam road test.
About this restriction
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.
How to remove this restriction
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.
Getting your driver's licence back
If the restriction is added by RoadSafetyBC for medical reasons
If you have further questions about this restriction, contact RoadSafetyBC at 250-387-7747 or toll-free at 1-855-387-7747.
Options for reconsideration if added by RoadSafetyBC
Please refer to requesting a review to reconsider a driver medical fitness decision.
About this restriction
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.
How to remove this restriction
Driver must qualify on a road test in a van or bus that can seat at least 11 adults (including the driver).
How to remove this restriction
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
About this restriction
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
About this restriction
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
About this restriction
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.
How to remove
Conduct a free vision screening
Pass a traffic signs/lights test and
Pass a pass a class 6 or class 8 road test on a motorcycle over 200cc.
If the restriction is added for medical reasons please refer to RoadSafetyBC.
Getting your driver's licence back
Options for reconsideration if added by RoadSafetyBC
Please refer to requesting a review to reconsider a driver medical fitness decision
If the restriction is added by RoadSafetyBC for medical reasons
If you have further questions about this restriction, contact RoadSafetyBC at 250-387-7747 or toll-free at 1-855-387-7747.
How to remove this restriction
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.
Options for reconsideration
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.
How to remove this restriction
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.
Options for reconsideration
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.
For restrictions issued by RoadSafetyBC
How to remove this restriction
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.
Options for reconsideration
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.
Requesting a review to reconsider a driver medical fitness decision
Driver medical fitness restriction reconsideration application form
For restrictions issued by ICBC
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.
About this restriction
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.
How to remove this restriction
Qualify on all parts of a re-exam road test.
About this restriction
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.
How to remove this restriction
Qualify on all parts of a re-exam road test.
About this restriction
Operation of your motorcycle is limited to:
driving under direct supervision of an adult who holds a valid class 6 driver's licence
a maximum speed of 60 km/h
How to remove this restriction
Pass the Motorcycle Skills Test (MST) to remove this restriction.
About this restriction
Variable conditions allow 51 to be used as either restriction or endorsement. Follow the specific criteria written on your licence.
Restrictions issued by ICBC
Commercial Driver Volunteer Only
Limited Speed Motorcycles Only
Class 6/8 Three Wheeled Motorcycles Only
How to remove ICBC restrictions
If ICBC added the restriction it may be removed by passing the appropriate road test or by downgrading your licence.
Getting your driver's licence back
Restrictions issued by RoadSafetyBC
Visible low air warning device
Hand controls only
Class 6/8 restricted to automatic transmission only
How to remove RoadSafetyBC restrictions
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.
