Driver’s Licence Prohibitions in British Columbia: What You Need to Know
Losing your driver’s licence can significantly impact your ability to work, care for your family, and manage day-to-day responsibilities. In British Columbia, prohibitions on driving privileges can be issued under the Motor Vehicle Act, most often due to driving infractions or accumulated penalty points.
If you’ve received a Notice of Intent to Prohibit or a Notice of Prohibition from ICBC or RoadSafetyBC, it is important to understand what these notices mean—and what steps you can take. In many cases, there are options available, but timing is critical.
Why Driver’s Licence Prohibitions Are Issued
Driver’s licence prohibitions are issued for various reasons, depending on your licence class and driving history. The most common reasons include:
Accumulating too many penalty points on your record within the designated period of time
Committing multiple dangerous driving offences in a short period
Receiving a single serious infraction as a new (N) or learner (L) driver
Failing to comply with graduated licensing conditions
In some cases, an immediate prohibition may be issued for high-risk driving behaviour.
How Prohibitions Affect New and Learner Drivers (L and N Licences)
New drivers in British Columbia are held to stricter standards. Prohibitions for L and N drivers can result from:
A single dangerous driving offence
A single 3-point offence, or two or more lesser offences
Any conduct that ICBC or RoadSafetyBC deems to indicate risky behaviour
Once a prohibition is issued, it resets your graduated licensing period. This means your “new driver” clock starts over, potentially delaying your path to a full licence; yes, you can ‘reset the clock’ more than once.
Fully Licensed Drivers Are Also at Risk
While Class 5 drivers are given more leeway, prohibitions can still be issued based on:
Two dangerous driving offences within a specific timeframe
Fifteen or more penalty points within a specific timeframe
A driving prohibition won’t send you back into the graduated licensing program, but it will be noted on your driving record and may affect future reviews if you end up prohibited again.
Step-by-Step: What Happens After a Notice of Intent to Prohibit
1. You Receive a Notice of Intent to Prohibit
This is a warning that ICBC or RoadSafetyBC intends to prohibit your licence. It is not yet in effect. The letter includes a date, and from that date you have 21 days to apply for a review. During this period, you may continue to drive legally.
Important: Review periods are strict. Many people receive the letter with only a few days remaining to respond. If you miss the deadline, your right to drive will soon be revoked.
2. Requesting a Review Within 21 Days
To request a review, you must:
Submit a written explanation of your need to drive
Include relevant supporting documents (e.g., employment, caregiving responsibilities)
Submit a $100 certified cheque or money order
Ensure your submission is received by RoadSafetyBC within the 21-day deadline
If done correctly, you may continue driving while your review is being processed.
What If You Miss the Deadline?
If the 21-day review period passes and no application is submitted, a Notice of Prohibition will be issued. At this stage:
Your driving privileges are about to be revoked
The review process is still available, but you cannot drive during the review
If caught driving, you may face charges for Driving While Prohibited
Even after the deadline, it is still worthwhile to request a review—but time is of the essence.
What to Expect After Submitting a Review
Most review decisions take 6 to 8 weeks, though delays are common. All applications are handled in the order received. While you wait:
If your review was submitted within the 21-day period, you may keep driving
If you submitted after the deadline, you must stop driving until a decision is made
If Your Review Is Successful
If the adjudicator agrees your circumstances justify continued driving:
The prohibition may be revoked, and
You may be placed on probation, where future infractions will result in immediate prohibition
If Your Review Is Unsuccessful
If the prohibition is upheld:
You will receive a formal Notice of Prohibition
You must sign and submit the acknowledgement form and surrender your licence before the prohibition period begins
If you continue to drive without complying, you may be charged with Driving While Prohibited, a serious offence with potential criminal penalties
Additional Important Notes
There are no work permits or conditional licences available for this type of prohibition
Any new traffic ticket issued after you qualified for prohibition may increase the length of the prohibition
Time spent avoiding the prohibition by not submitting the acknowledgement form does not count toward the prohibition period
When to Contact a Lawyer
If you’ve received a Notice of Intent to Prohibit or a Notice of Prohibition, you should contact a lawyer immediately—especially if you rely on your vehicle for work, school, care giving, or medical needs.
A lawyer can help you:
Understand your options
Draft and submit an effective review application
Collect and organize relevant evidence
Advocate on your behalf throughout the process
Early legal advice can make the difference between a successful review and losing your driving privileges for months.
Need Help Responding to a Driving Prohibition?
Zachary Dallman is an experienced lawyer based in British Columbia who assists clients facing driving prohibitions under the Motor Vehicle Act. If you’ve received a notice and are unsure what to do next, contact Zachary for a free consultation. Book or contact Zachary directly at zachary@zacharydallmanlaw.ca or 778.653.6163.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No legal relationship is formed by reading or relying on this content.