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The Driver Improvement Program

Last updated on August 10, 2022

RoadSafetyBC may order a driver to participate in the Driver Improvement Program if they are found to have an unsatisfactory driving record.

If we have identified you, it’s likely because of your penalty points, Criminal Code convictions for serious driving offences, or contact with police.

Program interventions include probation notices, warning notices and driving prohibitions.

Factors considered when we decide how to intervene include:

  • The number of violations received in a specific time frame
  • Repeated violations
  • The type and severity of violations

Warning notices are usually the first step in the Driver Improvement Program. They let a driver know their driving record is being monitored.

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Notice of Driver Probation

A driver on probation keeps their driving privileges. If they receive another violation, their driving record will be reviewed and an adjudicator may prohibit them from driving.

RoadSafetyBC monitors a driver’s record even after their probation ends. They may face a driving prohibition for additional traffic convictions

 

Notice of Intent to Prohibit

RoadSafetyBC will send a Notice of Intent to Prohibit when a driving prohibition is in the public’s interest.

The driver has 21 days to:

  • Begin the prohibition by signing and returning the notice, or
  • Make a written submission to explain why they shouldn’t lose their privileges

A driver can make a review submission after the prohibition begins. But they can’t drive unless RoadSafetyBC tells them in writing they can.

If the driver doesn’t respond within the 21 days, RoadSafetyBC will send a Notice of Prohibition.

Please note: RoadSafetyBC may issue a Notice of Prohibition without having first issued a Notice of Intent to Prohibit. This may happen when a driver commits a violation:

  • During a driving probation
  • Within six months of a driving probation
  • Within two years of a prohibition term

You can apply to have a Notice of Intent to Prohibit reviewed.

Applying for a review

To apply for a Notice of Intent to Prohibit review you must:

  1. Complete the Driver Improvement Program—Application for Review [PDF, 211KB]
  2. Send it to RoadSafetyBC with the $100 review fee. We can't process applications without the entire fee.

Also, you must:

  • Give written reasons in your application why RoadSafetyBC should cancel or shorten the prohibition, and
  • Apply within 21 days of the Notice of Intent to Prohibit or you’ll receive a Notice of Prohibition

Appealing an adjudicator’s decision

You can appeal the adjudicator's decision to the Supreme Court of British Columbia but you’re responsible for the cost.

 

Notice of Prohibition

A prohibition is the most serious Driver Improvement Program intervention. If we send a driver a Notice of Prohibition they must sign it and stop driving. They must also surrender their driver’s licence to ICBC right away.

If the driver fails to sign and return the notice, they risk being served their prohibition by police.

Please note: Driving while prohibited is illegal. If convicted, it carries a minimum fine of $500 for a first offence, a 12-month prohibition and possibly imprisonment.

Applying for a review

To apply for a Notice of Prohibition review you must:

  1. Complete the Driver Improvement Program—Application for Review [PDF, 211KB]
  2. Send it to RoadSafetyBC with the $100 review fee. We can’t process applications without the entire fee.

Also, you must:

  • Give written reasons in your application why RoadSafetyBC should cancel or shorten the prohibition, and
  • Apply within 21 days of the Notice of Prohibition

The RoadSafetyBC adjudicator can consider your:

  • Driving record
  • Personal and financial hardship
  • Family responsibilities
  • Employment, and
  • Other relevant information

Appealing an adjudicator’s decision

You can appeal the adjudicator's decision to the Supreme Court of British Columbia but you’re responsible for the cost.

 

Getting a licence back after a prohibition

When your prohibition term is over you cannot drive until your licence is reinstated by ICBC. If you want to apply to reinstate your licence after a prohibition, you must:

  • Apply for one at an ICBC driver licensing office
  • Pay any licensing and reinstatement fees
  • Pay any money owing to the province or ICBC
  • Meet any other licensing requirements

Drivers in the Graduated Licensing Program must be prohibition-free for 24 consecutive months before they can apply for their Class 5 licence.

 

Driver Improvement Program service fees

Written Submission - $100 (paid to RoadSafetyBC)

Licence reinstatement fee - $250 (paid to ICBC)

Short-term driver's licence fee - $31 (paid to ICBC)

 

Driver Improvement Program policies and guidelines

Adjudicators follow the Driver Improvement Program Policies and Guidelines [PDF, 352KB] when deciding about interventions.