Bob Mackin
The Crown corporation in charge of driver licensing in B.C. is blaming a software problem for a backlog.
ICBC’s North Vancouver headquarters (LinkedIn)
Drivers who have renewed their license this summer have told theBreaker.news that they were advised of a delay of up to three months. One said that he was told by an ICBC driver licensing centre employee on Vancouver’s Westside that there had been an influx of driving tests in May and June.
ICBC spokesperson Greg Harper said a recent software upgrade created a processing and printing backlog and frontline employees have advised drivers applying for cards about the potential delay.
“We are working through the backlog and aim to have it cleared before the end of the summer,” Harper said. “Until we clear the backlog, drivers could experience a delay in receiving their license, however they are able to use their interim driver’s licenses, which are valid for 90 days.”
B.C. identification (ICBC)
Those interim licences, he said, are stamped with red ink to highlight the possibility of delay.
The ICBC website includes a card status tracking page, to find out if a card is on its way or still being processed.
In 2023, ICBC conducted 383,191 road tests and 382,757 knowledge tests, up from 254,912 and 267,092, respectively, in 2019. In 2019, 132,564 graduated licence program learners. In 2023, it was 154,494.
Also last year, ICBC reported more than 3.9 million active driver licenses, including 2.92 million in class 5. The Lower Mainland is home to 1.75 million class 5 holders.
In 2019, the number of active licenses across the province was almost 3.6 million, of which 2.7 million were class 5.
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