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Seniors BC

Driving

As an older driver, it’s important for you to re-evaluate your driving skills on a regular basis. The British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) Traffic Safety Foundation offers Mature Drivers Workshops that can help you assess your skills, habits and knowledge. The workshops contain tips and strategies for improving your driving and promoting driving self-awareness. These workshops run in a peer-group environment and take a community-based, seniors-helping-seniors approach.

Senior drivers may get discounts on things like car insurance and driver’s licence fees. If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for veterans’ specialty licence plates.

Another resource you may find useful is Drive BC, which offers up-to-the-minute reports on road conditions, travel hazards and road closures. In addition, BCAA offers a range of services, including auto insurance and emergency roadside assistance.

If you have a serious medical problem, you may face restrictions on your driving, or you may have to give up your licence. The B.C. government’s Driver Fitness Program monitors the driving fitness of all drivers, including seniors. Remember that some medications may affect your driving fitness.

Some seniors who continue to drive find less need for a personal vehicle. You may want to look at alternatives such as car-sharing or occasional car rental.

Automobile Insurance Discounts

Drivers over age 65 who only drive for pleasure may get a 25 per cent discount on their Basic Autoplan. Seniors with a disability may be eligible for a further 25 per cent discount on their Basic Autoplan.

Visit ICBC online for more information.

Driver’s Licences

If you are 65 years or older, fees for some services offered by ICBC Driver Licensing Centres are reduced or are free of charge.

Reduced fees for seniors apply to:

  • Driver’s licence renewal
  • Original British Columbia Identification Cards

Free services for seniors include:

  • British Columbia Identification Card, if you are giving up driving and surrendering your driver’s licence
  • Driver’s examinations, including knowledge and road tests

Visit ICBC online for more information on Driver Licensing.

"Living Well, Driving Well" Workshops

The BCAA Road Safety Foundation’s free “Living Well, Driving Well” workshops are designed to increase your awareness about the affects of aging on driving. The workshop will provide information and tools to assist you to:

  • adapt to age-related changes
  • review your own driving
  • plan to keep mobile.

For more information about these free workshops, and other information designed especially for senior drivers, visit the BCAA Road Safety Foundation website.

Driver Fitness

The Driver Fitness Program allows for the testing of drivers of all ages to assess their continued fitness and ability to drive safely. Drivers may have to be examined if there are questions about their continued driving fitness. The Superintendent of Motor Vehicles may decide to direct an individual to ICBC for testing based on a report from a medical professional. 

The Superintendent of Motor Vehicles may also choose to send an individual for a medical exam based on the receipt of a reliable report from a police officer, concerned family member or other individual questioning the individual’s driving fitness and ability (doctors, registered psychologists and optometrists have a reporting obligation under the Motor Vehicle Act).

Medical exams are required:

  • When you apply for, and at regular intervals while holding, a British Columbia commercial driver’s licence;
  • At regular intervals beginning at age 80, as medical conditions affecting driving are more common as people age.

Visit ICBC online for more information on driver licensing and driver testing.

DriveABLE

The Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles has produced two videos about B.C.’s DriveABLE program - the medical assessment used to determine whether drivers have a cognitive issue that will impact their ability to drive safely.

In the first video, the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles explains when and why they use the DriveABLE assessment to determine a driver's medical fitness to continue driving safely.

In the second video, the Superintendent explains what drivers can expect if they are asked to complete a DriveABLE in-office assessment.

Licence Plates for Veterans

Veteran licence plates are available to veterans who served:

  • During wartime
  • In a post-war capacity
  • During a NATO or UN operation, including members of the RCMP and Municipal Police

To apply for a veteran plate, print the application form from ICBC’s website or pick up a copy from your Autoplan broker.

Older Driver Safety

For tips on how to enhance your, or your loved ones', safety on the road, or to move toward driver retirement, visit the Older Driver's Safety website and download their free brochures on driving safety.

DriveBC

The DriveBC website provides you with the most current information on highway conditions for major highways in British Columbia. You can access weather information, travel advisories, road closures, wait times at the U.S. – B.C. border and other important information.

For more information, visit the DriveBC website.