ICBC has announced plans to increase the length of new driver’s licence numbers (DLNs). Numbers on existing driver licences are seven (7) digits and will not change; but beginning in 2023, numbers assigned for new driver licences will be eight (8) digits. Indigenous and local governments are encouraged to consider whether this change could impact their information systems and business operations.
From 2023 onwards, information systems that deal with driver’s licence numbers will need to be able to handle both 7-digit and 8-digit driver’s licence numbers. In cases where system upgrades or changes are necessary to incorporate 8-digit DLNs, ICBC has established a timeline for this work to take place:
- Jan-Sept 2022 partners/stakeholders evaluate their information systems and implement upgrades
- Oct 2022 ICBC begins work with partners/stakeholders to test the upgraded systems
- June-July 2023 partner/stakeholder system upgrades and testing complete
- Aug 2023 ICBC begins assigning 8-digit numbers for new driver licences
Detailed information is available on the ICBC website, including information session materials and contact information for the project team in charge of driver licence number changes.