In a bid to limit interactions with people, ICBC is now allowing people to renew their expiring drivers licence by phone.

People will be able to renew their licence up to six weeks ahead of the expiry date by calling the ICBC Driver Licencing Call Centre. A paper licence, valid for 90 days, will be mailed to people.

“Eligible extensions include routine renewals, reinstatement of a licence, and the replacement of a lost licence,” said a statement from ICBC. “Expiring BC Services Cards and BC Identification Cards are not eligible for phone renewals. ICBC will monitor the situation and determine whether the 90-day period needs to be extended further.”

In addition, ICBC is also allowing people to defer their monthly insurance payments for up to 90 days with no penalty. It will apply to people on monthly Autoplan payments, and expands on the previous rules that allowed a single deferral of 30 days.

ICBC has already suspended all road tests, but is now expanding the suspension to all driver knowledge tests as well, unless there is a legal requirement for someone to get a licence. Commercial vehicle knowledge tests will proceed for now, but people will not be able to use a translator as physical distancing requirements cannot be met.

As well, ICBC is asking people who have questions to head online and to keep the phone lines free for other urgent inquiries.