Course Approval was developed to assist Driver Training Schools with the content of their training courses.  It came into effect during the advent of the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) which was implemented on August 1, 1998.  The GLP program introduced two new classes of licences for both passenger vehicles (7L, 7) and motorcycles (8L, 8), with minimum time requirements in the learner and novice stages. The current minimum learner stage is 12-months and the current minimum novice stage is 24-months.

A "GLP-Approved Driver Education Course", "ICBC-Approved Driver Education Course" or "Approved Course" is based on the Mapping a Safe Course and Mapping a Safe Course: Motorcyles curricula which provides new drivers who successfully complete an Approved Course with a 6 month reduction in their novice stage if the driver remains violation and at-fault crash-free for the first 18 months of their novice stage.

The Approved Course focuses on both driving attitudes and on driving skills. It includes a classroom and a practical (on-road) component, and endeavors to integrate knowledge learned in the classroom with the practical training taking place on the road.

Driver Training Schools are provided with the core curricula, an Instructor Resource Kit which explains how to build an Approved Course based on the curriculum model, and a Graduated Licensing Program Course Approval Guide explaining what is required to deliver an Approved Course and how to apply to ICBC for course approval. 

Driver Training Schools provide each trainee who satisfactorily completes an ICBC-Approved Driver Education Course with a Declaration of Completion (MV2910) form.  The trainee must present this form to a Driver Licensing Office in order to obtain the 6 month reduction in their novice stage.