Not long after I started driving in BC, something unexpected happened. I drove past a sign I’d never seen before — and within seconds, a police officer waiting on the other side was waving me over. This is the story of that ticket, the dispute I filed, and what I learned.
1. What Happened — The Mistake
As I approached an intersection, I noticed an unfamiliar sign on the right sidewalk: a black background with a white right-arrow, and a sub-sign below that read “EXCEPT BUSES AND CYCLISTS” with specific hours listed.
I didn’t fully register what it meant — there was a straight-through lane visible, so I drove straight. That’s when the officer stepped out.
🚨 What this sign actually means:
During peak hours (typically Mon–Fri, 7–9 AM and 4–6 PM), all general vehicles must turn right at this point. The straight-through lane is reserved exclusively for buses and cyclists during those times. The word “EXCEPT” does not mean general vehicles are exempt — it means only buses and cyclists are allowed to go straight.
2. Filing a Dispute Through ICBC
I tried appealing on the spot but was not successful, so I filed a formal traffic ticket dispute. In BC, you have 30 days from receiving the ticket to dispute it. My goals were to reduce the fine and avoid penalty points on my record.
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| ① Ticket received | Pay within 30 days, or file a dispute |
| ② File dispute | Submit dispute form via BC Court Portal or by mail |
| ③ Court date assigned | A date is scheduled (notified by mail, usually weeks later) |
| ④ Appear in court | Present your case directly to a judge |
| ⑤ Outcome | Fine adjusted, dismissed, or upheld |
3. My Day in Court — What Happened
When my court date arrived, I explained my situation to the judge: I was a newcomer to BC, this was a sign I had never encountered before, and I had misread it in a split second. I emphasized that I generally follow traffic laws carefully.
The judge listened. The fine was reduced, but not dismissed entirely — the violation was still on record. The penalty points remained. It was a partial win, and honestly, a fair outcome given that I had made the mistake.
4. What Are Penalty Points?
In BC, every traffic violation comes with a fine and penalty points. These points affect your insurance premiums.
💡 Note: Penalty points stay on your ICBC record for 2 years from the violation date. Accumulating 3 or more points triggers additional insurance surcharges. The more points you accumulate, the higher your premiums rise.
5. What I Do Differently Now
After this experience, I read every road sign much more carefully. My specific habits now:
- For signs with time-range sub-signs, I always check whether the current time falls within the restricted period
- For any “EXCEPT ___” sign, I confirm whether my vehicle type is the exception — or the restriction
BC traffic rules have a lot in common with Korea, but the sign formats and edge cases can be genuinely different — especially for newcomers. The fine stings, but honestly, it’s the penalty points and insurance impact you really want to avoid.
Related posts: How to Exchange Your Korean Driver’s Licence for a BC Licence · 9 BC Driving Rules Korean Drivers Must Know