Former Fort St. John Driving Instructor Faces Altered Charges

Former driving instructor in Fort St. John, B.C., has seen a reduction in criminal harassment charges, although Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) road tests in the city remain on hold. The B.C. Prosecution Service has altered the charges against David Rowsell from criminal harassment to three counts alleging that victims had valid concerns about potential personal harm to themselves, their partners, or their children. Instead of facing a criminal trial, Rowsell will have a peace bond hearing before the court, as confirmed by Damienne Darby, communications counsel for the B.C. Prosecution Service. The hearing date is yet to be scheduled. Court documents outline incidents between January 2021 and December 2025 involving ICBC employees and other driving instructors in Fort St. John. Rowsell denies the accusations, attributing them to his own claims against the corporation. Despite the charge adjustment, ICBC is collaborating with law enforcement and cannot provide a definite timeline for resuming road tests in Fort St. John. ICBC’s spokesperson, Greg Harper, emphasized the organization’s commitment to safety and stated that road test services would only resume when deemed safe, with updates provided promptly to the community. While awaiting the resumption of road tests in Fort St. John, ICBC has expanded road testing availability in Dawson Creek, with 77% availability over the next 60 days. In a statement to CBC News in December, ICBC disclosed issuing 39 tickets to Rowsell for multiple Motor Vehicle Act violations. Rowsell’s Elite Driver Training School was found to operate without the necessary licenses, leading to the suspension of his school and instructor licenses in 2024 due to violations of regulations and the Code of Conduct. His licenses were further not renewed following notification in October. ICBC reiterated the requirement for all driving schools in B.C. to be licensed and adhere to the driving school Code of Conduct. The charges against Rowsell are ongoing, with his next court appearance scheduled for January 15.