The process you will need to follow to apply for a BC’s driver licence, including the tests you will need to take, depends on the type of licence you have now:
Be sure you have the following documentation when visiting a driver licensing office to apply for a B.C. driver’s licence. Without proper proof of identity and driver licensing history (if applicable), your licence application will not be able to proceed.
Acceptable translations of these documents may be required.
British Columbia has driver licence exchange agreements with these jurisdictions. You may exchange your other licence for an equivalent class B.C. driver's licence (please note that this requires you to surrender your other licence upon application). In most cases, you will not need to take a road test if you hold:
and your licence is valid or expired less than 3 years ago.
1. Take your licence and one piece of primary and one piece of secondary identification to any driver licensing office. You may also be required to provide a translation of your driver's licence and a driver's abstract.
2. Answer some traffic safety awareness questions (you may wish to review RoadSense for Drivers, available at an ICBC driver licensing office).
3. Undergo a vision screening and answer some questions about your medical and physical fitness. You may also be given a medical form to complete if you have a medical condition [click for definition] that might affect your ability to drive or if you're applying for a commercial licence.4. Fill out and sign the application form and other documents.
5. Have your photo taken, and receive your new B.C. driver's licence. Fee: $31.
Your licence is valid for 2 years. Then it can be renewed for 5 years.
You will need to qualify for a B.C. licence if your driver's licence —
To qualify for a B.C. licence, you will need to pass a road signs test, a knowledge test, a vision screening and a road test. You will also need to meet the medical and application requirements.
Here's the process:
1. Review the appropriate ICBC driving guide:
These are available at any ICBC driver licensing office. They can also be downloaded from this Web site. Also consider taking driver training.
2. Take your licence and one piece of primary and one piece of secondary identification to any driver licensing office. You may also be required to provide a translation of your driver's licence.
3. Take the knowledge test and a vision screening at any time. You do not need an appointment. Fee: $15 for the knowledge test. There is no charge for the vision screening.
4. When you are ready, make an appointment for your road test.
See Preparing for road tests for more information on B.C. road tests.
5. Once you've passed all requirements, you will be issued a new B.C. driver's licence and your Out of Province licence (from a jurisdiction that does not meet the Canadian, American, Austrian, German, Swiss, Japanese or South Korean licence criteria above) will be returned to you. There is a fee for the licence.
If you fail to qualify on the road test, your Out of Province licence (from a jurisdiction that does not meet the Canadian, American, Austrian, German, Swiss, Japanese or South Korean licence criteria above) will be retained by ICBC and a B.C. Learner's licence will be issued. Upon passing the roadtest and issuance of a B.C. Driver's Licence, the Out of Province Licence (from a jurisdiction that does not meet the Canadian, American, Austrian, German, Swiss, Japanese or South Korean licence criteria above) will be returned to you.
If you have never held a full-privilege driver's licence, you must complete B.C.'s Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) to receive your B.C. licence.
You will also need to enter GLP if you have had your full-privilege licence for less than 24 months (see note, above).
See Getting Licensed for more information about GLP.
