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Last updated Friday, Apr 09, 2021 08:51 AM

Moving to B.C.

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​Moving from outside Canada

Welcome to B.C.! After moving here, you have 90 days to switch your valid licence to a B.C. driver’s licence.

The 90-day rule does not apply and you may continue to drive on your current licence if you:

  • are visiting as a tourist for up to six months
  • have a valid student exemption due to full-time enrollment at a designated educational institution in B.C.
  • are temporary foreign worker with a federal work permit designating that you are in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). Workers in the SAWP may drive for up to 12 months on a valid licence from their home jurisdiction. If you’re staying longer than 12 months under SAWP and want to continue driving then you will need to get a B.C. driver’s licence.

Requirements for new B.C. residents

New B.C. residents are required to provide their driver licence history — proof of insurance is not required.

Each year you remain crash-free, your insurance discount increases. ICBC will credit you with up to 15 years of driving experience (up from eight years) upon receipt of an acceptable driving record showing the original date that you received your licence. Your premiums will be adjusted for the first three years of driving in B.C. due to the increased risks associated with driving in a new area.

If you've previously held a B.C. driver's licence and are returning to the province, your insurance will be calculated based on the date of your first B.C. driver's licence.

For all applicants, if your out of province licence is expired over three years and you cannot provide proof you have been driving on a valid licence since then you will be required to take a sign and signals knowledge test and a road test.

Driving experience requirement

Proof of a minimum of two years driving experience is needed to be exempt from B.C.’s Graduated Licensing Program. If you don't have two years' driving experience (with a full-privilege, non-learner licence) or can't prove it, you can still get a Class 7 or Class 8 licence with graduated licensing restrictions.

 

How to apply for a B.C. licence

Giving up your previous licence

B.C. law requires that you only have one driver's licence. If you qualify for a new B.C. driver's licence, you will need to surrender your previous licence to ICBC.  

If you are required to pass a road test and do not pass, you will be issued a B.C. Learners licence, and your previous licence will not be returned to you.

​​Reciprocal licence exchange

Driver licensing requirements are based on where your current licence is from.

In addition to having reciprocal arrangements with every Canadian province and territory as well as every US state, B.C. has reciprocal licence exchange agreements with many jurisdictions:

  • Austria
  • Australia
  • Belgium
  • France
  • Germany
  • Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey
  • Ireland
  • Japan
  • Netherlands
    • Except former territories in Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten.
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea (not motorcycles)
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan (not motorcycles)
    • If you're from Taiwan you will be able to exchange your licence for a passenger vehicle licence only. You must provide the following documents:
      • Taiwanese driver's licence card,
      • Verification certificate of driver's licence with red seal stamp (available in Taiwan only), and a translation of your driver's licence by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Vancouver. You can get an ICBC translation form at any driver licensing office.
  • United Kingdom (includes England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
  • United States (includes Washington DC and Puerto Rico)

Exchanging your licence

If you’re from one of the countries listed above then follow these steps to exchange your licence.

Steps for passenger vehicle licences (class 5) or motorcycles (class 6).

Book an appointment to visit an ICBC driver licensing office and bring the following to apply for your licence:

Commercial licences

For a commercial licence from outside of Canada, you will need to qualify on applicable knowledge and road tests. You may also need to complete B.C.'s new Class 1 MELT course​ if you are applying to be a Class 1 commercial driver. Otherwise you can exchange your licence for a passenger vehicle licence.

Non-reciprocal licence exchange

If you’re from any other country not listed as “reciprocal”, you can still apply for a B.C. licence. But in addition to the application, you will need to take a knowledge and road test.

You have up to 90 days to complete the process of exchanging your licence, but we recommend you start early as you will need to qualify on a knowledge test first and then wait for an available road test appointment.

Book an appointment for your knowledge test. In the same appointment, we will collect the informaton from your ID and driving experience from your country.

What to bring to your knowledge test appointment

Step 1: Take the knowledge test at any driver licensing office.

The knowledge test is a multiple choice quiz that tests your knowledge of road signs and the rules of the road. You’ll need to get 40 out of 50 questions right to pass.

Step 2: Take the class 5 road test

After you have qualified on the knowledge test you will be able to make an appointment for a road test.

Note: Bring another qualified driver with you for your test in case you don't pass.

New to B.C.?

Get information in Punjabi or Chinese

Getting documents translated

If your licence or driving record is in a language other than English, an ICBC-approved translator located in B.C. will need to translate your documents.