Accepted ID

To help protect your identity and privacy, you need to show accepted ID at our driver licensing offices. Please double-check that you're bringing the right ID before coming in—it could save you an extra trip or other delays.

Confirm what ID to bring

Answer a few quick questions online to make sure you bring the right ID:

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Accepted ID

You'll need to bring two pieces of ID: one primary, one secondary.

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1

Accepted primary ID

Primary ID must clearly indicate your full name and date of birth.

Type of identification	Note
B.C. driver's licence or learner's licence	Must include your photo. Accepted up to three years after expiry date on licence. If you brought a student, work, visitor, temporary-resident or refugee permit (form IMM1442) on your last visit to our office, you must bring your most current immigration document along with your licence before we will issue you a photo card. If the IMM1442 has less than 6 months validity you will be issued a non-photo 'paper' licence.
BC Services Card (photo)	Accepted up to three years after expiry date on card.
Combination driver's licence and BC Services Card	Accepted up to three years after expiry date on card. Counts as only one piece of primary ID, not a piece of both primary and secondary ID.
B.C. identification card (BCID)	Accepted up to three years after expiry date on card. Older BCID cards without an expiry date are not accepted as primary ID. If you brought a student, work, visitor, temporary-resident or refugee permit (form IMM1442) on your last visit to our office, you must bring your most current immigration document along with your licence before we will issue you a photo card. If the IMM1442 has less than 6 months validity we will not issue you a photo BCID.
Birth certificate	Most Canadian birth certificates are accepted as primary ID. This is also accepted as a foundation document. Some examples of documents that are not accepted include: baptismal certificates certificates of live birth commemorative birth certificates Canadian Registration of Birth Abroad Certificate Quebec birth certificates issued before 1994 Manitoba birth certificates issued by a "division registrar" Ontario Long Form Birth Certificates (also called Registration of birth certificate)
Canadian citizenship card/ certificate	The commemorative sheet that comes with a citizenship card is not accepted as primary ID. If your Canadian Citizenship Card has two different names listed, your legal full name that appears under the coat of arms will be the one used for your application.
Canadian passport	Not accepted if expired. Must be valid. Must be in exactly the same name as your Canadian birth certificate or Canadian citizenship certificate. If it is not, additional name linking document(s) will be required. If it is your first time applying, we recommend bringing your Canadian birth certificate or Immigration/Citizenship primary ID to avoid possible return trips.
Canadian immigration identification record	Not accepted if expired.
Identity card	Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to foreign representatives accredited to Canada. Not accepted if expired.
Permanent resident card (previously Canadian record of landing)	Not accepted if expired. Confirmation of permanent resident IMM5292 or IMM5688 are not accepted as primary ID. Must show your full legal name and date of birth.
Secure certificate of Indian Status	Only cards issued 2009 onwards with the new design and enhanced security features are accepted as primary ID. Not accepted if expired.
Student, work, visitor, or temporary-resident permit (IMM1442)	If any of these documents expire within six months, you'll only be able to apply for an interim driver's licence (paper) and not a photo licence. If you brought these in the last time you visited our office you must also bring in your most current immigration document. Must show your full legal name and date of birth If you used an immigration form (IMM1442) the last time you got your B.C. licence or BCID, you must bring it with you when renewing or replacing your licence or BCID, and when taking a knowledge or road test. Not accepted for a photo or combined BC Services Card application or renewal.

2

Accepted secondary ID

Secondary ID may be expired for up to one year except *passports.

Bank card (both your imprinted name and signature must appear on the card)
Birth certificate from foreign country
Canadian Forces ID
Correctional service conditional release card
Credit card (both your imprinted name and signature must appear on the card)
Department of National Defence 404 driver's licence
Driver's licence (Canadian or U.S.)
Employee ID card with photo
Foreign Affairs Canada or consular ID
Health card issued by a Canadian province or territory. Your name must be imprinted and include your signature and/or photo. (health cards with a signature to acknowledge organ donation are not accepted)
Native Status card
Nexus card
Parole certificate ID
Passport (Canadian or foreign, including U.S. passport card). *not accepted if expired
Pleasure craft operator (Boating licence - Canadian)
Police identification
Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL)
Social insurance card (newer cards without a signature strip are not accepted)
Student card (school ID)

Additional ID requirements

Photocopies

Each identification document must be an original, or a true copy of the original, certified by the issuing government agency.

Non-English documents

If your licence, driving record and ID are in a language other than English, they have to be translated by an ICBC-approved translator. The fees and services vary for each translator-please contact them for more information.

Name changes

If your name has changed (or is different from the name shown on your ID) you must provide proof of this.

If you don't have the right ID

If you were born outside Canada and don't have the required primary ID, please contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada at 1-888-242-2100. Otherwise, please contact us.

Your full legal name

When you first become our customer we will take your full legal name and date of birth from what we call a foundation document. A foundation document is a type of identification that establishes or changes your full legal name and date of birth.

For changes to a surname due to a marriage or divorce, you'll also need to bring supporting documents that show the link from your birth surname to the surname(s) you wish to use.

Foundation documents

If you're born in Canada - Your legal name is the full name that appears on your birth certificate issued by a Canadian Vital Statistics agency.
If you're born outside of Canada - Your legal name is the full name that appears on your most recent immigration document issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Your most recent work, student or visitor permit,
Permanent Resident card or
Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (Note: We will only use the name that appears below the coat of arms).

If there's a mistake in your foundation document – You must get this corrected by the issuing government agency. We will only use the exact full legal name on your foundation document(s).

Driver licensing

Find a Service Location

Accepted ID

Confirm what ID to bring

Accepted ID

Accepted primary ID

Accepted secondary ID

Additional ID requirements

Photocopies

Non-English documents

Name changes

If you don't have the right ID

Your full legal name

Foundation documents

Locate a service near you

Services

Company

Report a claim

Help

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Driver licensing

Find a Service Location

Accepted ID

Confirm what ID to bring

Accepted ID

Accepted primary ID

Accepted secondary ID

Additional ID requirements

​Photocopies

Non-English documents

Name changes

If you don't have the right ID

Your full legal name

Foundation documents

Locate a service near you

Services

Company

Report a claim

Help

Photocopies