💳  Driver’s License in BC

Getting your drivers license in BC

Do you already have a driver’s license from another province or another country?

• Get your driver’s license exchanged first when you arrive in BC at ICBC, then, exchange your plates with ICBC. This will make your life a lot easier.

• Driver’s License in BC: BC requires a hard copy (on paper) of your driving history. Get this before you leave your province or country.

• Try to get them to give you at least 7 years of your driving history - more if they will let you.

• Seriously. If you don’t bring your history with you, BC will give you a restricted “new driver” license.

  • 🇨🇦 Canadians - get this printout from your provincial licensing office.

  • 🇺🇲 Americans - get this printout from the DOL or DMV in your state.

  • 🌏 Other countries - get this printout from whatever government office issues your driver’s license.

• Car Insurance or Driver’s Insurance: Get a copy of your insurance history and driving history.

• Go to one of the ICBC Driver Licensing offices. Bring your current driver’s license, credit card/debit card/cash to pay the $31 fee, and your driving history (a printout from your old province or state).

• In most cases, you do not take a driving test — they just exchange your old license for a new BC license.

I already have a driver’s license from BC, and I’m just moving into Victoria from another BC city.

• You don’t need to bring a copy of your driver history. ICBC already has it.

• Go to one of the ICBC Driver Licensing offices, and change your address to your new Victoria address.

• They’ll give you a sticker to put on your current license with your new address. Done!

I’ve never had a driver’s license, and need a BC Drivers License now.

• You’ll need to take a driving test, and pass an exam, and meet a few requirements.

• Here’s the ICBC guide: https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/moving-bc/Pages/default.aspx

🛵 I have a scooter or moped. Do I need a motorcycle driver’s license in BC?

• No. You just need a regular BC driver’s license to drive a scooter or moped.

• A motorcycle license does have extra rules and regulations, but you don’t need it if your scooter has a maximum speed of 70km/hour, and a few other requirements to classify it as a “limited-speed motorcycle”.

• Here’s the ICBC guide: icbc.com/driver-licensing/types-licences/Pages/Licence-classes-and-types.aspx

I’m bringing my car with me to Victoria

Nice. We have tips on how to do that, and avoid paying $2,000 or more (hint: make sure you’ve owned the car for more than 30 days)