Which Countries’ Driving Licenses Can Be Exchanged In BC Canada?

Every country including BC Canada issues driver’s licenses to its citizens if they are deemed worthy. It can be challenging to obtain another driving license from another country.

Immigrants in BC Canada, are relieved of such challenges. In BC, Canada, there is a system to exchange a driving license issued in another country for a short period.

This period is not fixed somewhat. It differs with respect to the geographical region, which has its unique laws and regulations.

But to do this, one must understand the entire processes involved. So stay put on getting a sense of these processes and the countries’ driving licenses that you can change in BC, Canada.

BC Canada Driving License Policy

New immigrants have a legal arrangement to use their foreign license up to 90 days after arrival. After that, ICBC, the provincial licensing body, enacted the law. So the process of exchanging your driver’s license is straightforward.

However, suppose you choose to continue driving after a certain period. In that case, you will need to obtain a valid Canadian driver’s license because only a driver’s license issued by British Columbia will be valid.

Also, the exact rules for getting your license vary from province to province, depending on your country of origin.

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You can change your foreign license to get a B.C. driver’s license immediately if your license comes from one of the countries with which the province has an agreement. These countries are:

Germany, Guernsey, Austria, Australia, France, Isle of Man, Jersey, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea (not motorcycles), Switzerland, Taiwan (passenger cars only, not motorcycles), United Kingdom, USA.

License holders from these countries will need to carry an identity document (including a permanent resident card or work/study permit).

In addition, they will need to give up their existing license and answer some basic questions about road safety to obtain a B.C. driver’s license.

Those with a driving experience of more than two years will receive a full Class 5 license immediately. Individuals having less than two years of experience will obtain a Class 7 novice license and may apply for a Class 5 license once they have completed two years of experience.

If your country is not listed above, you will need to have full information and roadworthiness testing to get your Canadian driver’s license. The first step is to conduct a knowledge test at any ICBC office and correctly answer at least 40 out of 50 questions.

Then, you will need to check your road tests. If you already have more than two years of driving experience, you can apply for a full ‘Class 5’ license. If not, you will need to apply for a ‘Class 7’ novice license.

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Documents Needed To Exchange other Countries’ Driving Licenses in BC, Canada.

There are essential documents needed to exchange other countries’ driving licenses in BC, Canada.

These documents include:

• A full B.C. driver’s license; is important to have a valid driver’s license to prove how long you’ve been driving.
• Applicants must provide a current driving license.
• Payment of specified fee.

Procedures To Exchange Other Countries’ Driving License In BC Canada

One must follow some procedures to successfully exchange other countries’ driving licenses in BC, Canada. These procedures include:

• Each person must have completed the Graduate Licensing Program (GLP).
• Translation of important non-English documents.
• Translation of essential documents by a British Columbia Insurance Corporation (ICBC) translator.
• Exchange of driver’s license at a certified driver’s license office.
• Performing an eye test.
• Driving knowledge test performance. To pass this knowledge test, you must;
• Prepare for an online exam
• Visit any ICBC office, show them your passport and driver’s license (usually, you are not required to show your driving record), and proceed to the computers to do your testing.
• If you get at least 40 out of 50 correct answers, you pass
• At this point, ICBC assesses how long you have been living in B.C. The original license will remain with you if it is less than ninety days from your arrival. If not, it will be taken over, and you will receive a temporary Class N license
• Once they have passed both tests, they must check the road. To perform a road test, you must;

1. First, you need to protect the car to be inspected. Just bring the license, registration, and insurance if it is your car. If you are renting or Car2Go / Modo / Zipcar / Ovo, make sure you have car insurance. If it is a driver-training car, you will take the car for yourself.

2. When you arrive at the ICBC office, a legal requirement for a second driver is necessary because you will no longer be allowed to drive if you fail the test, so they want to make sure that someone will return the car if you fail.

• Minimum of sixteen years.

Types Of Licence Exchange In BC Canada

There are two types of license exchange in BC, Canada. They are

• Reciprocal
• Non-reciprocal license exchanges

Under B.C. by law, there are two types of international driver’s license trading, non-refundable and non-refundable.

If your current driver’s license comes from a country where B.C., you have a consensus agreement, you will not need to take information or a road test as long as you apply for a license within 90 days of your arrival in Canada. Eligible countries include:

• Austria
• Australia
• France
• Germany
• Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey
• Ireland
• Japan
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• South Korea (not motorcycles)
• in Switzerland
• Taiwan (not motorcycles)
• United Kingdom
• United States

However, if your country is not on the ICBC exchange list, you will need to successfully pass both the information test and the road test within 90 days of your arrival in Canada.

If you want to improve your road knowledge and Canadian driving laws, we encourage you to browse our driving school courses or sign up for a driving course to test your skills.

Important Note

• When you apply, you must give your current license to ICBC. In B.C., residents are allowed to have only one driver’s license. If you need to check the road and fail, your current license will not be refunded.
• To familiarize yourself with the B.C. traffic rules, enroll at North Shore Driving School, based in North Vancouver.
• If you fail a road test, you can repeat the test in 2 weeks. If you pass the second time, you will receive a temporary Class 5 (full) license, and they will mail you the plastic version within 60 days (approximately ten working days).
• The estimated cost of a road test is:

1. $ 15 for a theater test
2. $ 50 to take a practical test
3. $ 31 for the license itself if you pass
4. $ 200 for driving to school