Moving to B.C.: Exchange or Get a B.C. Driver's Licence

Choose the correct ICBC path to exchange a valid licence or start B.C.'s Class 7 process, with document, experience, deadline, fee and source details.

Prepared and maintained by Shanaya's Driving School, an independent driving school. ICBC decides each applicant's exchange, testing and licence eligibility. Information checked July 21, 2026.

Choose the path that matches your current licence

  • Valid licence from another Canadian province or territory: apply to exchange it and bring the records ICBC requests.
  • Valid licence from an exchange jurisdiction: some eligible passenger licences can be exchanged without knowledge and road tests.
  • Valid licence from a non-exchange jurisdiction: ICBC generally requires a vision screening, knowledge test and road test.
  • Never licensed: begin the Class 7 learner process.

ICBC considers the licence's validity and class, the issuing jurisdiction and the full-privilege driving experience you can prove. Do not rely on a static country list.

The general 90-day deadline and exceptions

After moving to B.C., you generally have 90 days to exchange a valid out-of-province licence. The home-jurisdiction licence must remain valid.

  • A tourist visiting for up to six months.
  • An eligible full-time student enrolled at a designated B.C. institution.
  • A person ordinarily resident outside B.C.
  • A Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program permit holder, for up to 12 months on a valid home licence.

Confirm an exception with ICBC rather than inferring it from a general study or work permit.

Documents and driving experience

  • One accepted primary and one accepted secondary ID.
  • The current valid driver's licence, which must be surrendered when a B.C. licence is issued.
  • Original proof of full-privilege driving experience.
  • An ICBC-approved translation with the source document when ICBC requires one.

At least two years of provable full-privilege, non-learner experience is required for a GLP exemption. ICBC determines the credit and licence stage. A personal vehicle brought to B.C. generally must be registered, licensed and insured here within 30 days.

Current first-time Class 7 fees

  • $15 for each Class 7 knowledge-test attempt.
  • $10 for the Class 7 photo learner licence after qualification.
  • $35 for each Class 7 road-test attempt.
  • $75 for the first five-year novice licence when issued.

Fees were checked July 21, 2026 and can change. Passing the online knowledge test is not a licence; ICBC must complete the identity, vision and issuance steps before the applicant may drive.

October 19, 2026 GLP transition

The first Class 7 road test remains. For eligible novice drivers, a Driving Record Assessment replaces the second road test. The resulting Class 5 carries restriction 55 for 12 months. Age-based minimum periods, record criteria and transition rules apply, so confirm the individual path with ICBC.

Licensed school and approved GLP course are different

ICBC's general directory lists Shanaya's for Class 5 and 7 driver training. That confirms ordinary school licensing; it is not an endorsement. As checked July 21, 2026, Shanaya's was not listed in ICBC's separate approved-GLP-school directory. Ordinary lessons do not create the approved-course time reduction.

Official sources

For corrections, email book@drivingschoolbc.ca.