Driving Tests

Moving to BC: How to Transfer Your Driver's Licence in 90 Days

informational·how to guide·Published October 8, 2026·Updated October 20, 2026

How long can I drive on my old licence after moving to B.C.?

You have 90 days after you move to British Columbia (B.C.) to switch to a B.C. driver's licence. During those 90 days you can drive on your valid licence from another province, territory or country. Book an appointment at an ICBC driver licensing office and bring two pieces of ID, your current licence, the fees and proof of driving experience.

Where these rules come from

The rules come from ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) pages, as of 2026: moving to B.C., moving from outside Canada and moving to B.C. under the 2026 licence changes. The ID, fee and proof-of-experience details come from ICBC's accepted ID, fees and proving your driving experience pages. The zero alcohol and drug rule for new residents comes from B.C. Order in Council 350/2026. ICBC's fee page does not say which licence fee applies to each newcomer, so ask ICBC when you book. Confirm the rules with ICBC (icbc.com) before your appointment.

Who has to switch within 90 days, and who can keep their licence

Some people do not have to switch. With a licence from another province or territory, a visitor for up to six months or a full-time student at a designated institution can keep driving on it. From outside Canada, the same goes for a tourist for up to six months and for a student with a valid student exemption for full-time study in B.C. International students can read more in the guide to driving in B.C. as an international student.

Which passenger licences you can exchange for a B.C. licence

Which passenger licences you can exchange for a B.C. licence
Where your licence is from	Testing for the exchange
Any Canadian province or territory	Knowledge test and road test waived
United States (with Washington DC and Puerto Rico)	Testing waived for passenger and motorcycle licences from most states
Austria, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands (not Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius or St. Maarten), the United Kingdom	Knowledge test waived for passenger licences and most motorcycle licences
New Zealand, Switzerland, South Korea, Taiwan	Knowledge test waived for passenger licences (not for South Korean or Taiwanese motorcycle licences)
Any other country or region	Knowledge test and road test required

How to switch your licence at ICBC, step by step

1
Book an appointment
Book at an ICBC driver licensing office. If you hold only a learner's licence, ask ICBC before you book.
2
Bring your documents
Bring the ID and documents in the list below.
3
Let ICBC work out your class
ICBC decides your driving experience and the class you can take the test for.
4
Take any test your licence needs
Some licences need a knowledge test and a road test. You have up to 90 days to finish them, so start early. Bring another qualified driver to your road test, in case you do not pass.

What ID and documents to bring to ICBC

Two pieces of accepted ID: one primary and one secondary.
Your current driver's licence and the licence fees.
Proof of your driving experience, such as an original, current licence that shows the issue date of your first licence.
A permanent resident card is primary ID if it is not expired. A Canadian or U.S. driver's licence is on the secondary ID list.
If your student, work, visitor or temporary resident permit (form IMM1442) is your ID and it expires within 6 months, you can apply only for an interim paper licence, not a photo licence.
A licence, driving record or ID that is not in English needs a translation by an ICBC-approved translator.

How to prove your driving experience in B.C.

For most Canadian provinces and territories, ICBC can see the date you were first licensed, so you do not need to bring proof. Experience from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon or Nunavut needs extra steps. For a full Ontario G licence or higher, ICBC counts the time since the issue date on your current licence plus 12 months.

Which B.C. licence class you get after the switch

Since October 19, 2026, your age and months of non-learner experience set your B.C. class. With a licence from Canada or a place on ICBC's exchange list, 24 months or more gets you a Class 5 licence at 25 or older; under 25, you need 36 months or more. With less, you get a Class 5 with restrictions or a Class 7N (novice) licence. A new resident who gets a Class 5 with less experience than that must not drive with any alcohol, cocaine or THC in the body for a set period. The guide to driving experience for new B.C. residents has the full table.

If you cannot simply exchange your licence

Your licence is from a country or region that is not on the exchange list

You can still apply for a B.C. licence, but you take a knowledge test and a road test. You qualify on the knowledge test first and then wait for a road test appointment.

You cannot prove your driving experience

You complete all testing: a vision screening and, depending on your years of driving experience, a knowledge test and a road test.

You never held a B.C. licence, your licence expired more than three years ago, and you cannot prove that you drove on a valid licence in the last three years

You take a knowledge test and a road test.

You need to take the knowledge test

It is multiple choice, and you need 40 out of 50 questions right to pass.

What you give up when you switch

You hand in your old licence to ICBC, because B.C. law lets you hold only one driver's licence. If you must take a road test and do not pass, you get a B.C. learner's licence, and ICBC does not return your old licence.

What it costs to switch your driver's licence in B.C.

What it costs to switch your driver's licence in B.C.
Fee	Amount (CAD, as of 2026)
First 2-year licence for a non-learner driver moving to B.C.	CAD 31
First 5-year novice licence	CAD 75
Knowledge test, each attempt (free at age 65 or older)	CAD 15
Road test, Class 5, 6, 7 or 8	CAD 50

Key takeaways

You have 90 days after you move to switch your licence, and you can drive on your valid licence in that time.
No knowledge or road test applies to a passenger licence from any Canadian province or territory. Most U.S. states get a testing waiver, and the other listed countries get a knowledge test waiver.
Since October 19, 2026, your age and months of non-learner experience decide if you get Class 5, Class 5 with restrictions or Class 7N.
Next step: if you need the knowledge test, practise on the free British Columbia Class 7 practice test.

Switching a driver's licence to B.C.: common questions

Do I need to take a driving test to switch a licence from another Canadian province?

No. B.C. waives the knowledge test and the road test for a passenger licence from any Canadian province or territory. You book one appointment at an ICBC driver licensing office, and ICBC then decides your B.C. class from your age and your months of non-learner experience.

Can I drive in B.C. on my U.S. licence?

Yes, for up to 90 days after you move to B.C. A tourist can keep driving on a U.S. licence for up to six months. To switch, B.C. waives testing for passenger and motorcycle licences from most U.S. states.

Can I take the ICBC knowledge test in my own language?

Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 knowledge tests are available in 12 languages. All driver licensing offices also give free phone interpretation in 170 languages, so you can ask for an interpreter at your appointment. The free British Columbia practice test on this site is in English only.

Do I need a road test if my licence is from the U.K. or Australia?

No, not to exchange a passenger licence. ICBC lists the U.K. and Australia among the places whose licences can be exchanged for a B.C. licence without additional testing, and B.C. waives the knowledge test for passenger licences from both. Your age and months of non-learner experience then set your B.C. class.

Can I switch my licence if I have driven on a full licence for less than a year?

Yes, with a licence from Canada or a place on ICBC's exchange list, but ICBC issues a Class 7N licence. At 25 or older, you can upgrade to Class 5 with restrictions after 12 months of non-learner experience. Under 25, the upgrade comes after 24 months.