Hi everyone!

I have been reading this forum for ages and have found it to be very valuable for getting information on immigrating to Canada. I have posted on the immigration forum and have gotten a lot of help and encouragement from them. We are landing in Vancouver at the end of April and are really looking forward to it. I have got a query - I have just past my Uk driving test and my husband is about to take his; having visited Vancouver and spending 3 months there, we realised that we need to be able to drive :scared: I have been reading on the ICBC website that we as new drivers will need to join the graduating licence course. My question is: do we really have to start from the absolute beginning or just go straight onto novice. The main problem for us is that we do not know anyone over 25 to sit with us
Can anyone out there offer any insight into our dilemma.

ICBC website is the oracle to all things car -driver - insurance related.

Without the required driver experience (licence held xx however many years) afraid the only route is the graduated licence program.

Unless of course you are from Japan, Korea, Germany, Austria or Switzerland, where you can just walk on in and do a swap over the counter.

Great, isn't it ?

Rich.

and the US

Hi Dax

I'm not sure, but I think you are landing as PR (Congrats!)... but I'll let you know both scenarios. If you are coming for a visit only, you are able to legally drive on your UK driver's licence for 6 months. If, however, you are becoming PR and will be residing in BC, you have 90 days in which to get a BC DL.

As you are new drivers in the UK, you will most likely be under the graduated licencing program, but I'm thinking you would be treated as a novice. I'll certainly ask!

If need be, local driving schools offer courses geared towards the seasoned driver from another country who just wants to learn the "new" ways of the road. They may be able to help you.

Oggy

Wish I was from one of those aforementioned countries - allowed to swap my licence over the counter! LOL But, thanks all for your replies. I will most definitely ask if I can be treated as a novice.

believe me you will be grateful you do start as a beginner in BC. As novices you have not encounter driving in UK enough yet to try and think you will master their roads. I actually think you are lucky not to have got into the UK way of driving. I have driven for 25 years in the UK, and despite travelling all around the world I am scared stiff at the thought of driving on the other side of the road. I hate it, and is my only fear. I also hate the thought at my age to have to take any sort of test again. it is very difficult to teach an old dog new tricks. But you are just puppies!!! you will find it much easier than some.
Take some lessons when you get out there. Even us oldies are treated as if we are novices.

Driving on the other side is really easy to get the hang of and after a few days you will think that you had driven that way all of your life. I can now get in and out of cars and change as though its natural. Don't worry.

Don't say that, I may hubby drive whenever we go. i can doze off then after long flight and have a drink in the pub without worrying about driving!!

I know I am stupid. I am not scared of anything and only drive big cars her in the Uk. I am a car nut I love them and change like the wind. Like everything else i will take it in my stride. I jsut want to gooooooooooo now, I am getting stir crazy here. I am finding myself salivating at any brown envelopes I see on the the floor with the mail now. I can practically run and catch the mail before it lands . I have recently began workng from home so I have become even worse!

I keep practicing the BC theory test online, so hopefully I will be able to get through that at least as soon as we get there.

Thankyou for this post..i have found it encouraging and positive. As i am trying to get used to drivign on the other side of the road.*S*

Driving on the wrong side is actually easier when the roads are busier - you just follow the line! Its hardest if the road is completely empty and you are tired.

Mrs G

I passed my knowledge test and class 5 road test within a month of being here. I paid to have proper lessons and read the book they gave you. The online knowledge test didn't fully prepare me for all the questions though, so I would really recommend getting the book right away from the place you get licences from and reading it really thoroughly.

I had driven for years in the UK, so I didn't have to start from scratch. My daughter has a learner's licence though and cannot take her test until a year after getting the licence. She also has to do at least 60hrs of driving practice. I take her out regularly now and there are strict rules governing number of people allowed in the car etc.

I hope you can find someone to sit with you when you practise driving, if you were moving here I would offer to help but I'm a ferry ride away from Vancouver!

Good luck.
Donniboo