Hi all

I am hoping to move out to vancouver Island this summer. Initially we will be moving with twp then applying for PNP from inside.

OK heres my confusion, I have heard on here and other places that you are required to pass your BC drivers license within 3 months. I have then also heard that you need your PR card to take the test!!
Is this rule for people with PR status only ie/ If im on twp im classed as visitor and therefor get longer ( until i get pnp) OR am i going to find myself unable to drive after 3 months until my PNP comes through?

I have tried to search for info but am either searching wrong on here or there is nothing specific to my question. I have also tried to look on the ICBC website and again theres nothing specific that I can see that answers my question

Would be grateful for any info anyone can give me

thanks

Even on a twp you have to take the test within 3 months

how can you do that though if you dont have a PR card. Website i just read says you need PR status to take the test???

No, you just need some ID to take the test - so your TWP and passport are enough.

excellent thanks so much for clearing that panic up for me lol

Hi Tanah,

My PR card hadn't arrived when I took my test but they were OK with my passport & the form stapled inside it that you get when you land.

Pleasure - we actually did not get around to taking ours until we had been there for over 6 months and they were fine with it - not that I recommend doing this...!

You can actually drive for about a year if you get an international drivers licence before leaving old blighty, I would have done this if I'd given it any thought.
Just to let you know if you fail you have to give up your UK licence until you pass, so no driving. My wife passed her test while applying for her PR also your 1st licence only lasts 2yrs then its every 5 yrs after that.
Oh!! by the way we passed ours in Nanaimo V.I., traffic not a problem just remember that you should shoulder check then shoulder check and THEN oh yes shoulder check.

This is completely wrong. The international driving licence is nothing more than a translation of your UK licence.

Just to emphasize what bazzz says above:

As a VISITOR you can drive for up to 6 months on a driving license issued outside BC.

As a RESIDENT you can drive for up to 90 days from the date you become resident on a license issued outside BC. After the 90 days, if you have not exchanged your license for a BC one (and for UK license holders this involves passing a theory and road test) you are not allowed to drive until such time as you do so.

An international driving license does not change this law.

I apologise I stand corrected, it is 6mths. The international does let you drive abroad for this period, it is not about changing the law.

Further clarification: if as a resident (whether PR or on a WP), you drive after the 90 day period without gaining a BC licence, you'll be uninsured

That could be a problem then! Please tell me you don't have to parallel park on the test?

Sas x

Hi, we arrived in BC two weeks ago and have taken the knowledge test, with success I should add. You have to be read the literature as the terminology can be confusing. Picking the car up today so shall get some road practice and arrange the test for next month. So don't worry about needing PR paperwork, just need passport and immigration paper which is stapled into your passport at the airport.

There is no need to apologize. This seems to be a very common misconception and we want to be sure you are properly insured just in case you run into us.