British driving licence
Apr 9th 2014, 11:11 pm
#76
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Edmonton,Alberta
Posts: 482
Re: British driving licence
It's better to get a replacement DL before moving here then hand over the replacement one for the Canadian DL, keeping your original.
I've had a motorbike licence for 35 yrs but when I swapped in Canada, lost that entitlement, now when I go on holiday I cannot rent a motorbike anymore.
I didn't expect Canada to give me that entitlement but didn't know Canada takes your UK DL.
Hindsight..............
I've had a motorbike licence for 35 yrs but when I swapped in Canada, lost that entitlement, now when I go on holiday I cannot rent a motorbike anymore.
I didn't expect Canada to give me that entitlement but didn't know Canada takes your UK DL.
Hindsight..............
Apr 9th 2014, 11:29 pm
#77
"In cruce vincam"
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Re: British driving licence
At the end of the day, with this thread, who really cares? Anyone with any sense must be able to acknowledge that a UK licence is not valid in the UK if the person named on that licence is not resident in the UK. You may still "have" a UK licence because no-one ever asked you to exchange it, but if you were in any trouble that required the validation of said licence, I think you would find it is not valid. I think the moral issues, semantics and all the other "yeh but's" in this debate are broadly irrelevant. Unless you can give a valid UK address at which you reside and you are legally a resident of the UK, it would seem pretty unequivocal to me that you cannot hold a current "valid" UK driving licence. If anyone is, frankly, arrogant enough to think all these laws don't apply to them for some reason, then welcome to the world shared with my father in law!
Apr 9th 2014, 11:37 pm
#78
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,982
Re: British driving licence
No one cares until you are in a shunt with a non insured driver. Ouch.
Apr 10th 2014, 12:12 am
#79
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Qc, Canada
Posts: 3,787
Re: British driving licence
Really?
I'm aware that it is illegal in Alberta. Don't know about other provinces, & would be very interested to see any Canadian law/regulations on the subject.
SB
I'm aware that it is illegal in Alberta. Don't know about other provinces, & would be very interested to see any Canadian law/regulations on the subject.
SB
Last edited by Shirtback; Apr 10th 2014 at 12:56 am. Reason: Toning done the sarcasm ;)
Apr 10th 2014, 1:21 am
#80
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: The 'Wack
Posts: 815
Re: British driving licence
Giving up your previous licence
Please note that when you qualify for your new B.C. licence, you’ll need to surrender your previous licence to ICBC. B.C. law requires that you only have one driver's licence.
Apr 10th 2014, 1:59 am
#81
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: British driving licence
http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing.../other-country
Giving up your previous licence
Please note that when you qualify for your new B.C. licence, you’ll need to surrender your previous licence to ICBC. B.C. law requires that you only have one driver's licence.
Giving up your previous licence
Please note that when you qualify for your new B.C. licence, you’ll need to surrender your previous licence to ICBC. B.C. law requires that you only have one driver's licence.
I am also in possession of two driving licences (only one of which, the Ontario one is valid for driving). The other though (in my case as it happens a German one) is still legally in my possession and has not expired (it will expire on my 70th birthday, yet some way off).
I can (and will) swap it for a French licence next year, thus avoiding having to take a test there. It's proof that I am licensed to drive in the EU even though I can't use it to drive in the EU.
HTH
Last edited by Novocastrian; Apr 10th 2014 at 2:07 am.
Apr 10th 2014, 2:08 am
#82
"In cruce vincam"
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Re: British driving licence
At the risk of stirring up a particularly murky pot, I'd like to leap to the defence of Shirtback.
I am also in possession of two driving licences (only one of which, the Ontario one) is valid for driving. The other though (in my case as it happens a German one) is still legally in my possession and has not expired (it will expire on my 70th birthday, yet some way off).
I can (and will) swap it for a French licence next year, thus avoiding having to take a test there. It's proof that I am licensed to drive in the EU even though I can't use it to drive in the EU.
HTH
I am also in possession of two driving licences (only one of which, the Ontario one) is valid for driving. The other though (in my case as it happens a German one) is still legally in my possession and has not expired (it will expire on my 70th birthday, yet some way off).
I can (and will) swap it for a French licence next year, thus avoiding having to take a test there. It's proof that I am licensed to drive in the EU even though I can't use it to drive in the EU.
HTH
Apr 10th 2014, 2:09 am
#83
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: British driving licence
You're quite correct in what you say and in that context it makes sense that you can convert your German licence for a French one without having to apply for a new ~German one. I suppose it's a bit like being, say, a chartered accountant. You can have passed all the exams and been admitted to the institute, but unless you pay your annual dues, you are not entitled to call yourself a Chartered Accountant. Same with the licence; you might possess it, but it doesn't mean anyone is entitled to use it.
Apr 10th 2014, 2:15 am
#84
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: The 'Wack
Posts: 815
Re: British driving licence
At the risk of stirring up a particularly murky pot, I'd like to leap to the defence of Shirtback.
I am also in possession of two driving licences (only one of which, the Ontario one is valid for driving). The other though (in my case as it happens a German one) is still legally in my possession and has not expired (it will expire on my 70th birthday, yet some way off).
I can (and will) swap it for a French licence next year, thus avoiding having to take a test there. It's proof that I am licensed to drive in the EU even though I can't use it to drive in the EU.
HTH
I am also in possession of two driving licences (only one of which, the Ontario one is valid for driving). The other though (in my case as it happens a German one) is still legally in my possession and has not expired (it will expire on my 70th birthday, yet some way off).
I can (and will) swap it for a French licence next year, thus avoiding having to take a test there. It's proof that I am licensed to drive in the EU even though I can't use it to drive in the EU.
HTH
I had to hand mine over before being given my BC license though.
Apr 10th 2014, 2:17 am
#85
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2013
Location: SW Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,960
Re: British driving licence
At the risk of stirring up a particularly murky pot, I'd like to leap to the defence of Shirtback.
I am also in possession of two driving licences (only one of which, the Ontario one is valid for driving). The other though (in my case as it happens a German one) is still legally in my possession and has not expired (it will expire on my 70th birthday, yet some way off).
I can (and will) swap it for a French licence next year, thus avoiding having to take a test there. It's proof that I am licensed to drive in the EU even though I can't use it to drive in the EU.
HTH
I am also in possession of two driving licences (only one of which, the Ontario one is valid for driving). The other though (in my case as it happens a German one) is still legally in my possession and has not expired (it will expire on my 70th birthday, yet some way off).
I can (and will) swap it for a French licence next year, thus avoiding having to take a test there. It's proof that I am licensed to drive in the EU even though I can't use it to drive in the EU.
HTH
And about the whole residency thing, like you explained Novo you may have the license but not be entitled to use it.
In my case when I move to Malta, I will have to take a Maltese test as I cannot simply exchange the Canadian (ontario) one for a Maltese one. I will then have two licenses. Only one will be technically valid; the Maltese one, because I am residing in Malta. The Ontario one would be invalid unless I became again resident in Ontario. It would then become valid without me retaking the ontario test. (Correct me if im wrong but im fairly sure thats how it works)
Apr 10th 2014, 2:37 am
#86
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2014
Location: Singapore
Posts: 4
Re: British driving licence
Hi, i have an international driver's license can i use it in UK? Thanks!
Apr 10th 2014, 3:04 am
#87
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2013
Location: SW Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,960
Apr 10th 2014, 5:22 am
#89
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: British driving licence
Ontario:
You are required to surrender your licence with the exception of Japan.
http://www.drivetest.ca/EN/licencing...l-Licence.aspx
Apr 10th 2014, 7:04 am
#90
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: High River AB
Posts: 571
Re: British driving licence
Here's another question.
I know a woman that's been here 6 years in Sept, on a TWP and still driving on her UK licence. I know this is illegal in Alberta but because she is still a resident of the UK, can she legally use that licence elsewhere ?
BTW, she has been caught speeding 5 or 6 times in that time as well.
I know a woman that's been here 6 years in Sept, on a TWP and still driving on her UK licence. I know this is illegal in Alberta but because she is still a resident of the UK, can she legally use that licence elsewhere ?
BTW, she has been caught speeding 5 or 6 times in that time as well.