helcat12

Apparently, you now no longer have to do a new driving test in British Columbia. The rules have changed - you used to be able to use your UK one for 6 months, I believe, but had to take a BC test to be able to drive after that. But now if you have a UK license you can just exchange it for a BC one. OH found this out this week.
Completely wasted my time downloading the BC Driving test information!

JonboyE

You can use your UK license for up to 6 months as a visitor or up to 3 months as a new resident. The rules changed very recently and now a UK license holder who has held their license for at least 2 years can exchange it for a BC driver's license.

helcat12

Brilliant, isn't it?!

Waggle

So as a new resident you presumably have to trade your UK license in for a BC license within 3 months of taking up residence?

It is possible to hold a UK driving license and a BC driving license at the same time?

Wayne.

helcat12

Well, you have to surrender the UK license in B.C within the first 90 days of being there and you can drive in the UK on a B.C license for a year, so there is no point having both at the same time.
There is an eyesight test as well. If you want to go back to the UK permanently, you have to exchange it back.That's what they have just told OH.
It is very useful to have Canadian I.D early on, we have found and this is a great and easy way to get it if you have a UK driving license.

Aviator

You don't give up your UK license privileges, ICBC just take the plastic license/paper away. As far as DVLA are concerned you still hold a valid UK license until yours expires.

If you are in the UK, no reason you cannot apply for a duplicate. They won't send one to an overseas address.

Cannot see a reason to need both though.

helcat12

We thought that - if you really wanted you could apply for a duplicate copy of the UK one, but as you say there's no point really.
It is relief not to have to go through all the bother and expense of taking another test, though.
OH forgot to ask, but as he has his bike qualification on his UK license as well will that also transfer to the B.C license?

Hammy1976

happy days

LinsyPinsy

Is there not even a small theory test...Im sure I read that somewhere on BE

Also, when hiring a car in the UK are there any advantages to have a UK licence? Just trying to decide if we should get a duplicate.

Cheers

Lins

Mental Mavis

Handed my in a few weeks ago and they just wanted the plastic one, so both the OH and I kept the paper part of the licence.

In terms of the test, we weren't asked any questions, we just had to do the 'stare into the machine' eye tests, and lo and behold, a yellow short term licence was produced, and a week later, the finished article.

All very civilised.

helcat12

Changes are very recent, so posts you have read may not have been bang up to date. That's why I started this thread. Thought some people might not have found out yet and might worry or waste time on it when there is no need any more

Aviator

Now or 15 years down the road. I was told they would give me a bike license if I had my UK license to hand over (I don't anymore).

helcat12

Don't think he can wait that long! He was gutted to sell his beloved bike here and has lareday scoped out the bike shops and priced up the same bike (and bigger) in B.C!
You can take the bike away, but he's still a biker!

The4BellsLondon

Yes they will put bike licence on it too - Hubby had his updated a few weeks ago!

I still have full uk licence and a BC one cos I did mine last year (test) - so they never took my uk one off me .

helcat12

Fantastic - he will be one happy bunny
Mind you, maybe I had better not tell him or he might squander the money for my new house on some shiny super-beast that winks at him from the Harley Davidson dealership