Future Ex-Pat with driving query!
 

Hi guys, I'm just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation as me and could help me out!

I'll be entering Canada hopefully within the next few months via the Work Experience Canada program, and next year be getting married to my Fiancee whom lives out there.

My problem though is I can't drive (I'm 28 this year).. I've done my theory, I've taken the lessons right up to the test.. then I visited my then friend in Vancouver.. so things got put on hold. Now I've read if I pass my test over here, I still cannot drive in Canada due to not having 2 years experience and my only choice would be to enter the process of learning to drive out there.. a process I'm told can take a total of 2-3 years. Am I missing something? Is it worth passing here, then waiting 2 years and then transferring my license over? if I have a UK License, without Experience.. are there any loopholes that I can skip some of the whole Canadian process of gaining a license and make a 2-3 year process a year or so? OR would I be better saving my money and just starting over out there? (which I may not be able to start until next year due to the temporary Visa I'll be on until then).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Re: Future Ex-Pat with driving query!
 

If you move over without a license or required experience you would have to enter the graduated license program in BC. What is required is listed on the ICBC website. If you get your license in the UK and don't move here for 2 years, you don't go through it.

http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing...ated-licensing

You can reduce the time by 6 months if you take driving lessons. This is the only short cut that is legal.

Whether it is worth waiting or not just because of a drivers license, only you can answer that one.

http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing...ing-experience

Re: Future Ex-Pat with driving query!
 

I've gone through that site previously, what I'm asking though is if I come over for a year, with a UK License via the working holiday program, then Marry next year.. would spending my first official married year in Canada without access to my license.. and then in 2015 request my license be transferred.. is that considered acceptable (eg, has anyone had a similar experience to mine).. or should I just wait until next year and start over in Vancouver.

Which brings up another question.. once I become a perm resident, are there any other road bumps between 'starting over' and gaining a BC licence?

Re: Future Ex-Pat with driving query!
 

Does having a temporary work visa stop you from getting started on the BC license? That is, can't you get a Learner's license as soon as you arrive in BC within the next few months? You could then do your first road test (to get to Novice level) 12 months after that.

Re: Future Ex-Pat with driving query!
 

That is a very good question! I just assumed I wouldn't be allowed due to the temporary status of my hopefully upcoming IEC visa. Has anyone else achieved this?

Re: Future Ex-Pat with driving query!
 

I got an Ontario license on a 1 year work permit many years ago. I don't see why you wouldn't be allowed to do the same in BC if you are legally a resident there.

Re: Future Ex-Pat with driving query!
 

Looks like it's possible. Look here under "Accepted primary ID":

http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/id#

Student, work, visitor, OR temporary-resident permit.

Did you use a student, work, visitor, temporary-resident or refugee permit on your last visit to B.C.? If so, you must bring that permit with you to be served at a licensing office.

If document is expiring within six months, you will only be able to apply for an interim driver's licence (paper) and not a photo licence.

Re: Future Ex-Pat with driving query!
 

Ahh that would be ideal! So hopefully I'd be allowed on the road at least as a Novice by the time I'm Married. Would there be any issues if my visa's/resident status changes whilst I'm a "learner" do you think?

Re: Future Ex-Pat with driving query!
 

If I were you I'd get the full UK licence. Your problem sounds like you start the GDL in BC and then your status might expire before you complete it, so you have nothing to swap back to in the UK. So avoid that problem and get your UK licence now.

But yeah, if you don't have the experience you have to do the GDL and if your status expires, then you can't complete it because they ask to see proof of your legal status when applying.