Switching drivers license UK to Canadian?
May 3rd 2019, 1:31 pm
#1
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Switching drivers license UK to Canadian?
I went to change my UK license yesterday and was told to wait until I had a permanent residence - makes sense. Does the 90 day period to continue using UK license start on the activation date of my PR or the date when I landed to settle? My activation date was last Sept. I am assuming it's when I landed to settle but just want to make sure I will not be driving illegally. Thanks for clarifying if anyone has been in a similar situation.
May 3rd 2019, 2:56 pm
#2
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Re: Switching drivers license UK to Canadian?
The rules depend on where you are - there isn't a "Canadian" licence, it's a Provincial competence (so there's a BC licence, an AB licence, an ON licence, a QC licence, etc etc). As an example, in BC you don't need a "permanent" residence, you must swap within 90 days of moving to BC ("becoming ordinarily resident"), and they want your accurate address, which you can update online whenever it changes (so a landing trip wouldn't establish ordinary residency, but if you have moved there then just not yet having bought or rented a house you're staying in long-term isn't a reason not to swap). The rules for the other Provinces and Territories will depend on local law.
May 3rd 2019, 3:27 pm
#3
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Re: Switching drivers license UK to Canadian?
Thanks, I am in BC and tried to exchange yesterday but got told I needed a permanent residence first. Thanks for clarifying on the 90 day validity.
May 8th 2019, 7:54 pm
#4
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Re: Switching drivers license UK to Canadian?
I suspect you need to go back and politely tell the ICBC drones they're talking out of their arses. And ask to speak to a supervisor if they try to brush you off again.
Jun 25th 2019, 4:30 pm
#5
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Re: Switching drivers license UK to Canadian?
Jun 26th 2019, 1:31 am
#6
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Re: Switching drivers license UK to Canadian?
Jun 26th 2019, 1:43 am
#7
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Re: Switching drivers license UK to Canadian?
Do you have a visa? Ask what is acceptable to provide proof of residency. Note...you do not have to provide proof of permanent residency...just proof of residency.
Jun 26th 2019, 5:31 am
#8
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Re: Switching drivers license UK to Canadian?
I went to change my UK license yesterday and was told to wait until I had a permanent residence - makes sense. Does the 90 day period to continue using UK license start on the activation date of my PR or the date when I landed to settle? My activation date was last Sept. I am assuming it's when I landed to settle but just want to make sure I will not be driving illegally. Thanks for clarifying if anyone has been in a similar situation.
https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensin...cepted-ID.aspx - see also our Wiki (COPR is not enough) https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Drive...itish_Columbia
Permanent resident card (previously Canadian record of landing)
Not accepted if expired.
Confirmation of permanent resident IMM5292 or IMM5688 are not accepted as primary ID.
Must show your full legal name and date of birth.
Do use this time to get the proof of driving experience for Insurance - https://www.icbc.com/autoplan/moving...residents.aspx Not accepted if expired.
Confirmation of permanent resident IMM5292 or IMM5688 are not accepted as primary ID.
Must show your full legal name and date of birth.
Jun 26th 2019, 6:46 pm
#9
Magnificently Withering
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Oakville, ON
Posts: 6,891
Re: Switching drivers license UK to Canadian?
Do you have your PR Card? BC appears to require one for exchange of licenses instead of your record of landing (COPR) as a Primary ID
https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensin...cepted-ID.aspx - see also our Wiki (COPR is not enough) https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Drive...itish_Columbia
https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensin...cepted-ID.aspx - see also our Wiki (COPR is not enough) https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Drive...itish_Columbia
Permanent resident card (previously Canadian record of landing)
Not accepted if expired.
Confirmation of permanent resident IMM5292 or IMM5688 are not accepted as primary ID.
Must show your full legal name and date of birth.
Do use this time to get the proof of driving experience for Insurance - https://www.icbc.com/autoplan/moving...residents.aspx Not accepted if expired.
Confirmation of permanent resident IMM5292 or IMM5688 are not accepted as primary ID.
Must show your full legal name and date of birth.
Student, work, visitor, or temporary-resident permit (IMM1442)
If the OP does not have a PR card, but is here on a work permit (which is the impression I got from the initial post) then that work permit is an acceptable primary identity document.- If any of these documents expire within six months, you'll only be able to apply for an interim driver's licence (paper) and not a photo licence. If you brought these in the last time you visited our office you must also bring in your most current immigration document.
- Must show your full legal name and date of birth
- If you used an immigration form (IMM1442) the last time you got your B.C. licence or BCID, you must bring it with you when renewing or replacing your licence or BCID, and when taking a knowledge or road test.
- Not accepted for a photo or combined BC Services Card application or renewal.
/edited to add:
but I see the original post was from several weeks ago: hopefully the OP's all fixed up by now.
Jun 26th 2019, 6:51 pm
#10
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Location: SW Ontario
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Re: Switching drivers license UK to Canadian?
I went to change my UK license yesterday and was told to wait until I had a permanent residence - makes sense. Does the 90 day period to continue using UK license start on the activation date of my PR or the date when I landed to settle? My activation date was last Sept. I am assuming it's when I landed to settle but just want to make sure I will not be driving illegally. Thanks for clarifying if anyone has been in a similar situation.
But see also (from your first source)
/edited to add:
but I see the original post was from several weeks ago: hopefully the OP's all fixed up by now.
Student, work, visitor, or temporary-resident permit (IMM1442)
If the OP does not have a PR card, but is here on a work permit (which is the impression I got from the initial post) then that work permit is an acceptable primary identity document.- If any of these documents expire within six months, you'll only be able to apply for an interim driver's licence (paper) and not a photo licence. If you brought these in the last time you visited our office you must also bring in your most current immigration document.
- Must show your full legal name and date of birth
- If you used an immigration form (IMM1442) the last time you got your B.C. licence or BCID, you must bring it with you when renewing or replacing your licence or BCID, and when taking a knowledge or road test.
- Not accepted for a photo or combined BC Services Card application or renewal.
/edited to add:
but I see the original post was from several weeks ago: hopefully the OP's all fixed up by now.
Good point, I had assumed that the OP had done a 'soft landing' in September and had now moved over... but you may well be right -
Jun 26th 2019, 9:24 pm
#11
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Re: Switching drivers license UK to Canadian?
OP mentions activated in Sept last year which I am assuming was the landing but not establishing a residence. When he did the landing he became a PR but if not providing a Canadian address wouldn't have been sent a PR card. He cannot be a student, worker or visitor. So looks like he will have to wait until he gets the PR card as they won't accept the COPR form even though it would be dated Sept 2018.
One of the pitfalls of doing the landing without establishing a residence and not having a PR card.
One of the pitfalls of doing the landing without establishing a residence and not having a PR card.
