UK Driving license in BC
#1
UK Driving license in BC
Hi
I was told at work today that the UK & BC have just put in place a reciprocal agreement that means that as from 29th June 2010 UK driving licenses are to be accepted for a direct switch meaning that there is no need for any tests so long as you have two years driving experience. You just have to pay a fee to transfer it over but they retain your UK license and sent it back to DVLA.
I couldn't find anything on the web so I checked with ICBC in Victoria and they said that this was correct.
Yelkcub
I was told at work today that the UK & BC have just put in place a reciprocal agreement that means that as from 29th June 2010 UK driving licenses are to be accepted for a direct switch meaning that there is no need for any tests so long as you have two years driving experience. You just have to pay a fee to transfer it over but they retain your UK license and sent it back to DVLA.
I couldn't find anything on the web so I checked with ICBC in Victoria and they said that this was correct.
Yelkcub
#2
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: UK Driving license in BC
It's not on the ICBC website just yet (either as a press release or in the official bit). You'd think that it would be somewhere on the web given it's only weeks away and it must require some legislation to be allowed.
Not that it matters to me, like most on here I did the test already (it was quite a bit easier than the UK test, so I don't really know why people are scared of doing it). On the other hand, the OH hasn't got round to it yet - so she'll benefit if you are right.
Not that it matters to me, like most on here I did the test already (it was quite a bit easier than the UK test, so I don't really know why people are scared of doing it). On the other hand, the OH hasn't got round to it yet - so she'll benefit if you are right.
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 31
Re: UK Driving license in BC
That's amazing news! Thanks!
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 106
Re: UK Driving license in BC
We did our BC drivers test last year, but OH is thinking of taking his bike licence soon. He had a UK motorcycle licence for 15years . . . .hopefully this means its just a transfer???????
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Abbotsford, BC
Posts: 450
Re: UK Driving license in BC
Me too sat test last month typical!
#7
Re: UK Driving license in BC
Oh I have timed this just right, thanks so much for that info...
I have been having some worries about that!
Sarah x
I have been having some worries about that!
Sarah x
#8
Re: UK Driving license in BC
Hi
I was told at work today that the UK & BC have just put in place a reciprocal agreement that means that as from 29th June 2010 UK driving licenses are to be accepted for a direct switch meaning that there is no need for any tests so long as you have two years driving experience. You just have to pay a fee to transfer it over but they retain your UK license and sent it back to DVLA.
I couldn't find anything on the web so I checked with ICBC in Victoria and they said that this was correct.
Yelkcub
I was told at work today that the UK & BC have just put in place a reciprocal agreement that means that as from 29th June 2010 UK driving licenses are to be accepted for a direct switch meaning that there is no need for any tests so long as you have two years driving experience. You just have to pay a fee to transfer it over but they retain your UK license and sent it back to DVLA.
I couldn't find anything on the web so I checked with ICBC in Victoria and they said that this was correct.
Yelkcub
.
#9
Re: UK Driving license in BC
Like yourself I was skeptical so I called ICBC VIctoria and the lady confirmed that it was indeed true and explained that it was as from 29th June. So one could argue that it is word of mouth as it is not in writing yet. I would suggest that if anyone is overly concerned then they should check with ICBC themselves and they should be told the same as we have been! If anyone does this, could they advise what they hear so that if anyone is told otherwise, we can all be aware.
Last edited by Yelkcub; Jun 12th 2010 at 5:41 pm.
#10
Re: UK Driving license in BC
Hi,
That's great news. My partner had such a mess with taking his BC driving test. He failed the first one and they lost his British license for a little while in the interim week before he passed a second test.
It was also costly for us to retake our licenses. We had to rent a car as we didn't think our clunker would appeal to the driving examiner. And the second test for Neil was a ferry ride out of town so it all turned into a big expense.
I don't like the sound of them returning your license to DVLA though.
Sarah
He's also hoping they'll transfer motorcycle licenses too.
That's great news. My partner had such a mess with taking his BC driving test. He failed the first one and they lost his British license for a little while in the interim week before he passed a second test.
It was also costly for us to retake our licenses. We had to rent a car as we didn't think our clunker would appeal to the driving examiner. And the second test for Neil was a ferry ride out of town so it all turned into a big expense.
I don't like the sound of them returning your license to DVLA though.
Sarah
He's also hoping they'll transfer motorcycle licenses too.
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Dunoon, Argyll, Scotland & Vancouver Island
Posts: 232
Re: UK Driving license in BC
Oh great news, I hope its true, I wonder if that also covers HGV & PSV, by the time you do car,truck & Bike its a load of time ,hassle and money that if this is true we can all save.
#12
Re: UK Driving license in BC
No we don't but one of the lads when into ICBC to do his theory test and he was told that as he had a UK driving license he would be able to exchange it after the agreement came into place.
Like yourself I was skeptical so I called ICBC VIctoria and the lady confirmed that it was indeed true and explained that it was as from 29th June. So one could argue that it is word of mouth as it is not in writing yet. I would suggest that if anyone is overly concerned then they should check with ICBC themselves and they should be told the same as we have been! If anyone does this, could they advise what they hear so that if anyone is told otherwise, we can all be aware.
Like yourself I was skeptical so I called ICBC VIctoria and the lady confirmed that it was indeed true and explained that it was as from 29th June. So one could argue that it is word of mouth as it is not in writing yet. I would suggest that if anyone is overly concerned then they should check with ICBC themselves and they should be told the same as we have been! If anyone does this, could they advise what they hear so that if anyone is told otherwise, we can all be aware.
Thanks for sharing
.
#13
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 715
Re: UK Driving license in BC
For whats it worth, i called ICBC today to ask and the person on the phone said that she has not heard anything yet and if it is true to wait for news to be published on the ICBC website.
I may pop over to the test centre and try and find out something from them on monday..... Will update once i find out.
MR79
I may pop over to the test centre and try and find out something from them on monday..... Will update once i find out.
MR79
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada.
Posts: 445
Re: UK Driving license in BC
For whats it worth, i called ICBC today to ask and the person on the phone said that she has not heard anything yet and if it is true to wait for news to be published on the ICBC website.
I may pop over to the test centre and try and find out something from them on monday..... Will update once i find out.
MR79
I may pop over to the test centre and try and find out something from them on monday..... Will update once i find out.
MR79
My Neighbour works as a manager at the ICBC test center in Abbotsford' BC and she hasnt heard anything about this
k
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Abbotsford, BC
Posts: 450
Re: UK Driving license in BC
Hi,
That's great news. My partner had such a mess with taking his BC driving test. He failed the first one and they lost his British license for a little while in the interim week before he passed a second test.
It was also costly for us to retake our licenses. We had to rent a car as we didn't think our clunker would appeal to the driving examiner. And the second test for Neil was a ferry ride out of town so it all turned into a big expense.
I don't like the sound of them returning your license to DVLA though.
Sarah
He's also hoping they'll transfer motorcycle licenses too.
That's great news. My partner had such a mess with taking his BC driving test. He failed the first one and they lost his British license for a little while in the interim week before he passed a second test.
It was also costly for us to retake our licenses. We had to rent a car as we didn't think our clunker would appeal to the driving examiner. And the second test for Neil was a ferry ride out of town so it all turned into a big expense.
I don't like the sound of them returning your license to DVLA though.
Sarah
He's also hoping they'll transfer motorcycle licenses too.