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Driving and vehicles in British Columbia: switching your licence and what is required

The published deadline to switch an out-of-province driver's licence in British Columbia, who handles it, the usual steps and documents.

If you are moving to British Columbia

Driver's licences in British Columbia are handled by ICBC.

Published deadline to switch your licence : 90 days to switch a valid licence (as published when we checked, 2026-11-14)

Bring accepted identification, your current licence, fees and proof of driving experience to an ICBC driver licensing office; only one licence is allowed, so you surrender the old one. Insurance and the licence are separate: ICBC also credits driving experience from elsewhere.

Official page: new residents and your driver’s licence ↗

The usual steps

  1. Check the deadline above: after it, you may no longer drive legally on your old licence, and insurance can be affected.
  2. Gather your identity documents and proof of address in the province: the official page lists exactly which documents are accepted (two documents from the same issuer are often refused).
  3. Licences from other Canadian provinces are usually swapped for the same class without a road test; licences from other countries may need tests depending on an exchange agreement.
  4. Surrender your old licence: only one valid licence is allowed. Keep the temporary document you receive until the card arrives by mail.
  5. Register your vehicle and get insurance in the province: the deadline differs from the licence deadline.
  6. Change the address on your health card, bank, employer and the CRA.

More: our moving checklist, the moving page for British Columbia (health card and taxes) and government online accounts.

Deadlines, fees, accepted countries and documents change and are set by each province: the official page is the authority. General information. Quebec has its own rules (SAAQ): see AtlasQuébec.

Guides for this province