Can I get a BC driver's licence without PR card (but have landed)?

[Taddy]

I did my landing today so have the COPR (IMM 5688) signed by immigration and stapled into my passport. I was told that PR cards are taking 6-8 weeks to be issued now. Can I take my passport with this paper into ICBC and swap my UK licence for a BC one please?

 

[Tvgt]

Not sure how similar rules are in BC as in Ontario but last year I swapped my British license with only my photo card license, counterpart and passport. I was only in Canada as a visitor at the time, they didn't even ask about my status. Took all of five minutes and got a temp license there and then and photo card in 4 weeks. I believe it also depends on how long you have held your license for too, I had mine since 2003.

 

[vancitychris]

Howdy I can answer this, been through it myself.

ICBC will give a temporary paper license when you show valid government ID along with COPR, however they will put an immigration hold on a card being issued until you have a PR card. the paper licenses only have validity for at max a few months at a time so you may be going back for another before the PR card arrives.

- I have been in BC since 2012 on Work permits and landed as a PR in October.

 

[Taddy]

Thanks. I decided to take my documents in this morning and give it a try. Despite what it says on the ICBC website, I had exactly the same result as you. IF I don't get my PR card before the interim licence expires I'm to go back with my documents and I'll get another interim.


Tvgt, I think it must be different. I forgot to take the paper counterpart, but they weren't bothered by that. Ive been driving since 1987 (yes, I'm that old lol) so no issues there, but no photocard licence without PR card being presented.

 

[Ibyt]

Hi guys, can you please help me out with making a decision on my UK license.

I am aware you can have a straight swap in Canada with a UK license but I am a wee bit worried as I plan to go back to the UK if I dont like it here in Canada after some months or years.

Would it be possible to get another license if I go back to the UK or would I have to test again (I hated the whole thing so Im not going through it again).

 

[Taddy]

I'm not sure - sorry!

My husband had to take a test when he moved to the UK from Canada, and had his Canadian licence taken off him. He got a straight swap when we moved back.

You can drive on your UK licence for 6 months after you arrive in Canada.

The DVLA website has some info but you have to answer some questions.

 

[PMM]

Hi

I'm not sure - sorry!

My husband had to take a test when he moved to the UK from Canada, and had his Canadian licence taken off him. He got a straight swap when we moved back.

You can drive on your UK licence for 6 months after you arrive in Canada.

The DVLA website has some info but you have to answer some questions.

1. Sorry not correct, each province is different. In BC a PR can only use their foreign license for 90 days.

 

[Taddy]

Oh yes, of course - sorry!
I arrived in Canada whilst my PR application was in process so had 6 months from the time I arrived. You are, of course, correct - 90 days when we you officially land as PR.

 

[Ibyt]

Thanks guys, I might just go through the process for a Canadian license, hopefully it isnt as hard as it was for me in the UK. Im moving to Winnipeg Manitoba.

 

[Taddy]

If you have a full UK licence you can exchange it in Manitoba without taking a test (you will lose your UK licence though). This must be done within 3 months though - it's not an option to stay on your UK licence.

 

[XpressEnterprise]

If you have a full UK licence you can exchange it in Manitoba without taking a test (you will lose your UK licence though). This must be done within 3 months though - it's not an option to stay on your UK licence.

I had my UK Full License exchanged with Quebec's Full License back in April 2015, without taking any test. However, I still have my UK Full drivers license and it's still valid. I've even used it back in UK a month back. You don't loose it.

If you want to verify, you can verify it at https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

 

[Taddy]

Didn't they take your card from you? ICBC took mine (and my husband's) although I still have the paper part.

 

[Taddy]

Given that i'm no longer UK resident I wouldn't attempt it anyway as I'm unlikely to be covered by insurance.

 

[Ibyt]

I had my UK Full License exchanged with Quebec's Full License back in April 2015, without taking any test. However, I still have my UK Full drivers license and it's still valid. I've even used it back in UK a month back. You don't loose it.

If you want to verify, you can verify it at https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

Thanks for this, how did you do it? Please explain a little bit more. I checked the link but didn't understand what I needed to do.

I don't want to lose my license as all my family ( parents and siblings) are still in the UK so I will still go there very often even if I decide not to go back to reside so retaining my license so that I can drive would be a very good option for me.

 

[Quink]

I was really annoyed at them when I found out that they had to actually take my Australian licence away from me to give me a BC licence. Seems really stupid. So what I did was call up VicRoads in Australia and tell them I'd lost my licence and got them to issue a replacement. Then I gave ICBC the old copy of it.