Driving overseas with an Interim licence.

[Taddy]

I landed over 5 weeks ago and am waiting for my PR card. I have an interim BC driver's licence which is fine for here but I'll be returning to the UK for vacation soon.
If I don't receive my PR card (and therefore BC driver's licence) before then does anyone know if I will be able to rent a vehicle with just the interim licence?

TIA.

 

[screech339]

I landed over 5 weeks ago and am waiting for my PR card. I have an interim BC driver's licence which is fine for here but I'll be returning to the UK for vacation soon.
If I don't receive my PR card (and therefore BC driver's licence) before then does anyone know if I will be able to rent a vehicle with just the interim licence?

TIA.

I think you may require an international driver licence to be able to rent a car.

 

[Taddy]

OK thanks. I'll see if I can get one of those with an interim licence (the BCAA website says you need a Canadian licence).

 

[Taddy]

I've just spoken to BCAA. You need a proper BC licence to get an IDP...

 

[Ponga]

It makes absolutely no sense that ICBC will accept (as primary ID) a work permit (or in the case of an Inland applicant, and OWP) to get a full (photo) licence, but a CoPR means nothing to them?!

 

[Taddy]

I know - once you've landed it's pretty much a done deal, it's not as if more info would be required or more decisions need to be made.

 

[taffy7]

Every province seems to be different . Here in Ontario my husband had to surrender his British licence to obtain a Canadian licence, with just his corp papers . He was able to do this the day after landing.

The answer is no you won't be able to rent a car in the U.K without a full licence. Did they take your British licence off you . I still have both but times have changed.

 

[Taddy]

Yes they did, but then I haven't been resident in the UK for years anyway so I wouldn't have used it there.

 

[taffy7]

so is an interim just a piece of paper or won't they send you your photo licence with out PR card. When are you going home?

 

[taffy7]

The web site says 78 days, but there is a form that you can use if you are travelling before that time .. urgent PR request ..

 

[Taddy]

They won't send the proper BC driving licence until they see my PR card. The interim is a temporary yellow paper licence that allows me to drive legally until I get my proper BC licence. I go back beginning of March.

 

[Taddy]

I might try calling them to see where it's at (if I can actually get to speak to someone) other wise I might try the urgent request.

 

[taffy7]

I might try calling them to see where it's at (if I can actually get to speak to someone) other wise I might try the urgent request.

Agree that's what i would be doing. do you know if you still have to do this new visa with your British passport even though you have landed.

 

[Taddy]

Oh! that's a point, I may have to. when I landed the immigration officer said until I get my PR card then I travel as a normal UK passport holder.

thanks for bringing that up.