Obtaining BC Driver Licence before PR? Even possible??

[Ponga]

So, to add insult to injury...My US DL will be expiring long before I receive my PR.

Does anyone know if my OWP (which is still many months away) would be of any value (or interest to ICBC), in the hopes of getting some sort of
conditional DL? I ask this, because I couldn't get an answer from ICBC. I was first told that I would need to have COPR, but when asked about the OWP,
I was put on hold and forgotten about.

I know that BC health care will be available to me prior to PR (effective 3 months from the date my application was accepted by CIC, since I paid all of my fees upfront), so I'm hoping that there's something available to me for my `desire' to drive!

Thanks,

 

[hockeyfan]

Re: Obtaining BC Driver License before PR? Even possible??

So, to add insult to injury...My US DL will be expiring long before I receive my PR.

Does anyone know if my OWP (which is still many months away) would be of any value (or interest to ICBC), in the hopes of getting some sort of
conditional DL? I ask this, because I couldn't get an answer from ICBC. I was first told that I would need to have COPR, but when asked about the OWP,
I was put on hold and forgotten about.

I know that BC health care will be available to me prior to PR (effective 3 months from the date my application was accepted by CIC, since I paid all of my fees upfront), so I'm hoping that there's something available to me for my `desire' to drive!

Thanks,

Ponga Ponga,

I am from the US and I simply transferred my US license for a BC license, it shouldn't be a problem. I just gave 2 valid pieces of ID and they took my US license and took my picture and sent me a new BC license in the mail.

Best of luck,

 

[Happywife08]

Re: Obtaining BC Driver License before PR? Even possible??

I am pretty sure you can. I am in Ontario and I got mine no problem, because immigration and driver licences are completely separate.

 

[Ponga]

Re: Obtaining BC Driver License before PR? Even possible??

WTF?

Thanks Hockeyfan, but I wonder why I was told I needed COPR before I could do anything?

Happywife08
It appears to be much easier to do this in Ontario, which helps me not, but I thank you for your reply.

 

[screech339]

Re: Obtaining BC Driver License before PR? Even possible??

So, to add insult to injury...My US DL will be expiring long before I receive my PR.

Does anyone know if my OWP (which is still many months away) would be of any value (or interest to ICBC), in the hopes of getting some sort of
conditional DL? I ask this, because I couldn't get an answer from ICBC. I was first told that I would need to have COPR, but when asked about the OWP,
I was put on hold and forgotten about.

I know that BC health care will be available to me prior to PR (effective 3 months from the date my application was accepted by CIC, since I paid all of my fees upfront), so I'm hoping that there's something available to me for my `desire' to drive!

Thanks,

I am not sure about BC, but I am sure they follow similar rules as Ontario regarding driver license exchanging program. My wife was able to turn in her expired NJ Driver license for Ontario license. She only had to provide her NJ license, her drivers abstract and her NJ paper showing when license was first issued. She took and eye test and that was it. Full G license.

They didn't even bother looking at her immigration papers. Nothing. We were at AIP stage. Had we known that we didn't have to wait for AIP, we would have applied as soon as we entered Canada.

 

[hockeyfan]

Re: Obtaining BC Driver License before PR? Even possible??

WTF?

Thanks Hockeyfan, but I wonder why I was told I needed COPR before I could do anything?

Happywife08
It appears to be much easier to do this in Ontario, which helps me not, but I thank you for your reply.

Mine was even 6 months expired and they still allowed me to transfer it over to a full BC driving license.

 

[screech339]

Re: Obtaining BC Driver License before PR? Even possible??

Mine was even 6 months expired and they still allowed me to transfer it over to a full BC driving license.

As for Ontario, as long as you shown you have 3 years of driving experience despite licence expired perhaps 1 year or 6 months max, I can't remember, it is still valid for exchange.

 

[Ponga]

Re: Obtaining BC Driver License before PR? Even possible??

Geez...I guess the ICBC call centre must be the first cousin (twice removed) from the CIC call centre. LOL!

I guess I'll stop in and see what they tell me in person. :-\

 

[screech339]

Re: Obtaining BC Driver License before PR? Even possible??

Geez...I guess the ICBC call centre must be the first cousin (twice removed) from the CIC call centre. LOL!

I guess I'll stop in and see what they tell me in person. :-\

I would suggest that you go to BC driver licence website and look for driver's licence exchange requirement before to go to office. Hate to see you go there only to be told you don't have all the required docs with you.

 

[Ponga]

Re: Obtaining BC Driver License before PR? Even possible??

I would suggest that you go to BC driver licence website and look for driver's licence exchange requirement before to go to office. Hate to see you go there only to be told you don't have all the required docs with you.

That was the very first thing I did, before I called to get more information.

The website mentions how to get a licence after you move to BC, but doesn't state anywhere that you have to be a PR...which is what the phone agent told me...when she said I needed to show my COPR. She did indicate that she could see my driving abstract on her screen and saw that there are no violations/issues, but said without COPR I couldn't do anything.

 

[Ponga]

Well, I called ICBC again and THIS TIME I was told that I can't get a BC DL until I have my OWP (which I applied for with my Inland application). Being an American, I did not have a TRV, or any other type of immigration document(s) that they require as primary identification. Having never worked in Canada, I don't have an existing (or previous) WP either. Primary document must be something issued in Canada with a photo.

So...at least it's better than having to wait for COPR, I suppose. Having said that, I'll still be hoping for AIP and DM simultaneously!

 

[Ponga]

So, to add insult to injury...My US DL will be expiring long before I receive my PR.

Does anyone know if my OWP (which is still many months away) would be of any value (or interest to ICBC), in the hopes of getting some sort of
conditional DL? I ask this, because I couldn't get an answer from ICBC. I was first told that I would need to have COPR, but when asked about the OWP,
I was put on hold and forgotten about.

I know that BC health care will be available to me prior to PR (effective 3 months from the date my application was accepted by CIC, since I paid all of my fees upfront), so I'm hoping that there's something available to me for my `desire' to drive!

Thanks,

Ug...as it turns out, the ICBC website has this bit of information regarding acceptable forms of primary ID:

"Confirmation of permanent resident IMM5292 or IMM5688 are not accepted as primary ID."

That's it...I'm convinced that ICBC and CIC are blood relatives!

 

[jomz]

Ug...as it turns out, the ICBC website has this bit of information regarding acceptable forms of primary ID:

"Confirmation of permanent resident IMM5292 or IMM5688 are not accepted as primary ID."

That's it...I'm convinced that ICBC and CIC are blood relatives!

Hi Ponga, here's the link, it clearly states that you can exchange your licence once you provide your driving experience.

http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/moving-bc/other-country

http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/moving-bc/driving-experience

It says on the 2nd page that you need to bring your US drivers licence as ID. BUt to be on safe side you can also bring for ID your passport, and for address a utility bill maybe that your spouse can add you to, or even a credit card statement if your spouse gets a supplementary credit card for you from a canadian bank.

Best to go in, and give it a try.

 

[Ponga]

Hi Ponga, here's the link, it clearly states that you can exchange your licence once you provide your driving experience.

http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/moving-bc/other-country

http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/moving-bc/driving-experience

It says on the 2nd page that you need to bring your US drivers licence as ID. BUt to be on safe side you can also bring for ID your passport, and for address a utility bill maybe that your spouse can add you to, or even a credit card statement if your spouse gets a supplementary credit card for you from a canadian bank.

Best to go in, and give it a try.

I saw that previously, but I have now been told by two separate phone agents that without a primary form of ID that is issued in Canada, I'm stuck...hence my comment about ICBC and CIC being in the same `family'. LOL! It may clearly state that I can exchange my licence, but it does NOT clearly state what the REQUIREMENTS are.

It looks like those that have been able to exchange their foreign licence must have had some sort of immigration document (i.e. WP, TRV, etc.) as their required primary ID.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Ug...as it turns out, the ICBC website has this bit of information regarding acceptable forms of primary ID:

"Confirmation of permanent resident IMM5292 or IMM5688 are not accepted as primary ID."

To clarify, the COPR isn't accepted to get the actual photocard license but it is accepted to get a paper license, which allows you to drive just the same. You need to then bring in the PR card for ICBC to issue you the photocard licence.


I suggest going through the steps under the "confirm required ID" button http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/id. For someone with an American license, it says for Primary ID:

Your photo B.C. driver’s licence, BC Services card (with photo) or B.C. identification card

Canadian Birth Certificate: must be issued by a provincial or territorial government. (Sorry, no church, birth abroad or baptismal certificates are allowed.)

Your valid Canadian Passport (provided that it lists your full legal name).

Canadian Citizenship Card

Valid Permanent Resident Card (must not be expired)

Canadian Record of Landing/Canadian Immigration Identification Record (form IMM1000 only)

Your valid student permit, work permit, temporary resident permit

Visitor Record form (IMM1442)

Your valid Refugee Protection Claimant Document ( IMM1442). It must say either Referred or Eligible to be accepted.