Getting a full drivers license in BC
Hi guys!
I landed in Vancouver June 27th and already have an apartment, a job, PR card and full drivers license. Things are going great for me and I wish they will go perfectly for you as well.
Just wanted to share my experience with ICBC (getting a class 5 drivers license) because it is not really straightforward if your country doesn't have a reciprocal agreement with BC (check here http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/moving-bc/Pages/Moving-from-another-country.aspx)
HOW TO GET A FULL DRIVERS LICENSE AS AN IMMIGRANT
Step 1: Before leaving your home country, get a drivers abstract or letter of experience from whoever issued your current license. You need to have proof of at least 2 years of experience (http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/moving-bc/Pages/Proving-your-driving-experience.aspx)
Step 2: After you land in BC, hire an ICBC approved translator (http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/moving-bc/Documents/Approved-translators.pdf) as soon as possible to translate your driving record. He/she won't translate the document entirely, only fill out a form required by ICBC (this is why you cannot get just any translator). You will need to bring the original form provided by the translator to ICBC
Step 3: Visit an ICBC driver licensing office (http://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/locations/Pages/Default.aspx) to obtain a copy of Learn to Drive Smart or read it online at http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/driving-guides/Pages/Learn-to-Drive-Smart.aspx
Step 4: When you have studied the guide, go again to the ICBC driver licensing office with 2 ids (passport and COPR/PR card), your driving record and translation form and ask to take a Knowledge test. You can ask to keep your countries driving license until expiry (90 days from landing date) so you can practice driving without a supervisor (or can exchange license for a learners license that requires a BC licensed supervisor in the car with you).
Step 5: After passing the Knowledge test, book your Road Test. Their agenda is pretty full, so bear in mind you can get an appointment 3 months into the future, so plan ahead
Step 6: Practice, practice, practice. Driving in BC is very different from driving in other countries. I have seen many of my friends take the road test 3-5 times because they didn't change their driving style to ICBC approved driving, so my recommendation is:
Step 6B: Hire a driving instructor! Even if you have 20 years experience, you most probably have a couple of bad habits to kick, plus BC specific skills to learn. Taking lessons is the fastest way to guarantee you're a safe driver and that you will pass your Road test. Look for an ICBC approved instructor or just Google my instructor Alex from SenSen Driving School, he was amazing and helped me pass the test on the first try.
Step 7: If you're ready to take the test but the date is to far into the future, look for cancellations. You can try checking over at https://onlinebusiness.icbc.com/deas/WebDeasServlet/DriverWelcomeAction to see if you can get a better date. In my experience, if you log in every 20 minutes from 9.30 to 11am, Tuesday and Wednesday, you will find a better date for your road test.
Step 8: It's your test date! If you can, do some warmup with a friend or hire your driving instructor for warmup driving and some last minute pointers (instructors also rent you the school car to take the exam)
Step 9: Arrive early, follow the rules, have a friendly chat with the examiner and take the road test. You will be fine.
Hope this helps 8)
.
