To renew your license:

• Book an appointment to renew your license at an ICBC driver licensing office up to six months (180 days) before your license expires. Renewing early won’t shorten its validity.
• Bring two pieces of accepted ID
• Pay the fee for your new license
• Find out if your card is in the mail while you wait

To replace your license:

• Book an appointment to replace your license at an ICBC driver licensing office
• Bring accepted ID
• Pay the fee for either a renewal or replacement

Waiting for your license or ID card to be mailed? Most cards take up to 60 days to arrive. Use ICBC online card status checker to find out if your card is on its way, or still being processed.

You will need:

• Your card number. You can find this on your Interim Driver’s Licence, your application for a BC ID card, or your BC Services Card Statement of Declaration.
• Your ICBC keyword. Your keyword is one you have set with our staff during your visit to one of our offices.

Welcome to B.C.! After moving here, you have 90 days to switch your valid license to a B.C. driver’s license.

The 90-day rule does not apply and you may continue to drive on your current license if you:

• are visiting as a tourist for up to six months
• have a valid student exemption due to full-time enrollment at a designated educational institution in B.C.
• are a temporary foreign worker with a federal work permit designating that you are in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). Workers in the SAWP may drive for up to 12 months on a valid license from their home jurisdiction. If you’re staying longer than 12 months under SAWP and want to continue driving then you will need to get a B.C. driver’s license.

Welcome to B.C.! After moving here, you have 90 days to switch over your license. You can drive with an existing, valid license in the meantime.

How to apply for a B.C. license

Book an appointment to apply for a B.C. driver’s license at an ICBC driver licensing office. You’ll need to bring:

• required ID
• your current driver’s license
• fee for your license
• Proof of driving experience

Changes for new B.C. residents

New B.C. residents will only be required to provide their driver’s license history — proof of insurance is no longer required. However, their premiums will be adjusted for the first three years of driving in B.C. due to the increased risks associated with driving in a new area.

Each year you remain crash-free, your discount increases.

ICBC will credit you with up to 15 years of driving experience (up from eight years) upon receipt of a driver’s abstract showing the original date that you received your license.

When obtaining your B.C. license, you can provide your original driver’s abstract in person at a driver licensing office.

No, unfortunately, you can’t get a refund for any years remaining on your B.C. driver’s licence. Driver licensing fees contribute to the cost of the card and to road safety programs. It helps keep our road safe for everyone.

A Canadian International Driving Permit is a translation of your current valid license and when accompanied by that license legally allows you to drive for up to one year in other countries. These permits are not valid in all countries, so check with
BCAA before you travel.

To get your permit you must:

• Be over 18 years old
• Have a Canadian home address
• Have a valid driver’s license

The most common reasons why a driver might be asked to complete a re-exam are:

• A doctor reports a medical condition that may affect their fitness or ability to drive safely
• Results of a previous on-road assessment suggest a follow-up is necessary
• A collision report, police report or other report indicates they may be unable or unsure how to handle a common driving situation