Can you drive in British Columbia with a Canadian license?

Yes. Tourists can drive in B.C. with a valid Canadian licence for up to 6 months.

ICBC allows tourists to drive on a valid licence from their home jurisdiction for up to 6 months. Two useful exceptions: full-time students enrolled at a designated B.C. educational institution can keep driving on their home licence for the length of their studies, and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program workers can drive for up to 12 months. If you move to B.C. to live, the 90-day new resident rule applies instead.

Moving from outside Canada (ICBC)

No. B.C. does not require an IDP for tourists with a valid licence, though carrying one never hurts.

B.C. does not require an IDP for visitors driving on a valid Canadian licence. Rental companies occasionally ask for one, so check before booking.

Moving from outside Canada (ICBC)

You can drive on your existing licence for 90 days after moving to B.C. After that, you need a B.C. licence.

The 90-day window starts when you move to B.C. Exceptions: full-time students at designated institutions, people ordinarily resident outside B.C., and SAWP workers (12 months). When you apply, you must surrender every driver's licence you hold: B.C. law allows you to hold only one licence. Most Government of Canada immigration documents work as primary ID for the application.

Moving from outside Canada (ICBC)

Yes. Licences from other Canadian provinces and territories exchange directly for a B.C. licence, with no knowledge or road test.

Bring your Canadian licence to any ICBC driver licensing office within 90 days of moving. You surrender the old licence and take a basic vision screening. With 2+ years of non-learner driving experience you get a full-privilege class 5; with less, graduated licensing restrictions carry over. ICBC also credits up to 15 years of driving experience toward your insurance discount if you bring an acceptable driving record showing your original licensing date, so order that record before you move.

Moving from outside Canada (ICBC)

No tests beyond a basic vision screening for interprovincial moves.

Knowledge and road tests are waived when you exchange a valid licence from another Canadian province or territory. The only screening is vision, done on the spot at the ICBC office.

Moving from outside Canada (ICBC)

No. Canadian licences are issued in English, so no translation is needed.

ICBC's translation requirements depend on the issuing country, and ICBC can require a translation at its discretion when a licence uses non-English characters, lacks vehicle-class imagery, or is a paper document. Translations must come from an ICBC-approved translator; the application is put on hold until they are complete. Over-the-phone interpretation is available at all driver licensing offices for the visit itself.

Moving from outside Canada (ICBC)

Bring all your licences, immigration ID, proof of driving experience, and translations if needed. Apply at an ICBC driver licensing office.

The experience document matters more than anything else in the package: it decides whether you skip graduated licensing. Order it from the issuing authority before you leave your country if you can. If ICBC needs to verify documents, the application is held until verification completes.

Moving from outside Canada (ICBC)