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British Columbia · Driving and vehicles

Driver's licence renewal in British Columbia

Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked

Short answer

ICBC issues driver's licences in British Columbia. New drivers go through graduated licensing: a knowledge test for the L at 16 or older, a Class 7 road test for the N, then a Class 5 road test for the full licence. To renew, bring two pieces of accepted ID to an ICBC driver licensing office up to 180 days before your licence expires.

Who handles it

ICBC

Handles it in British Columbia.

Licences are renewed and replaced at ICBC driver licensing offices.

Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.

Who can apply

  • You can get a learner's (L) licence from your 16th birthday. You need to pass the knowledge test by getting at least 40 of 50 questions right.

    Source: icbc.comchecked #

  • If you move to B.C. from elsewhere in Canada, you have 90 days to switch to a B.C. licence. Book an appointment and bring ID, your current licence, the fee and proof of driving experience.

    Source: icbc.comchecked #

Steps

  1. For the L, drivers under 19 need a parent or guardian to sign consent. You take the knowledge test online or at a driver licensing office and pass a vision screening.

    Source: icbc.comchecked #

  2. After at least a year of supervised practice, you can take the Class 7 road test to get your novice (N) licence.

    Source: icbc.comchecked #

  3. After 24 months on your N with no prohibitions, or possibly 18 months if you took an ICBC-approved course, you can take the Class 5 road test for a full licence.

    Source: icbc.comchecked #

  4. To renew, go to any ICBC driver licensing office with two pieces of accepted ID. You can renew up to six months before the licence expires.

    Source: icbc.comchecked #

What you need

  • Every visit to a driver licensing office needs two original pieces of ID, one primary and one secondary. If your name has changed, bring proof of the change.

    Source: icbc.comchecked #

Cost

  • Driver licensing offices take cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit and personal cheques.

    Source: icbc.comchecked #

How long it takes

  • For a safe driver, going from L to full licence takes about three years.

    Source: icbc.comchecked #

  • The plastic card is mailed. Most cards take up to 60 days to arrive, and you can track yours in My ICBC.

    Source: icbc.comchecked #

Questions people ask

How old do you have to be to get a learner's licence in B.C.?

You can get your L on or after your 16th birthday. You need to pass a 50-question knowledge test with at least 40 correct answers.

Source: icbc.comchecked #

How early can I renew my B.C. driver's licence?

Up to six months (180 days) before it expires. Bring two pieces of accepted ID to any ICBC driver licensing office.

Source: icbc.comchecked #

How long does it take to get my B.C. licence card in the mail?

Most cards arrive within 60 days. You can sign in to My ICBC to see whether your card has been mailed.

Source: icbc.comchecked #

How long can I drive in B.C. on a licence from another province?

You have 90 days after moving to B.C. to switch, and you can keep driving on your valid licence until then. You must hand in your old licence when you get the B.C. one.

Source: icbc.comchecked #

Do I need two years of driving experience to get a full B.C. licence when I move here?

If you have less than two years with a full non-learner licence, or cannot prove it, you go through graduated licensing instead, with credit for the time you have driven.

Source: icbc.comchecked #

In every province and territory

The same service across Canada: who handles it and the official link. British Columbia is marked.

Province or territoryWho handles itOfficial linkGood to know
British ColumbiaThis pageICBCRenew your licencechecked Licences are renewed and replaced at ICBC driver licensing offices.
AlbertaAlberta registry agents (Government of Alberta)Renew or replace a licencechecked Renew or replace at any registry agent office; online renewal was paused in October 2026.
SaskatchewanSGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance)Renew, replace or change a licencechecked Renew at a motor licence issuer; a new photo is needed every 5 years.
ManitobaManitoba Public Insurance (MPI)Get a driver's licencechecked Licences are issued, renewed and replaced at Autopac agents and MPI Service Centres, not at a provincial government office.
OntarioServiceOntario (Ministry of Transportation)Renew a driver's licencechecked A new photo, a recent address change or a required test means renewing in person at ServiceOntario.
QuebecSociété de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ)Renew and pay your licencechecked
New BrunswickService New BrunswickRenew a driver's licence onlinechecked First licences, upgrades and name changes are done in person at a Service New Brunswick centre.
Nova ScotiaRegistry of Motor Vehicles, Access Nova Scotia (Service Nova Scotia)Renew online (class 5, 6, 8)checked Only class 5, 6 and 8 licences renew online; new, replacement and other classes are done at an Access Nova Scotia RMV office.
Prince Edward IslandAccess PEI (Highway Safety Division, Government of PEI)None on record
Newfoundland and LabradorMotor Registration Division (Government Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)Renew a driver's licencechecked Renew online through MyGovNL; in-person service at a Motor Registration office is by appointment.
YukonMotor Vehicles (Government of Yukon)None on recordRenewals are done in person at a Motor Vehicles office.
Northwest TerritoriesDriver and Vehicle Services (Department of Infrastructure, Government of the Northwest Territories)Renew or replace a licencechecked
NunavutMotor Vehicles Division (Government of Nunavut)Apply, renew or replacechecked Submit the application online or in person at any Motor Vehicles office.

Where to go in person

Places in the biggest cities, from open data. Check the official link for hours and what each office offers before you go.

Cite this page

Canada Service Map, "Driver's licence renewal in British Columbia", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/drivers-licence/british-columbia