Getting a B.C License before I get PR or work permit

[avigtr]

Hello All,

I hope that I am writing my question in the right place and if not forgive me please 
I am in the PR process under the family class sponsorship(my wife is Canadian).
I got confirmation that I am in the process and waiting to be approve for the initial stage which is in 6 months.(and only then I'll get my work permit).
I am in Vancouver for eight months and am no longer a visitor(In the PR process).
I have a foreign driver  license for 16 years(Israel) that I can't use anymore because it is valid for six months upon arrival.
My problem is that I don't have anything from immigration but the email and the online account that can verify my status (the first one should be when ill get the work permit.)
When I tried to start the process of getting a B.C license I have been told that I need some kind of documentation  from the government.
I am feeling kind of in a grey area that no one really knows how to deal with, meaning I am not a resident because I am in the process but I am not a visitor too and thereby have no proper ID.
Can someone please give me an advice on how to approach this license procedure?
Thank you Very much!!

[steaky]

Here is a quote from ICBC website: "Did you use a student, work, visitor, temporary-resident or refugee permit on your last visit to B.C.? If so, you must bring that permit with you to be served at a licensing office."

http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/id#

[avigtr]

Thank your answer.
As an israeli citizen when I get into canada I only get stamped in the passport which is valid for six months. I did not get any paper nur the requested imm1442.
Any ideas?

[steaky]

Go to any licensing office and see how it goes.  If your passport does not work, contact CIC for more options.

[avigtr]

CIC told me that they have no way of helping me which i find strange.
I am in a grey area right now and no one in CIC can give me a straight answer.
The only thing i read about is when i applied for a work permit with my PR application i should have marked the extension as well,but when i asked cic before i sent everything they told me it isn't the way to send this application.
I am really at a lost...

[steaky]

I do not find CIC response strange at all.

Perhaps you can wait for your landing paper comes out and present it to ICBC to get the driver licence.  Otherwise, if you can't wait, you might as well apply for a work permit and show it to ICBC to get the driver licence.

[avigtr]

That is exactly the issue,
I did apply for a work permit and sent it together with the PR application as recommended.
Only problem is that I will get the work permit after the first stage approval which is pretty long.
There is nothing to show ICBC after  you send the application. I did show them my CIU number and my application number but it didn't help.
Do someone think I can use my bank statement and my wedding certificate as a proof of residency?

[islandgirl25]

i don't know if it is different in Ontario..but all i had to show was my old driver's license (bahamas) and Bahamian passport..and i was granted a license..any government ID should work..good luck

ETA: i JUST started the immigration process

[angelbrat]

You cannot get a drivers licence unless you hold either a valid work or student visa. Welcome to the twilight zone, until you get AIP and a work visa you are not able to do anything.

I have been there, it sucks. Try using the time to find a job, LMO and get a work visa. That is what I did and it sure helped to get through the time until I got my PR.

Good Luck.

[avigtr]

Thanks angelbrat ,
I do feel in the twilight zone.
I applied for a work visa along side with my PR application and as i understand it can take 11 months for the first stage approval which means 11 months for a work permit.
The only thing that bothers me is that I have  read that in this application I could have marked the extand staying(along side with  initial work permit) and i would have already got a card saying i am here etc..and can take the test.
Nobody in CIC told me to do it becasue its not a must.
Guess Ill just wait,The skytrain is not that bad

[steaky]

Guess Ill just wait,The skytrain is not that bad

Some skytrain routes are really bad:

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Transit+police+investigating+projectiles+fired+crowded+carriage+Metrotown/5986507/story.html

I would feel safer when riding the skytrain from Waterfront to Langara-49th on Canada Line.

[avigtr]

Good news,
They made an exeption and let me take the Theory test 
Next step...road test
Is it recomended to take an hour or two with a driving teacher ? I have been driving in BC before so its not new to me.
Anyone with experience?
Thank you all for helping

[avigtr]

hamedsilent,
I don't have a permission to answer you via a message so I will answer you here.
You just have to try in several ICBC offices and explain your issue and after the manager validates your status he may or may not approve to go ahead and take the test. It all relays the managers "mercy"

[steaky]

Good news,
They made an exeption and let me take the Theory test 
Next step...road test
Is it recomended to take an hour or two with a driving teacher ? I have been driving in BC before so its not new to me.
Anyone with experience?
Thank you all for helping

Congrats! A driving tutor can teach you to be prepared about the road test routes and other tips. 

[hamedsilent]

Well, My partner did have her class 5 driver license and they took it away from her since it was expired, Now she has her temporeray driver license and will expire in March which is the same date as her permit expiry. Last time they rejected us in burrard st branch vancouver and asked us to wait for a year to get the permanent one. Would you mind letting me know about that particular branch where they accept your case? Was that in Vancouver?