Is a Contract Worker a Non-resident per Motor Vehicle Act of Canada?

[Lancer]

I think my subject is important to be determined especially if the contract worker needs to drive around in Canada.  This happened to me.  I have an International Permit to Drive from my Country which permits me to drive in Canada for one year but ICBC said that it is only valid for 90 days.  I have read their Motor Vehicle Act particularly Section 34 - Exemption of Non-resident and new resident drivers, provides that, in subsection 1.1a, a person who has a validly issued and subsisting driver's or operator's licence or permit issued according to the laws where he or she is ordinarily resident, (is allowed to drive) for 6 months from the date he or she last entered BC.  Subsections 1.1b & 1.1c talk about new residents and students, respectively.  Now,  which is which? Valid for 90 days only or 6 months?  Thanks.

[PMM]

Hi

I think my subject is important to be determined especially if the contract worker needs to drive around in Canada.  This happened to me.  I have an International Permit to Drive from my Country which permits me to drive in Canada for one year but ICBC said that it is only valid for 90 days.  I have read their Motor Vehicle Act particularly Section 34 - Exemption of Non-resident and new resident drivers, provides that, in subsection 1.1a, a person who has a validly issued and subsisting driver's or operator's licence or permit issued according to the laws where he or she is ordinarily resident, (is allowed to drive) for 6 months from the date he or she last entered BC.  Subsections 1.1b & 1.1c talk about new residents and students, respectively.  Now,  which is which? Valid for 90 days only or 6 months?  Thanks.

1.  You IDP is really not a license, it is a translation of your home license, ie you can't drive with IDP without having your home country license.
2.  ICBC considers a person with a work permit as a residence so 90 days.  The student bit you quote is for students from other provinces in Canada.

PMM

[Lancer]

Yes, that's ICBC's interpretations.  Is the CIC also has the same view?

[PMM]

Hi

Yes, that's ICBC's interpretations.  Is the CIC also has the same view?

It doesn't matter how CIC interprets it, Driver's license is a Provincial responsibility.

PMM

[steaky]

What to do in this situation if the OP:

1.   Has not yet lived in BC for 90 days;
2.   Has not yet applied for BC License;
3.   Has a validly issued and subsisting driver's or operator's license or permit issued according to the laws where he or she is ordinarily resident; BUT
4.   Was given a traffic violation ticket for using invalid driver license and the police officer did not return the out-of-province driver license.