Can I get a BC car license with a USA license?

[ZahidAli786]

Hi,

I am a USA citizen, currently visiting my Canadian permanent resident spouse in Canada. I am planning to buy a new car in Canada under my name, can I buy a car and ICBC insurance considering I am a US citizen and do not have any status in Canada? Also, Can I get a BC car license with a USA driver's license?

 

[RefugeeHelp1]

Hi,

I am a USA citizen, currently visiting my Canadian permanent resident spouse in Canada. I am planning to buy a new car in Canada under my name, can I buy a car and ICBC insurance considering I am a US citizen and do not have any status in Canada? Also, Can I get a BC car license with a USA driver's license?

As a US citizen visiting Canada, you should be able to buy a car and obtain insurance for it in Canada. However, you will likely need to obtain a temporary Canadian driver's license in order to do so. You can generally obtain a temporary Canadian driver's license by presenting your valid US driver's license at a Canadian driver's licensing office and paying the appropriate fee. It is generally not possible to obtain a permanent Canadian driver's license without being a resident of Canada.

In British Columbia, you can obtain a temporary driver's license by visiting an ICBC driver licensing office and presenting your valid US driver's license, as well as any other required documents such as proof of identity and proof of your temporary address in BC. You will need to pass a vision test and may be required to take a knowledge test or a road test, depending on the type of license you are seeking and your driving experience.

It's important to note that the rules and requirements for obtaining a driver's license and purchasing a vehicle may vary depending on the province or territory in which you are visiting. You may want to contact the relevant government agency or the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) for more information on the specific requirements in your location.

 

[Ponga]

As a US citizen visiting Canada, you should be able to buy a car and obtain insurance for it in Canada. However, you will likely need to obtain a temporary Canadian driver's license in order to do so. You can generally obtain a temporary Canadian driver's license by presenting your valid US driver's license at a Canadian driver's licensing office and paying the appropriate fee. It is generally not possible to obtain a permanent Canadian driver's license without being a resident of Canada.

In British Columbia, you can obtain a temporary driver's license by visiting an ICBC driver licensing office and presenting your valid US driver's license, as well as any other required documents such as proof of identity and proof of your temporary address in BC. You will need to pass a vision test and may be required to take a knowledge test or a road test, depending on the type of license you are seeking and your driving experience.

It's important to note that the rules and requirements for obtaining a driver's license and purchasing a vehicle may vary depending on the province or territory in which you are visiting. You may want to contact the relevant government agency or the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) for more information on the specific requirements in your location.

Unfortunately that is not correct. Here's a post asking the same question a few years ago; I doubt that ICBC has changed their policy:

To: Feedback <Feedback@icbc.com>
Subject: Can I get BC Driver Licence on Visitor Visa


Your question

Subject: Can I get BC Driver Licence on Visitor Visa

Hi
Can I get BC Drivers licence on visitor visa. My Spouse is Canadian citizen and I am
currently residing in BC on Visitor Visa. I don't have licence from back home. Can I apply
for BC Drivers Licence ?


Feedback <Feedback@icbc.com>
2:35 PM (1 hour ago)

to me

Dear

Thank you for your email inquiry.

You would have to be a resident of British Columbia to qualify for a B.C. drivers licence. We would also require that you have a valid visitor or work permit for more than 6 months.

If you have further questions about driver licensing, please call ICBC Customer Contact at 250-978-8300 in Victoria or 1-800-950-1498 elsewhere in North America. A representative is available to assist you between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time Monday through Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Sincerely,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ann
Feedback
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