Getting your drivers license in BC
When you arrive in Victoria, one of the first things you should do is exchange your driver’s license and car plates with at ICBC. In order to exchange your driver’s license, you will need to obtain a hard copy of your driving history, which should be done before leaving your previous province. It is recommended to request at least 7 years of driving history, as not having this could result in receiving a restricted “new driver” license from BC. You can obtain a driving history printout from your previous provincial licensing office. Additionally, it’s important to obtain a copy of your insurance and driving history, and bring these documents along with your current driver’s license and payment method (credit card/debit card/cash) to an ICBC Driver Licensing office. In most cases, you won’t need to take a driving test and will only need to complete a short oral quiz, as they will simply exchange your old license for a new BC license.
Do I need a motorcycle driver’s license if I own a scooter or moped.
Driving a scooter or moped in British Columbia only requires a regular driver’s license; you do not need a motorcycle license. However, if your scooter has a maximum speed of 70km/hour and meets other requirements to be classified as a “limited-speed motorcycle,” it will still be subject to extra rules and regulations, which are not applicable for regular scooters or mopeds.
Here’s the ICBC guide
Car insurance in Victoria, BC
In British Columbia, car insurance is provided exclusively by ICBC, a semi-government company. To obtain car insurance, you must visit an approved business that is licensed to sell insurance through ICBC, also known as “autoplan brokers.” To find an autoplan broker, ICBC provides a “Find a service” website that can be used to locate a broker near you.
What do I need to bring to get my car insurance?
To obtain car insurance, you will typically need to provide a few items. These may include the title of your car, your driver’s license (which does not necessarily need to be a BC driver’s license), and a form of payment such as a credit card, debit card, cash, or checkbook.
A screwdriver or wrench to uninstall your current plates (as you will likely be required to do this while at the insurance provider) is also a good thing to bring along.
How much is car insurance per month?
The process by which ICBC determines the cost of your car insurance can be a bit confusing. In 2019, the average monthly cost for car insurance in British Columbia was $152 per car, as reported by www.ibc.ca. To determine your specific monthly cost, ICBC considers several factors such as where you live, the number of kilometers you drive to work each day, the auto theft and crime rates in your area, your age, your driving history (including any speeding tickets or car accidents), the age and value of your car, and whether you have teenage drivers. Each of these factors represents a “risk” that can affect your monthly payment. Tabs are included in the monthly price, and car insurance is renewed annually. If you receive a speeding ticket and fail to pay it, you will be required to pay the ticket at the ICBC counter before you can renew your insurance.
Moving with your car
Before moving to BC with your car, ensure that you have owned it for at least 30 days. If you purchased the car less than 30 days ago, you may have to pay an import tax that can cost nearly $2,000. Once you arrive in BC, it is advisable to get your driver’s license before exchanging your plates, as this will make the process much smoother.