The convenience of public transportation varies by province and territory in Canada. Therefore, having a Canadian driver’s licence is essential if you want to travel freely across the country.
In Vancouver, you have several options for getting around: the SkyTrain (metro), buses, and even the SeaBus—a ferry that takes you across the water to North Vancouver. However, having a driver’s licence is very convenient if you want to explore outside of downtown Vancouver. Car rental services are also well-established.
There are plenty of places to visit around Vancouver, making it a fantastic hub for sightseeing and adventures.
Can international students drive in Canada?
Absolutely! Depending on the provinces’ regulations, international students can drive a car in Canada with a valid driving licence. As long as you meet requirements in the province where you are studying, you have no restrictions to start driving in Canada.
Let’s have a quick look at the regulations for some of the provinces in Canada.
Driving in British Columbia as a Student
British Columbia welcomes the vast majority of international students coming to Canada. In general, there are 90 days to switch your valid licence to a BC driver’s licence.
If you are enrolled at a designated educational institute like Cornerstone College, students are not required to have a BC licence until they become permanent residents.
So, you are lucky as an international student driving in BC!
Check out this link for information about the driving regulations in BC!
Driving School Lists in British Columbia
In case you want to get a Canadian driving licence, you may need to take a road test to be able to get the licence.
There are many driving schools in Vancouver. You should be able to find one that is convenient for you to attend from your home.
Practicing with professional instruction before taking the test is a recommended method to ensure you receive safe and effective guidance before obtaining your driver’s licence.
You can find all driver training schools and their locations in British Columbia on ICBC’s website.
Can I drive in other provinces?
Driving allows you to travel to various places. Since driving rules differ by province, please check the regulations of each province.
Please refer to the following link to get more details about driving in Canada: Driving in Canada – Canada.ca
Type of Driving Licences in Canada
There are many varieties for each type of vehicle to be authorized to drive in Canada. For example, if you want to drive a truck or motorcycle, you have the right licence to be on the road. Otherwise, you may get fined or banned from the traffic.
The classification of driver’s licences in Canada is slightly different between Ontario and other provinces. Please follow this link to check what type of driving licence for Ontario province you may need.
Here is the list of driving licence types below:
Driver’s licences: Class 5 or Class 7
Motorcycle licences: Class 6 or Class 8
Commercial licences: Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4 (restricted) and Class 4 (unrestricted)
Heavy tailor endorsement: Class 4 or Class 5
Source: https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/types-licences/Pages/Licence-classes-and-types.aspx
Driving in Vancouver
Vancouver has awesome car-share options such as Evo, Car2Go, and Modo. These car-sharing initiatives allow you to rent a car whenever you want.
Car insurance in BC is expensive, so these options offer much cheaper alternatives when you want to spend the day in Whistler or take a trip to Vancouver Island.
You can register easily online and use an app to rent the car for up to 1 day. You need:
A valid, full driving licence
A credit card
Your driving record
If you plan to stay in Vancouver for more than 6 months, you may wish to get a Canadian driving licence. For Vancouver, you would receive a BC (British Columbia) driving licence.
How can I get a BC Driving Licence?
Some countries have a ‘reciprocal licence exchange’, which means that you can simply exchange your licence from your own country, for a Canadian licence.
You do not need to take a test, but you will need:
Your current driver’s licence
To find out if your country is on this list, visit ICBC Online
If your country is not on the list, here is what you need to do:
If you’re from any other country not listed as “reciprocal”, you can still apply for a B.C. licence.
- You also need to take a knowledge test and a road test.
- You have up to 90 days to complete the process of exchanging your licence, but you should do it as early as possible.
- You will need to book a road test and may have to wait for the next available appointment.
You can visit a local ICBC office to book a knowledge test and a road test. There are many around the city and you can search online to find the nearest one to you.
Or you can book a road test here. The current road test fee is 50 CAD for class 5 and class 6 types of driving licences in BC.
