British Columbia Driver’s Licence

To legally drive a car in Canada, you’ll need a driver’s licence issued by the government of your province or territory. You must have it with you whenever you’re driving. With it, you can drive anywhere in Canada.

If you have a valid licence from your home country, you’ll probably be able to use this to drive in Canada for a short time after you arrive. Check with the government of your province or territory for details.

If you plan to use a foreign driver’s licence in Canada, you should get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country. An IDP will give you a translation of your licence into French and English.

The process to get a driver’s licence in Canada depends on the province or territory where you live and on your driving background. It may include:

• a written exam on the rules of the road (you can get a study guide to help with this)
• one or two driving tests