Driver's License info

Scotlandbound
New Member



Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 4

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:58 pm

 

---

So.if I switch out my Canadian license for a UK license (after or before the 12 months where I can still use my Canadian license) do I then lose my status as a safe driver here in BC?

In BC we are pretty much monopolized by ICBC and because I have been a safe driver for so many years I have a major cost reduction for my insurance.

If I surrender my Canadian license, does that mean that when I reapply for it (or swap my UK license for a BC one when I get back) I will basically be starting from scratch--i.e. be considered by ICBC as a driver with no driving history, safe or otherwise, and therefore have to pay the regular insurance fees?

This question might be a bit too specific for this forum, but if anyone has any experience with this situation or knowledge of ICBC, I'd appreciate hearing about it!

---

ashschu
Junior Member



Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 12
Location: Vancouver Island

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:38 pm

 

---

Scotlandbound - I am in the same boat as you, and would love to hear from anyone who has actually been through this.


However, I have been doing some research about this and from all I can find out giving up your BC Drivers Licence does not reset you to the 0% discount with ICBC. The percentage is built up over the years that you have had a BC DL and the only thing that will make it decrease is insurance claims. Think about all the people that have forgotten to renew their DL in time and end up technically "without" a DL in the in between time before they remember to renew. They just renew and keep going from there

With that being said, I would really love to hear from anyone else in BC who has gone through this as I'm not sure if it makes any difference if you decide to "give up" your licence. I wonder if maybe the province may try to punish you for leaving and surrendering you licence.know what I mean?

Sorry not much help - but I figured I'd share what I have managed to find out

---

brummie_bets
New Member



Joined: 14 Oct 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Birmingham

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:43 pm

 

---

Hi there,

This is probably a really late reply, since all the postings are from Feb 2008. But just fyi, I recently just called ICBC to ask about my situation: moving from BC to UK and then possibly moving back to BC - how easy is it for me to get my BC driver's license back? I got a reply from ICBC that all I have to do is show them a valid (or expired) driver's license, any license from anywhere, and I will get a full BC license back.

Now, I have not yet done this, since I have just moved over to the UK, but this is exactly what I was told by ICBC. So I have to believe that this policy will not change before I return back to Canada.

---

Davidfromcalgary
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 07 Jun 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:06 pm

 

---

I have been told that I should look into getting a class 4 driving test done in a standard Before I go over to allow me to drive standard in England. Apparently you CANNOT REDO a class 5 license test in a standard since I already have my class 5. Then I am supposed to get in writing that I indeed passed the test in a standard and give that with my Alberta license in Britain to get a british license. If I come back to Canada do I need to keep a record of my no claims from when I leave Canada to give to my insurer so that if I come back to canada it doesnt start from scratch?

---