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Steps to renewing your driver's licence

Driver licence expired? Here's how to renew it.

Remember: it's illegal to drive with an expired driver's licence. Your photo driver's licence must be renewed every 5 years.

Exception: Your first full-privilege B.C. driver's licence must be renewed after 2 years.

When does my licence expire? The expiration year is shown on your licence. The actual day of expiry is your birthday.

Here you’ll learn about:

The renewal notice

ICBC will mail you a renewal notice to the last address on file approximately 6 weeks before your licence expiry date. However, you can renew your licence any time up to 6 months before the expiry date.

It is your responsibility to renew your driver's licence, and to ensure that ICBC has your current address. (See Change address.)

How to renew?

Here you’ll find where and how to renew your licence. If your licence is expired, refer to renewing an expired licence.

Where do I renew?

You can renew your licence in person at any driver licensing office.

What do I need to bring?

You will need to bring with you:

Do I get a new photo and a temporary interim licence?

Once you've paid the renewal fee, surrendered your expired driver's licence and provided the information requested, licensing staff will take a new photo and issue you a temporary interim licence. This temporary licence is valid until you receive your new photo driver's licence in the mail.

Renewing your licence if you'll be travelling

You can only renew your driver's licence from within B.C.

If… Then…
you’ll be outside B.C. when your licence expires renew your licence early.

Notes:

Driver's licences can be renewed up to 6 months before the expiry date.

If early renewal isn't possible, contact your local driver licensing office.

 
you find yourself outside B.C. when your licence expires call ICBC's toll-free number (available throughout the continental USA and Canada ) at 1-800-950-1498.

Notes:

You can call (250) 978-8300 collect from non—toll-free locations. Licensing staff will provide you with further instructions.

Do not continue to drive with an expired driver's licence.

Renewing an expired B.C. driver's licence

If your B.C. driver’s licence expired… Then…
less than 3 years ago renew your licence at any driver licensing office. You will not necessarily need to be re-tested. You will need to bring with you:
  • one piece of primary and one piece of secondary identification, and
  • the renewal fee of $75.
Once the renewal fee is paid, we'll take a new photo of you. You will receive a temporary paper licence until your new photo licence gets to you in the mail.
more than 3 years ago You’ll need to be re-tested for your driver's licence:
  • Provide one piece of primary and one piece of secondary identification to licensing staff.
  • Take the road signs test and a vision screening. You can take these at any time. You do not need an appointment. There is no charge for the road signs test and vision screening.
  • When you are ready, take the road test. The road test fee depends on the class of licence you are renewing.
Book your road test now »
more than 3 years ago, but you can provide evidence that you’ve been driving outside BC within the last 3 years with a valid driver's licence you can renew your licence without further testing at any driver licensing office. You will need to bring with you:
  • supporting evidence to show you've been driving within the last 3 years (e.g., a valid driver's licence from another jurisdiction)
  • one piece of primary and one piece of secondary identification, and
  • the renewal fee of $75.
Once you've provided the information requested and paid the renewal fee, licensing staff will take a new photo and issue you a new photo driver's licence.
Glossary