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British Columbia Newcomers' Guide | ||||||
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Applying for a driver's licence
To apply for a B.C. driver’s licence, you must be 16 years old or older. Go to a Driver Services Centre. To find the phone numbers and locations of these offices, look in the White Pages of the telephone book under "ICBC–Driver Services."
Remember to take two pieces of identification (ID), such as your Birth Certificate, Canadian Residency Card, or Citizenship Card with you. If you are under 19 years old, a parent or guardian must sign the application.
Knowledge Test – New drivers must know about the driving rules in British Columbia. Ask for the RoadSense for Drivers Handbook at any Driver Services Centre. This booklet has information about learning to drive, B.C.’s traffic laws, the rules of the road, and safe driving.
After you have studied the booklet, you take a knowledge test. You will also have a vision test. If you use glasses, wear them to take the vision test.
If you need an interpreter, check with the Driver Services Centre.
Knowledge tests are available in English, French, Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese), Punjabi, Russian, Farsi, Arabic, Croatian, Vietnamese, and Spanish. If you can't read or write, you can take an oral test.
If you pass the knowledge test, you get a learner driver’s licence. It is good for one year. You can practice driving with this licence, but you must always have someone 25 years old or older who has a driver’s licence sitting next to you.
Road Test – If you have an existing foreign licence, you can take the road test right after you pass the knowledge test.
If you have never had a driver’s licence, you must wait at least twelve months under the Graduated Licensing Program before you take the road test. This period can be reduced by three months if you successfully complete a driver education course approved by ICBC.
During
the road test, an examiner will test how safely you drive. If you pass the road
test, you will get a B.C. driver’s licence. If you already hold a foreign licence
and fail the test, you will be required to
drive on a learner's licence until
your next test.
There is a fee for the knowledge test, the road test, and the driver’s licence.
For more information, visit an Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) Driver Services Centre. Website: www.icbc.com or phone Driver Licensing Customer Contact at 1-800-950-1498 throughout British Columbia or 978-8300 in Greater Victoria.
Driving schools
Driving schools can help you learn to drive. You may be able to find a teacher who speaks your language. Look in the Yellow Pages under "Driving Instruction" to find a list of driving schools in your area.
Buying a new or used car from a dealer
Car dealers sell new and used cars. The names of dealers are in the Yellow Pages of the telephone book under "Automobile Dealers – New Cars" or "Automobile Dealers – Used Cars."
It is a good idea to visit several dealers to compare prices before you buy a car. You should also bargain with the salesperson to get a lower price.
Warranties
What happens if something goes wrong with your car? New cars have a "warranty." This means the dealer will replace or repair certain parts for free. Each warranty may cover only some things. Find out what the warranty covers and how long it lasts.
Getting a loan
Are you borrowing money to buy a car? Ask a bank or credit union for a loan with a low interest rate. A car dealer may also have loans available. Check at several places.
Buying a used car from another person
You can also buy a car directly from an owner. Check the Classified Ads in the newspaper, or look at specialized papers like the Auto Trader. Always test drive a car before you buy it. Take along a friend or relative for advice.
Is the car in good condition? Does it need repairs? Is it easy to get parts for the car? Find out the answers before you buy a car. If possible, ask a mechanic to check the car before you buy it.
If you buy a used motor vehicle from outside of B.C., or a rebuilt or altered vehicle, you must pay to have the vehicle inspected for safety before you can licence or register the vehicle. The inspection must be done at a Designated Inspection Facility (look in the Yellow Pages under "Vehicle Inspection Service"). For more information call any B.C. Autoplan Broker (look in the Yellow Pages under "Insurance Agents and Brokers"), or a Government Agents Office.
Checking for liens
Sometimes the seller has the ownership papers for the vehicle, but still owes money on the car. The bank or person to whom the money is owed may have a "lien" on the vehicle, meaning that they must be paid the money owed if the car is sold. If you buy the car, you may be responsible for the debt. It is important to ask for a lien search to check this. Some Driver Services Centres do lien searches, or check with a Government Agent. You will need the year, make and serial number of the car. There is a fee for this service.
Registration and insurance
You must register your car and buy licence plates and car insurance. You can do this at any Autoplan (insurance broker) office.
The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) is a company owned by the B.C. government. It provides vehicle insurance and handles accident claims. ICBC makes sure that every car owner in the province has insurance. The insurance you buy pays for costs if you cause an accident and hurt someone or damage property.
You can also buy other kinds of vehicle insurance, such as protection if you damage your own car. You do not have to buy these other kinds of insurance, but it is a good idea to get as much protection as possible.
If you were a safe driver in your country, you can ask your insurance company in that country to write a letter about your insurance claims record. Take the letter with you when you buy your insurance. You may get a safe driving discount.
Car accidents
What should you do if you have an accident?
- Find out if anyone is hurt.
- Write down the other driver’s:
- name, address and phone
- number
- driver’s licence number
- car licence plate number
- Get the name, address and phone number of anyone who saw the accident.
You can write all of this information on the Accident Report Form that is in your How to Make a Claim booklet. You receive this booklet with your car insurance papers.
Reporting to the police
Report to the police if:
- Someone has been hurt or killed.
- It looks as if the damage to the cars will cost more than $1,000.
- The other driver broke the law. For example, the driver was drunk, or drove through a red light.
- Another driver hit your car and drove away ("hit and run").
If you need the police to come, call the emergency number in your area. If it is not an emergency, go to the police station within 24 hours.
Reporting to ICBC
You should phone ICBC as soon as possible. Call the "Dial-a-Claim" number for the place where you live. You can find this number in your "How to Make a Claim" booklet or in the White Pages of the telephone book under "ICBC"
Traffic tickets
You have to pay a fine if the police catch you breaking certain traffic laws, such as driving through a red light or speeding (driving faster than the speed limit). You do not pay the police officer who gave you the ticket. You can pay the fine by cheque. Send your cheque to the address on the ticket. If you disagree with the ticket, you can go to court. The judge will decide if you have to pay.
Drivers who break a traffic law also get points against their driving records. For example, three points are charged for speeding. Drivers with four or more points in one year must pay money to ICBC.
Parking tickets
You also have to pay a fine if you get a ticket for parking in a "no parking" area or if you don’t put enough money in a parking meter. Be sure to check the signs on the parking lot or meter to find out how much you are supposed to pay, and between what hours you are supposed to put money in the meter. Some parking meters have "No Parking Between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m." signs on them, and if you park at these meters between those hours, your car will be towed away.
Speeding
In most cities the speed limit is 50 kilometres per hour (km/h). This is the speed limit if there are no signs otherwise. Outside cities, the speed limit is usually a little higher–watch for speed limit signs. Near parks and schools, the speed limit is 30 km/h. The fines for speeding are $100 and up.
Seat belts
Seat belts can protect you from injuries in a car crash. In British Columbia, all drivers and passengers must wear seat belts. The police can fine you if you or other people in your car are not wearing a seat belt.
What happens if you are in an accident and you are not wearing a seat belt? You may get less money if you make an insurance claim.
Children under nine kilos (20 pounds) must sit in a baby seat facing the rear of the car. Children between nine and 18 kilos (20 to 40 pounds) must sit in a child safety seat. Children over six years old must wear seat belts.
Drinking and driving
British Columbia has very strict laws about driving after you have been drinking alcohol. If the police stop you, they can take away your driver’s licence. You may have to pay a fine or go to jail.
AirCare program
Air pollution is a big problem in the Vancouver area. More than 75 per cent of this pollution comes from cars. The B.C. government has a program to test cars for pollution. It is called the AirCare Program. Many cars and light trucks in the Lower Mainland must be tested every year before owners can renew their car licence and insurance. If your car does not pass the test, you must get it repaired, or you will not be able to get your insurance and licence renewed.
For more information, look in the White Pages of the telephone book under "AirCare Information Hotline" or "ICBC."
Winter car care
Some areas of the province have a lot of snow and very cold temperatures in the winter. It is important to get your car ready for winter driving. What do you need to do?
- Check the battery. Make sure it has enough water.
- Make sure you have antifreeze in the radiator. Have it tested so you know how cold it can be before it freezes.
- Put windshield wiper fluid in your windshield wiper reservoir. It won’t freeze in cold weather.
- Get a block heater installed if your car doesn’t already have one. This heater warms up your engine block before you start the car, so it is easier to start.
- Get good tires. Snow tires are best for deep snow. Many people use all season tires for hard snow on city streets. You can use these tires all year. Some roads outside cities have lots of snow and ice. The police may require your car to have snow tires or chains to travel on these roads.
You can talk to the people at your local garage or service station for information and advice about winter car care.
Go to next page: Chapter 10, Childcare
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