Find out how to renew your driver’s licence, BCID, enhanced driver’s licence (EDL) or enhanced identity card (EIC).
To renew your driver’s licence or BCID, bring two pieces of accepted ID to any driver licensing office up to six months (180 days) before your licence expires. To renew your enhanced driver’s licence (EDL) or enhanced identification card (EIC) you need to book an in-person appointment and reapply.
Renew your driver’s licence
You can’t smile in your new driver’s licence photo, but hopefully our friendly, efficient service will make you leave with one. Renewing is simple and easy—here’s how.
How to renew
To renew your licence:
- Visit any driver licensing office up to six months (180 days) before your licence expires. Renewing early won’t shorten its validity.
- Bring two pieces of accepted ID
- Pay the fee for your new licence
- Find out if your card is in the mail while you wait
Best times for you to visit
Come early morning mid-week for your best chance to avoid waiting during peak times.
Check out the infographic to see visitor traffic at our driver licensing offices.
If you are outside of B.C. at renewal time
Your licence must be renewed in person. If you’ll be away when your licence expires, try to renew before you leave. Like your passport, it’s important to hold a valid driver’s licence at all times when abroad or when visiting the U.S., if you plan to do any driving.
You can renew it up to 180 days early—and you won’t lose any time on your licence.
If you’re outside of B.C. when your licence expires, or if renewing within 180 days early isn’t enough, call our driver licensing information line.
Expired licences
It’s illegal to drive with an expired licence—don’t leave it till the last minute.
Ongoing medical conditions
Upon each application and renewal of a driver’s licence, you will be asked to declare any new or ongoing medical or physical condition. Please let us know if you would like privacy while doing so. ICBC is committed to ensuring your privacy as well as making reasonable accommodation for those with disabilities.
Renew your BCID
Your BCID card must be renewed every 5 years. Renewing is simple and easy. Here’s how.
How to renew
- Visit any driver licensing office
- Bring two pieces of accepted ID
- Pay the fee for your new BCID
- Find out if your card is in the mail while you wait
You do not have to re-submit a consent form if you’re under 19.
Your current BCID and a credit or bank card with your name and signature on it would typically qualify, unless you’ve recently changed your name.
Best times for you to visit
Come early morning mid-week for your best chance to avoid waiting during peak times.
Check out the infographic to see visitor traffic at our driver licensing offices.
BC Services card
Learn about getting a BC Services card as a free alternative to a BCID.
Renew your EDL or EIC
To renew your enhanced driver’s licence (EDL) or enhanced identification card (EIC) you need to book an in-person appointment and reapply. This ensures that you still meet the eligibility requirements.
What to bring to your appointment
- Your EDL or EIC
- Your original Canadian birth certificate or Canadian citizenship document, and
- One other piece of acceptable ID
- Pay the fee for your new EDL or EIC
After your appointment, you can find out if your card is in the mail.
When renewing an EDL or EIC, a passport is not accepted as proof of Canadian citizenship.
Name changes
If your name has recently changed, please also bring accepted linking documents.
Updates for EDL and EIC cardholders
Previously RFID readers were available only when entering the U.S. by land, but starting late in 2017 the Canadian Government is installing readers at some border crossings to allow EDL and EIC card holders the same benefits when re-entering Canada. In B.C., this includes the Pacific Highway (Surrey, B.C.), Douglas (Surrey, B.C.), and Aldergrove crossings. There is no change in the information shared with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the new RFID readers will simply allow access to your information faster to make your land travel more secure and efficient. If you have any questions, contact the ICBC driver’s licensing info line at 1-800-950-1498.
If your B.C. driver’s licence has been expired more than three years, find out how to renew it.
If you’ve been driving with an out-of-province licence
If during the last three years you’ve been driving with an out-of-province licence, you’ll need to exchange it for a B.C. driver’s licence. Bring it in to any ICBC driver licensing office along with two pieces of accepted ID and the renewal fee.
If you haven’t been driving
If your licence expired over three years ago and you haven’t been driving, you’ll need to be retested before you can renew.
You will need to visit a driver licensing office to take a vision screening and road signs test and be issued a learner’s licence. There is no fee for the road signs test.
You can then book a re-exam road test when you’re ready.
- Before your road test, any outstanding fines, medical requirements, cancellations or prohibitions must first be satisfied.
- If you have been licensed to operate several classes of vehicles, a road test using each type of vehicle will be required.
- Should you wish to retain a previously held air brake endorsement, you must also complete an air brake pre-trip inspection on an air brake-equipped vehicle.