Why does BC even have driver's licenses?

[Hermes]

I am not a truck driver, not a taxi driver - I am just a traveller. Going from point A to point B. I don't see why I should pay to have a piece of paper that authorizes me to operate a car. Especially as my eyes weren't tested nor was my driving ability. And now a monopoly corporation (ICBC) issues such 'licenses' rather than the department of Motor Vehicles. The only purposes it serves is as revenue generator and especially a way for the State to monitor people's movements. I think this is disingenuous. If Canada is to have a provincial or national ID be honest about it. My passport doesn't list my contacts with the police or my home address, why should my driver's license? I can have multiple fishing licenses, so why not driver's licenses?

I think it's a scam.

[lightspeed]

In BC your DL is primary ID.

If you don't like it I suggest moving to somewhere less onerous and more liberal. Like Afghanistan or Sudan.

My, you do start some odd threads...not sure if trolling.

[GordonH]

^^^ Plus it has 2 purposes its your BC medical services card

[Fancy]

^^^ Plus it has 2 purposes its your BC medical services card

Only if you request it - some people still have the two cards.

[Fancy]

I can have multiple fishing licenses, so why not driver's licenses?

One driver's licence still doesn't entitle one to drive all vehicles.

[GordonH]

^^^ Plus it has 2 purposes its your BC medical services card

Only if you request it - some people still have the two cards.

New cards will be connected once you go to renew D/L, you are issued new card with both.
If you are between age of 19 to 75 and need a replacement card for either D/L or BC Medical services. You are issued the new card

[Fancy]

You still have the option of having two cards. Both may have photo ID.

C Driver's Licence and Services Card or Photo BC Services Card

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/gover ... -your-card

[GordonH]

^^^ only if you don't have D/L, when I renewed my D/L it was not option.

[Bsuds]

^^^ only if you don't have D/L, when I renewed my D/L it was not option.

When I renewed my license last year I got both cards.

It states on the website that you "can" combine the 2 not that you have to.

[Dizzy1]

^^^ only if you don't have D/L, when I renewed my D/L it was not option.

Mine was

[Fancy]

When I renewed (after the new program was well underway) I asked for separate cards and got them. Both have photo ID.

A more convenient option for drivers: combine your driver’s licence with the BC Services Card.

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/gover ... vices-card

[GordonH]

I am not a truck driver, not a taxi driver - I am just a traveller. Going from point A to point B. I don't see why I should pay to have a piece of paper that authorizes me to operate a car. Especially as my eyes weren't tested nor was my driving ability. And now a monopoly corporation (ICBC) issues such 'licenses' rather than the department of Motor Vehicles. The only purposes it serves is as revenue generator and especially a way for the State to monitor people's movements. I think this is disingenuous. If Canada is to have a provincial or national ID be honest about it. My passport doesn't list my contacts with the police or my home address, why should my driver's license? I can have multiple fishing licenses, so why not driver's licenses?

I think it's a scam.

Well, get pulled over by RCMP without a D/L and see what happens (I'm not talking about not on you at the time either)

[Fancy]

Especially as my eyes weren't tested nor was my driving ability.

Did you receive your original driver's licence from another country?

If you have a driver’s licence from any of the countries or regions where BC has a reciprocal licence agreement in place and at least two years of driving experience, then you can usually just exchange for a B.C. driver’s licence right away.

http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/mo ... untry.aspx

[Bsuds]

Sometimes I think very few are tested for their driving ability.

[Fancy]

One doesn't get road tested going from province to province (or some countries to Canada) and maybe that should change.