Can anyone drive my car in BC?

In British Columbia (BC), the rules for allowing someone else to drive your car depend on the insurance coverage on your vehicle. Here are the key considerations:

1. Permission Required:

   • You must explicitly give the other person permission to drive your car. Without your consent, it would be considered unauthorized use.

2. ICBC Insurance:

   • In BC, vehicle insurance is tied to the car, not the driver. If someone else drives your car with your permission and gets into an accident, your ICBC insurance coverage applies.

3. Listed Drivers:

   • If the person driving is not listed on your insurance policy and they cause an accident, you might face a higher deductible or a surcharge on your insurance premium.
   • Adding regular or frequent drivers to your policy can help avoid this issue.

4. Valid Driver’s License:

   • The person driving your car must have a valid driver’s license. If they are caught driving without a valid license, you could face penalties.

5. Coverage for Non-Residents:

   • If the driver is visiting from out of province or country, they must have a valid driver’s license from their home jurisdiction, and your ICBC insurance policy must allow for out-of-province drivers.

6. Restrictions:

   • If your policy has restrictions (e.g., based on age or experience), ensure the person driving your car meets those criteria.

7. Private Insurance (if applicable):

   • If you have additional private insurance, check the terms and conditions, as they may have different rules for non-listed drivers.

Key Advice:

• Check your ICBC insurance policy to understand the implications of letting someone else drive your car.
• Always confirm that the other person has a valid driver’s license.
• If the person will drive your car frequently, consider listing them on your insurance policy.