Drivers License conversion from BC (Canada) to Washington state

[HF & HB 6]

I just wanted to give a heads up and clarification for anyone who may have a Class 7 (N, New) drivers license from British Columbia, Canada, looking to convert it to a Washington state license. Earlier this year before leaving Canada I decided to research the process of converting the license since I had heard that BC and WA have an agreement which allows the applicant to receive their license in WA without extra tests so long as they had a BC license. At the time I was preparing for my final test in order to get Class 5 (full license). However, I decided to cancel my test due to some wrong information I received regarding this process. I had read online someone else's experience stating that they received a full WA license coming from BC with a class 7. Wanting to verify that this indeed was true I called the licensing office in my current city in WA and received yet another confirmation that indeed I could bring my N license and get a full WA license. However, this has not been proven to be true. I'm not sure if maybe the policies have changed in the last few months or if I spoke with someone who was very misinformed, but after going to the licensing office yesterday they told me I would need to take a knowledge and driving test here before I could be allowed to drive. It came as a surprise after the info I had previously received, and of course I regret not going through with my test earlier this year. If anyone else has gone through this specific type of license exchange or process I'd love to hear any advise/experience.

 

Hope this will be helpful to anyone looking to move from BC to WA

 

[Cryssiekins 976]

Yeah, unfortunately you were provided incorrect information about the reciprocity agreements between Canada and the US.  You have to have a full, unrestricted Canadian license to exchange for a US license.  
 

There’s another member who (like me) is from Ontario and had a G2 license.  I did tell her that to get a NY state license, she had to have a full G license.  She read or heard that it wasn’t the case, came on her K1, and was not able to get a NY drivers license. 

[HF & HB 6]

Thanks for your input Cryssiekins, I appreciate the feedback!