British Columbia Health Card, Licence and Benefits

A plain-language guide to the main British Columbia services: renewing your BC Services Card, renewing your driver's licence, and the provincial benefits paid with your federal benefits.

By Sarah Moglin Fact-checked by Samuel Athur

Last verified November 10, 2026 How we check our facts

At a glance

Service	In short
Health card	BC Services Card; free; renew by the expiry date, at ICBC
Driver's licence	In person at ICBC, up to 180 days early
Benefits paid by the CRA	BC family benefit

Health card

Adults in B.C. renew their BC Services Card by the expiry date on the card, at an ICBC driver licensing office, often together with their driver's licence. The card itself is free. Bring two pieces of ID and have your photo taken. People 75 and older and under 19 don't need to renew. Full guide: How to Renew Your BC Services Card (MSP Health Card).

Driver's licence

B.C. driver's licences are renewed in person at an ICBC driver licensing office, up to 180 days before they expire. Book an appointment, bring two pieces of accepted ID and pay the fee. Renewing early doesn't shorten your licence, and any debts to ICBC or the province must be paid first. Full guide: How to Renew a BC Driver's Licence at ICBC.

Provincial benefits

The CRA pays the BC family benefit for the province: a tax-free monthly payment for families with children under 18, combined with the Canada child benefit. For July 2026 to June 2027 it is reduced by 4% of family net income over $30,176.

Your BC Services Card also lets you sign in to your CRA account as a provincial partner.

How to Renew Your BC Services Card (MSP Health Card) Adults in B.C. renew their BC Services Card by the expiry date on the card, at an ICBC driver licensing office, often together with their driver's licence. The card itself is free. Bring two pieces of ID and have your photo taken. People 75 and older and under 19 don't need to renew. How to Renew a BC Driver's Licence at ICBC B.C. driver's licences are renewed in person at an ICBC driver licensing office, up to 180 days before they expire. Book an appointment, bring two pieces of accepted ID and pay the fee. Renewing early doesn't shorten your licence, and any debts to ICBC or the province must be paid first. Provincial Services in Canada: Health Cards, Licences, Benefits Plain-language guides to renewing your health card and driver's licence in each of Canada's 10 provinces, and the provincial benefits paid along with your federal benefits. Canada Child Benefit (CCB): How Much You Get in 2026-2027 From July 2026 to June 2027, the Canada child benefit pays up to $8,157 a year ($679.75 a month) for each child under 6 and up to $6,883 a year ($573.58 a month) for each child aged 6 to 17. You get the full amount if your 2025 adjusted family net income is $38,237 or less; above that it is reduced.

Sources

Provincial and territorial programs (CRA, canada.ca) (canada.ca)
Your BC Services Card (gov.bc.ca) (www2.gov.bc.ca)
Renew your licence or ID (ICBC) (icbc.com)

North Help Desk is an independent guide, not a government website. Rules, amounts and phone hours can change; always confirm on the official page before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.