ICBC Expressway

I came here at 3PM on a Monday afternoon to renew my license and there were about 40 people waiting for service. To my surprise from check-​in, to waiting, to getting my photo taken it was only about 25 minutes in total. I suppose if you only need a renewal it shouldn’t be a long process here, though other ICBC centres should have shorter lines.

I was pretty sure I’d be here all day when I saw the 20 person lineup on a Saturday morning before they even opened. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Once they opened the doors everyone got a number and waited their turn. Which ended up being less than 10 minutes for me, and I was at the end of the line. I gave my information, got my picture taken, and done, my new license is on the way. Staff were quick and efficient with the huge crowd, I was impressed.

Came to renew my BCID, waited almost 30 minutes and then when my number was called and got to the kiosk the rep pointed out that with the new BC Services card I don’t really need to pay $ 15 to renew the BCID I could just use the BC Services card as gov’t issued ID.
1. I was shocked that she actually tried to help me save money (how unlike ICBC)
2. I waited for nothing but because she saved me money I wasn’t that annoyed
For those of you that are curious I usually use my BCID when I travel because I don’t want to risk losing my driver’s license but it actually makes more sense to travel with the BC Services (new care card) card so that if something happens to me or I need medical attention I have the card on me anyways.
This location has good hours (not exactly mirrored with mall hours) but pretty close. It’s convenient if you’re already in the mall but other ICBC centers have shorter waits.

One of the few ICBC locations that are open past 1700.
Parking is plentiful in the Metropolis lot. Too plentiful. Be sure to remember where you parked your car. Hint — the pillars are lettered and numbered.
As soon as you walk in, the receptionist asks which service you’re looking for, then hands you a numbered ticket. Then it’s all about watching the screens. How their numbering system works, I can’t figure out.
Staff are friendly and cheerful. Nice and quick for a government office. Definitely faster than certain passport places.
Lastly, it’s a shame one can’t smile in photos anymore, or that they’ve (as of the time of writing) banned Pastafarians from wearing their religious colander hats. Those things are seriously cool.

If you just need to renew your license, this is the place to be.
Just bring your renewal form and another piece of Govt ID and get in line.
Even though it looks busy, the line does move fast.
They open during Mall Hours!

I am giving this location props ’cause it is an express station that does ID ONLY with other things. I am thankful for this ’cause I needed to renew my license and I was not in the mood or patience to sit at an actual ICBC center, take a number and deal with it. Just a warning that there is a long line up on a Saturday which is what happened the first time, however, honestly I was more in shopping mode at the mall than actually getting important things done. After work, hours depending, is the best time to go. It is a very basic center so don’t expect all the bells and whistles the other locations have. They don’t do any road testing here. Think about it, how would you be able to drive a car in the middle of the road that isn’t the mall kiddie train. The lady at the counter was really nice and allowed me to keep my old ID while the new one came in so that I could have a valid ID for a Commodore show that week (they just punched a hole in the card).

This ICBC location is conveniently located inside the Metropolis at Metrotown Mall, on the ground level near the Bay. It’s a smaller office, and doesn’t offer any knowledge or road testing. It’s also really easy to get to, either by skytrain, bus, or driving since there are tons of parking spaces all around the mall.
This location is closed on Sundays and always seems to have a long line on Saturdays. I’ve had to wait in that line twice: once to switch my Alberta license over to BC, and once to switch my maiden name to my married name on my license. The line moves reasonably fast, so you won’t be stuck waiting in it longer than 15 minutes (at least in my experience).
The people working at this ICBC location are really friendly and efficient. I have the tendency to look really mean in photos where I can’t smile, so it was great that I could see my photo before it was sent away. Although the staff said I wouldn’t get my new ID for 2 weeks, I received my driver’s license much earlier than that.
If you need your driver’s license renewed, this is a great location to get it done. It even gives you an excuse to go shopping afterwards!