How long can I actually drive on my home country's licence in BC before I have to exchange it?

BC's commonly-cited window is around 90 days on a valid foreign licence before you're expected to hold a BC licence, similar to Alberta and Saskatchewan (Quebec's window runs longer). Don't treat that as gospel though — confirm the exact current window and whether a reciprocal exchange agreement applies to your specific country directly with ICBC, since eligibility conditions (visitor vs. new resident, whether you need an International Driving Permit) can affect it. /guides/drivers-licence-exchange walks through how reciprocal agreements work province by province. General information from my own experience, not legal advice — for anything specific to your file, a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer can look at your actual documents.