While there are many universal driving laws, driving in one country can be very different from driving in another. Canada is no exception to this statement, as Canadian driving rules and conditions require a different approach than what you may be used to in your home country.
What's different about driving in Canada?Each province has its own variant of regulations. Regardless of which province you are in, if you are a foreign national planning to stay in Canada for an extended period of time, you must apply for an international driver's license. You also need to be prepared for the fact that there are large parts of Canada that are quite remote.
We highly recommend reading this article if you are planning to drive in Canada. By the end of this article, you'll know how to get an international driver's license, how to prepare for Canada's sometimes treacherous roads, and how to read road signs, which can be drastically different than what you're used to.
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Can you drive in Canada with a US driver's license?
Yes, you can drive in Canada with a US driver's license, but remember that as in the US, you will need proof of insurance. You will also need a copy of your vehicle registration document. Make sure you have copies of these documents in your vehicle before leaving your home country. Avoid the unenviable task of proving to foreign authorities that you can legally drive in your home country.
How long is my foreign driver's license valid in Canada?
Your foreign driver's license exists as a temporary driver's license in Canada.In many ways, this is similar to laws that require you to apply for a new license if you move from one US state to another.Foreign license transfer laws may vary by province, so we recommend that you check your province's laws about this.this official government website.
It is always recommended to visit official government websites with .ca domain when planning your trip.. There are numerous travel blogs and websites that may contain outdated or incorrect information about driving in Canada with a foreign license.
In Ontario, for example, you arenecessaryApply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you plan to stay longer than 3 months.In Quebec, drivers with a foreign driver's license can drive for 6 months without obtaining an IDP. You must apply for your international driving license from an organization outside your home country.
US citizens can obtain their IDP atAmerican Automobile Association(AAA).If you are currently in the United States, you can apply for an IDP by visiting a local AAA branch. You can find the nearest AAA agency through theAAA garage locator.First call the office to see if they offer IDP services in your area.
If you are already in Canada, you can apply for an IDP by completing the formAddress shown on this page.If you are in Canada, this process can take 4-6 weeks.If you've been in Canada for more than a month, you should definitely start getting an IDP.
Use navigation aids
In addition to making sure you are legal to drive in Canada, the next important step for an American planning to drive in Canada is to get the right navigation aids.This is important even in less remote areas, as Canada's highway system is quite different from the US interstate system.
ANDBorder Public Order CenterYou've noticed in the recent past that Canada doesn't have a completely separate highway system like the divided highways that Americans take for granted. If you plan on driving in Canada, be prepared for heavy traffic in urban centers.
Outside of its dense urban centers, Canada is largely a remote place.In fact, 66% of people in Canadalive within 100 km (or 62 miles) of the US borderThis represents just 4% of Canada's total geographic area.If you travel to any area outside of this region, you will be greeted by vast, remote forests. There are even large sections of the Trans-Canada Highway that are quite isolated.
Getting lost in these areas can be quite dangerous.You'll also find areas with very limited cell service, making a digital GPS ineffective. Store a variety of navigational aids, both digital and paper, even if you don't plan on traveling to remote locations.
Canada map pack pack
That's itcollection of folding paper maps, produced by National Geographic, is a must-see when traversing the Canadian wilderness. Even if you plan to spend most of your time in Canada close to the city, you might want to spend your weekend in the beautiful Canadian wilderness.
The package is divided into 3 sections: Canada West, Canada Central and Canada East.These cards are waterproof and tear resistant.The best part is that they provide a detailed overview of the terrain without needing to be fed by satellites.
GPS navigation system for buses
Reliable in-vehicle navigation systems are quite affordable these days, as evidenced by the sticker price.this Sixpo GPS navigation system.This GPS navigator has a 7 inch screen, 256 MB of RAM memory and 8 GB of ROM memory.
Familiarize yourself with the metric system
All Canadian road signs, includingSpeed limit signs are based on the metric system. You can get into a lot of trouble if you are not aware of this. The speedometers of many automobiles in the United States indicate speed in km/h on a scale below the mph scale on the speedometer.Vehicles with a digital speedometer display often include the option to switch to km/h in settings.. Make sure you make the necessary setup changes before entering Canada.
You should also become familiar with the metric scale so that you can read distance signs on the road.These signs are like the distance signs in the United States, showing the distance to the nearest cities.The only difference is that distances in Canada are given in kilometers (km).
1 mile = 1.61 kilometers
Conversion from metric to imperial as shown above often gives the false impression that things are further away than they really are. The same city that is 50 miles away is 80 kilometers away. Take away the units from the numbers and suddenly the city seems much further away.
You can see how much trouble this can cause when you think about speed limits.Many segments of the Trans-Canada Highway Systemhave speed limits of 100 km/h. The number 100 might sound too fast for an American. In fact, this value is equivalent to 100 km/h, a speed limit considered quite low on many US interstates, where speed limits are often in the 120 km/h range.
Familiarize yourself with some French expressions for Quebec
If you plan on driving around Quebec, I suggest learning a few French phrases. French is the only official language of the province of Quebec. Many street signs in the province used to be in French.However, as of late 2018, the governmentbegan replacing exclusively French signs with bilingual pictograms.
However, remnants of the French road sign era may still be present in Quebec. You certainly don't need to learn the French language, but you are encouraged to learn at least a few common phrases. All you really need is a simplePocket book of French phrases like the one found here.
Understand Canadian traffic lights
For the most part, traffic lights in Canada are very similar to those in the United States. Green means go, yellow means give in or a red light is imminent, and a red light means stop.However, some areas in Canada may have traffic lights with some additional features that we don't see in the United States, especially in urban areas like those in theProvince of Ontario.
traffic priority signs
Some urban areas have priority signs. They are shown as a white vertical bar on a dark background and are placed above the red traffic light. Traffic priority signs allow transit vehicles such as buses the opportunity to pass through the intersection while other traffic is stopped.
You don't have to worry too much about getting confused by this light, as it even has a red light.Still, it's good to be aware of the fact that this is present in some places, so you won't be surprised to see a road sign.
Prepare a vehicle survival kit
As mentioned above, 66% of Canada's population lives within 62 miles of the US border in dense urban centers. There is a good chance your vehicle will be pulled over in a remote area. You are particularly susceptible to this during the Canadian winter months.
You are encouraged to assemble a vehicle survival kit,especially if you are planning a leisure trip to a remote area. Vehicle survival kits should contain at least emergency food rations, water and warm clothing.The Canadian government has created a list of recommended materials for vehicle emergency kits.
ANDListcontains:
- Foods that don't spoil (they specifically recommend energy bars)
- water (plastic bottles)
- Things
- additional clothes
- A first aid kit with seat belt cutters.
- Tools for removing snow and ice
- a string lantern
- A whistle/noise attractor device
Below I will provide some specific recommendations for items that should be considered for inclusion in your vehicle's emergency kit. If you need to take medication (eg insulin) I would always recommend traveling with enough doses to cover at least a week of stranding.
First aid kit
Every vehicle must have a first aid kit at all times. This would be a good opportunity to invest in a quality first aid kit if you don't already have one.WNG Brands manufactures one of the most comprehensive vehicle first aid kits on the market.this teamIncludes the typical bandage and gauze kit, plus jumper cables, seat belt cutter, portable LED flashlight, and tow rope, among other things.
Non-perishable food
The Government of Canada website getorepared.ca specifically recommends energy bars as a non-perishable item for your vehicle's emergency kit. You can buy a pack of 16 Clif energy bars for a relatively low price, as seenHere.
Other good non-perishable foods for your vehicle's emergency kit include:Nuts/Student Mixes,dried fruit,jpeanut butter. These aren't the only foods to include in your first aid kit. Just make sure any food you plan to pack in your vehicle's emergency kit is perishable.
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Your equipment must include an adequate supply of fresh water during the journey. Buy plastic water bottles because you want a bottle that can be frozen and thawed without damage. If it's winter, you can replenish your water supply by putting fresh snow in the bottle.
Tools for removing snow and ice
Snow and ice removal tools are essential when driving across Canada. Winter weather in Canada is particularly harsh, and you may need to clean your car almost every day during the winter. Odetachable car dust brush and ice scraperIt helps you keep your car free from ice and snow in winter.
set of torches
A flag kit likeThis Hokena LED high beam kitIt is an indispensable emergency device during long car trips. Your vehicle can be parked in winter. Otherwise, it can be difficult to attract attention on remote stretches of the Trans-Canada Highway. If you use torches, everyone passing by will know you need help.
Car repair tool set
If you are driving on the Trans-Canada Highway or other remote areas, we highly recommend investing in a standard tool kit that will allow you to perform most emergency auto repairs as needed.
You should already have a spare tire and tire lever kit somewhere on your vehicle in case you get a flat tire.If you don't have them, make sure you have a spare before traveling to Canada.
That's itDeko Pro General tool set for home and automotive repairsAt the very least, it gives you the peace of mind that you can make emergency repairs if you get stuck on a remote stretch of road. Even if you end up not using the toolkit, it's still a great toolkit to have when you get back home.
Consider investing in a SEND
SEND stands for Satellite Emergency Notification Device. This is a device that transmits a satellite signal corresponding to your location in an emergency situation. They can be a little pricey.But they're an absolute must for anyone planning to spend time in remote areas where emergency help might not be around.
A popular example of SEND is theGarmin inReach GPS mini satellite communicator.This device allows you to send and receive text messages remotely and track your journey on a map when paired with compatible devices.More important,The device can send an SOS alert to an emergency response team.
There are many remote areas, including along the Trans-Canada Highway, where you may not have adequate cellular signal. This is especially the case in the dead of winter. During winter traffic, traffic is lighter in many remote areas and travel can be treacherous. Anyone planning to travel to remote areas of Canada should consider being trapped and unable to call for help.