Driving in Canada

[Schwarz Baron]

Had a bit of a panic, was told I need an International Driving Licence, for Canada, and I'm leaving next Monday, the 26th. Both main sites AA and RAC state not required but advised Why? any advice appreciated. I do believe I can still get one at the main Post Office in town if necessary, before I go..Canadian website I just looked at, states all foreign Driving licences are recognised by the Canadian authorities

cheers in advance

 

[Wizard]

International License is not required for a UK license holder in Canada.

I'd imagine it's recommended incase you get some thick moose of an RCMP officer who doesn't know the difference, eh.

 

[Schwarz Baron]

Cheers, mate, should have known you'd have the answer

 

[Iain Hogg]

Sounds right, hired a car 10 days ago in Toronto with a photo licence only - no paper part.

Iain

 

[Schwarz Baron]

Cheers Iain, broadened my searched, and it would appear you are right, thanks

 

[North]

Just remember to drive on the wrong side of the road over here.


http://www.toronto.intercontinental.com/yyzha/location_02.html

Driving Information


Licence Requirements
Canada honours all valid foreign driving licences. Therefore an International Driver's Permit is not necessary.

Which Side of the Road?
Throughout Canada, drive on the right-hand side of the carriageway.

 

[bladerunner]

Worth checking your travel insurance though.
Mine used to cover USA and Canada, but now requires extra premium.

I rode through the Rockies last September. AWESOME as the locals say.

If you get a chance, the book to read is "Destinations Highways - BC" - DH2 is a belter!

Simon

 

[Schwarz Baron]

Cheers all!

 

[Gecko]

Also maybe worth remembering that in Canada other ' citizen' motorists can report you for speeding and other offences and if the RCMP respond and pull you you get a summons based on what the other motorist reported . You can alwasy contest your innocence but the hassle often means paying the fine is the easier option. OH and if I'm not mistaken it is illegal to transport alcohol in a vehicle in Canada.

 

[luke scott]

My 18 year old is off to Vancouver Island tomorrow. While she is a very good driver she is still on her provisional licence. Does anyone know if she will have problems getting a provisional licence there ? She wil be there for ten weeks with friends of ours.

 

[North]

Also maybe worth remembering that in Canada other ' citizen' motorists can report you for speeding and other offences and if the RCMP respond and pull you you get a summons based on what the other motorist reported . You can alwasy contest your innocence but the hassle often means paying the fine is the easier option. OH and if I'm not mistaken it is illegal to transport alcohol in a vehicle in Canada.

I have never heard of that happening.

You can transport alcohol in your car or bike. You can't have opened alcohol in your vehicle. Like half a bottle wine.

Although in the Yukon Territory and the North West Territories last I saw, you could drink anywhere, even in your car. You just can't be impared.

 

[North]

My 18 year old is off to Vancouver Island tomorrow. While she is a very good driver she is still on her provisional licence. Does anyone know if she will have problems getting a provisional licence there ? She wil be there for ten weeks with friends of ours.

I would think that she might be put under the same laws we have here for New Drivers. It is different in each Province.

http://www.gov.bc.ca/bvprd/bc/searc...ion=searchresult&qp=&nh=10&qt=foreign drivers

I looked and could not find anything. She can always call ICBC.


http://www.icbc.com/licensing/lic_utility_resource&man.asp

Or a licensing office.

 

[PanEuropean]

Also maybe worth remembering that in Canada other ' citizen' motorists can report you for speeding and other offences and if the RCMP respond and pull you you get a summons based on what the other motorist reported . You can always contest your innocence but the hassle often means paying the fine is the easier option. OH and if I'm not mistaken it is illegal to transport alcohol in a vehicle in Canada.

Geez, I live in Canada, and I have never heard of anything like that. If you are driving like a real yahoo, and someone phones the police and reports you, the police can call that person in as a witness in court, but the normal procedures still apply - you have to attend, the policeman has to attend, the witness has to attend, etc.

As for alcohol - it is against the law in most parts of the country to transport open alcohol in a vehicle. I remember taking a driver ed course in the 1970s, and the instructor told us that it was a wise idea to always put alcohol in the boot (rather than the cabin) because that way, problems could never arise. However, the only time you would have to worry about being searched is if the police think you have been drinking and driving, and in that case, you have pretty big problems already...

A couple of points worth noting: In most provinces, you can make a right turn at a red light after you come to a full stop, and everyone else will expect you to do that. Also, you can generally safely exceed the speed limit by about 8 MPH, but past that, the police consider you to be fair game.

Michael

 

[Commuter]

Lack of Police

One thing I have noticed in Canada is there is a lot less police seen, apart from at the local Coffee shop

I travelled 2000 miles in Canada 2 weeks ago and saw only 3 police cars in that time. I travelled 20mph over the speed limit and cars still came past me.

I guest there is alot of open space and not as many police.....now come into the great USA and watch yourself, they are EVERYWHERE.

Enjoy your trip.

Nick