Canada Driving Information

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DRIVING DISTANCES IN CANADA

• Calgary to Banff - 130 kms (1 hr/ 20 mins)
• Montreal to Quebec City - 255 kms (2hrs / 50 mins)
• Toronto to Niagara Falls - 130 kms (1hr / 30 mins)
• Vancouver to Seattle, USA - 225 kms (2hrs / 30 mins)

LICENCE REQUIREMENTS

A full valid driver's licence is required for a minimum of 1 year. An International Drivers Licence is recommended for Australian drivers licence holders.

AGE RESTRICTIONS

Generally the minimum age is 21 years, but can vary between the car hire company and location. Maximum age limits apply in some locations, a young/senior driver surcharge may apply. Please check terms & conditions when making an enquiry or booking.

RULES, LAWS AND REGULATIONS

General driving rules, laws and regulations in Canada;

• Vehicles drive on the right hand side of the road.
• Pass others on the left hand side of the road.
• Always give way to pedestrians on pedestrian crossings.
• All occupants in a vehicle must wear a seat belt.
• Mobile Phones are not permitted while driving, with the exception of a hands-free system.
• Always use indicator lights when turning.
• Radar detectors are prohibited.
• Drivers are to carry at all times while driving: a valid drivers licence, registration documents and insurance documents.

EQUIPMENT

Whilst there are no laws regarding equipment you must carry with you in the vehicle; it is important to make sure you are prepared for whatever driving conditions you may endure.

CHILD SAFETY SEATS

Children weighing 9kg or less are required to use a rear-facing car seat, children weighing 9-18kg must use a forward-facing child seat and children weighing 18-36kg and with a height of up to 145cm must use a booster seat.

SPEED LIMITS

Frequent speed checks are carried out by authorities in Canada using radars, speed traps and speed cameras to ensure speeds are obeyed by motorists. Below are the speed limits in Canada, unless signed otherwise;

• Urban Areas (built up areas): 50km/h
• Rural Roads (outside towns): 60-80km/h
• Motorways: 80-100km/h

DRINK DRIVING

Penalties for DWI (Driving While Impaired) is a criminal offence in Canada, heavy penalties apply to drivers found to be over the allowable prescribed limit of 0.08mg per 100ml of blood.

TOLLS

There are only a few road tolls payable on bridges and highways. The Highway 407ETR (Express Toll Route) is one toll road in Canada that is fully electronic (no toll booths), hence the name 'Express Toll Route' (ETR). The 407ETR uses an overhead gantry which automatically collects your licence plate details, vehicle type and transponder details using a number of cameras and detectors. This will occur during entry and exit of the Highway, therefore the cost of your trip will then be determined on the distance travelled, time of the day, vehicle class and if a valid transponder was used. Rental vehicles that fail to pay the applicable toll, the supplier of the vehicle will forward the toll notice/invoice to the hirer.

ROAD SIGNS

Road signs in Canada and in the USA are very much alike but do not recognise the standards used in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) adhered to within the USA. Canadian road signs are very much independent taking on unique differences such as shapes, colours, typefaces or arrows.

• Regulatory Signs give directions which road users must obey. These signs are mainly rectangular or square in shape with a white or black background and black, white or coloured letters. They will also have a circle or square type coloured border, green meaning that the activity inside the border may or must be obeyed. A red circle border with a line through means the activity shown is not allowed. Signs will include no parking, non-permitted directions, or keep right.
• High Occupancy Vehicle Signs (HOV), Lanes that have HOV marked along a lane and posted on the road sign allow public vehicles such as buses or passenger vehicles with a specified minimum number of passengers to use this lane.
• Warning Signs warn road users of any potential danger, changes in road conditions or hazards ahead. Shapes are commonly diamond shaped, coloured in either yellow or fluorescent yellow and with the exception of a few signs that have a square or rectangular shape.
• Temporary Condition Signs warn road users of temporary conditions along the road, such as constructions, lane closures, detours or traffic control officers. These signs are diamond shaped with an orange background and black text or symbols.
• Information Signs provide road users with distances, street names, directions, attractions or facilities. They are generally found with a green background with white text, but depending on the information being provided colours and shapes will vary.

PARKING

Parking in most cities within Canada operate using parking meters and bay numbers. No tickets are issued, therefore parking is paid at a near-by parking meter, select your bay number the vehicle is parked in and insert coins or in some machines credit cards are accepted. Although some cities and towns in Canada still operate using the pay-n-display system.

VISA INFORMATION

Visa, passport and entry requirements for Australians visiting Canada;

• No visa is required for Australian passport holders visiting Canada for tourism or business reasons (not employment) to a maximum stay of 6 months. Contact the Consulate General of Canada in Sydney for additional information regarding visas and entry requirements.
• A valid passport is required.
• A return/onward travel ticket/itinerary is required.

WINTER DRIVING

Safe driving is always important, but being on the road during winter warrants extra precautions. Stay alert, slow down, and stay in control -- the three key elements of safe winter driving. Drive according to highway and weather conditions. Maintain a safe following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to avoid situations where you may have to brake suddenly.