Driving is on the right with overtaking on the left. Some driving advice varies slightly from province to province. As Canada is a vast country you should always plan your routes and know where you are going to rest and refuel. Fatigue is one of the main causes of accidents in Canada. Headlights should be used whenever it is dark which can be during the day as well. Canada has some spectacular wildlife but you don't want to run into a moose or an elk on the road when you are driving so stay vigilant.
There are some rules of the road to follow. You must not try and overtake a school bus which has flashing red lights. It is illegal to drive while talking on a mobile phone. If the police stop you for any offence, remain seated in your car and switch the engine off. If you are fined never attempt to bribe the police officer or pay the fine to him as this is a very serious offence. If a police car or ambulance is behind you, give way to them by pulling over to the side of the road. In Quebec and Montreal city it is illegal to turn right on a red light, but not in the rest of the country. Canada operates the four way intersections where cars have right of way according to who arrives at the intersection first. In the province of British Columbia a flashing green light means you can go. In winter snow removal vehicles will have flashing blue lights. It is legal to pass them, otherwise stay far back. At crosswalks and corners pedestrians have the right of way.
If you are driving from Canada to America there are quite a few border requirements that you need to know about which are outlined here http://www.dmv.org/driving-abroad/canada.php.
Canadians really do live up to their reputation for being friendly and helpful so if you get into a jam the best thing to do is ask for help.
Do not move your car, unless it is in a dangerous position which might lead to another accident, and wait for the police to arrive. You can call them on 911. In the meantime swap insurance information and addresses with the other driver. If you have a camera handy take pictures of the accident for police and insurance purposes. You should give a copy of the police report to your insurance company.
All passengers must wear seatbelts and children who weight less than 40 pounds must sit in child seats. Child seats must match the standards of the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards organisation. You can be fined up to $500 for not wearing your seat belt.
Motorways are marked by a green background. Other signs use symbols similar to those used in the United Kingdom. Signs are in French in the French speaking area of Quebec.
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Prices can be between C$1.20 - C$1.45 per litre which is US$3.65 - US$4.50 per gallon. For current gas prices in Canada province by province visit http://www.gasbuddy.com.
The drinking limit is 0.08%. Some provinces have 0.05% however. Stay on the safe side as a foreigner exceeding this limit could be deported.
You need to have your driving licence, your passport, some proof of insurance (including third party fire and liability insurance) and your vehicle registration information.
Yes you can and international driver's permits are not required.
Pavement – Sidewalk
Crossroads – Intersection
Diamond lanes – To be used by buses, taxis and bicycles
Most of the Bridges which go to America are toll roads. In the Greater Toronto area there is a modern toll road on highway 407 which reads information from your vehicle by a sensor, rather than having a toll collection booth. The bill is then sent to your address or rental company. On the Trans Canada Highway between Debert and Oxford in Nova Scotia there is also a Canadian toll road. There are quite a few toll roads in Ontario and these are expensive so you may want to work our ways to avoid them.
50 kilometres per hour in built up areas and 80 kilometres per hour on highways. Open rural roads may have a 100 kilometres per hour speed limit and the limits are enforced by speed guns and radar traps. Having a radar detector is illegal and you will be fined and have it confiscated if you have one in your car.
The conversion from kilometres to miles per hour is one kilometre = 0.62 miles per hour. Therefore the speed in built up areas is 31 miles per hour.
To drive in Canada you need to be16 years old, though rental companies require you to be over 21 years of age with a minimum of one year's driving experience. There is a young driver surcharge for those between 21-24 years of age. If you are between 21-24 you may not be permitted to drive certain types of vehicles.
The emergency services number is 911.
It is illegal to park in front of fire hydrants and signs that show no parking in front of fire routes. A sign with a P in a red, crossed-out circle means no parking. An octagon in a red, crossed-out circle means no stopping. Disabled parking spaces are only reserved for those who have a permit. Cars should not be parked overhanging the sidewalk or less than nine metres from an intersection. Cars should not be parked on a street during a snow storm or the wrong way facing traffic.