Guide to Driving In Canada - Drive Safe in Canada

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Canada and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

80 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

100-120 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 50-80mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Canada on the Right side  
urban
The currency in Canada is CAD
urban
To rent a car is  21 years and to drive is 16 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Canada 1.15 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Canada

Driving in Canada
Pocket guide to driving in Canada
Profile:
Canada
Ottawa
CAD
Driving in Canada
SPEED: (kph)
50
80
100-120
Speed limit in Canada
Holiday:
Rush hour in Canada
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Canada
FUEL:
1.15
1.17
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Canada
See Fuel Price in Canada for full statistics
MIN AGE:
16
21
Min driving age in Canada
DRINK:
50-80mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Canada
EMERGENCY:
911
Emergency phone number in Canada
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Canada
PHONES:
No
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Canada
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Canada
See here for current child seats law in Canada

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Canada?

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. 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. 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.

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 911

Police Fire: 911

Police Ambulance: 911

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.17

€ 1.15

Jan , 2024

€ 1.14

€ 1.12

Dec , 2023

€ 1.19

€ 1.13

Nov , 2023

€ 1.24

€ 1.14

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking is quite straightforward in Canada. Almost everywhere you can only     
park in the direction of the traffic. In narrow streets you can only park on one side of the road. In winter some streets ban parking altogether to allow for snow ploughs. 
 
Paid parking
 
Paid parking can be by meter at the side of the road, ticket machine or by parking attendant at a public parking lot. Clear signage saying where you can and cannot park is found in almost all streets. 
 
Enforcement
 
Enforcement of parking is usually done by the police and you can be towed away if you cause an obstruction. You'll receive a parking ticket indicating a fine.
 
Disabled parking
 
Canada is excellent for parking facilities for blue badge holders. Not only can you park in convenient wider parking spots but often parking is free. Attendants will do all they can to ease your day.

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 911

Police Fire: 911

Police Ambulance: 911

The emergency number in Canada is the same as in the US, 911 for the police, fire and ambulance.

What to do in an emergency

If you are involved in an accident, minor damage can be dealt with between insurance companies. If there is major damage or if someone is hurt, you must call the emergency services. If possible, garner witnesses and take photographs of the scene. You will be dealt with fairly and should be given a copy of the police report which a car rental company will need. 

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

I have broken down - Ma voiture a décomposé 
 
Where is the police station? - Où est le poste de police? 
 
I have a flat tyre - J'ai un pneu à plat 
 
I have been in an accident - J'ai été dans un accident 
 
Where is? - Où est? 
 
Where can I buy petrol? - Où puis-je acheter de l'essence?

Canada Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.17

€ 1.15

Jan , 2024

€ 1.14

€ 1.12

Dec , 2023

€ 1.19

€ 1.13

Nov , 2023

€ 1.24

€ 1.14

Oct , 2023

€ 1.33

€ 1.29

Sep , 2023

€ 1.36

€ 1.34

Aug , 2023

€ 1.20

€ 1.29

Jul , 2023

€ 1.07

€ 1.23

Jun , 2023

€ 1.05

€ 1.26

May , 2023

€ 1.06

€ 1.20

Apr , 2023

€ 1.13

€ 1.17

Mar , 2023

€ 1.19

€ 1.17

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Feb , 2024 1.17 1.15
Jan , 2024 1.14 1.12
Dec , 2023 1.19 1.13
Nov , 2023 1.24 1.14
Oct , 2023 1.33 1.29
Sep , 2023 1.36 1.34
Aug , 2023 1.20 1.29
Jul , 2023 1.07 1.23
Jun , 2023 1.05 1.26
May , 2023 1.06 1.20
Apr , 2023 1.13 1.17
Mar , 2023 1.19 1.17

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Canada and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Chloe Demaret
Posted by Chloe Demaret
About the Author -

Travel writer, social media guru, Chloe keeps our readers and customers up to speed with all the car rental and travel trends on our blog. Favourite destination: Dubai.

Visitor Comments

  • 14/11/2018

    Elyse

    Are there any safety items required to have in the car at all time?
  • 02/11/2018

    me

    Radar detectors are legal in Alberta
  • 02/11/2018

    Mike Mcclintock

    Is it legal to pass a car in the turning lane if they are too slow ?
  • 02/11/2018

    Lise Boisvert

    At crossings and corners pedestrians have the right of way. What if the car has a green traffic light and the pedestrian has the Red Hand and cars have the red traffic light.
  • 02/11/2018

    Robert Cumming

    Toll roads. Not mentioned is the Ontario 407 toll road bypassing Toronto. Should have transponder,can be very expensive. Photos of license plate virtually guarantees a toll will apply to owner of vehicle.
  • 02/11/2018

    Mike Macdonald

    The photo is so nova scotia
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