We are going to Canada next summer and stay around three months. At our weekly get together Friday, I was talking to someone from Canada and he said great we will really enjoy the country. And then he said make sure you have a CDL license because in Canada they require a special license for anything in excess of a certain weight, of which we would be. I have driven in Canada before, but never been stopped or in a wreck, my major concern would be a wreck, not have the proper license and have a liability issue. Does anyone know for sure that Americans would need a special license or does Canada accept our license as legal if it is legal in the USA?Thanks for any help.Ray

If you're legal in in the US, you'll be legal in Canada. Those Canadian licensing requirements are for Canadians.

For an RV the only endorsement required in most provinces is an air brake endorsement in the event the RV has air brakes. That endorsement requirement is also very common in the US. I don't know about reciprocity in the event the endorsement is NOT required by the pertinent US authority. That will again be determined in accordance with the laws of the relevant province(s). Auto slack adjusters do NOT exempt one from the endorsement requirement. A little research from an authoritative resource will answer your question. It wasn't long ago there was a thread here in which it was postulated that propane must be shut off before crossing the border. That idea was quickly debunked!

If you are legal in your home state your license is reciprocal to Canada.canada.usembassy.gov/...canada/dri...United States Ambassador to Canadaby US Embassy - ?2010U.S. driver's licenses are valid in Canada. Proof of auto insurance is required. U.S. auto insurance is accepted as long as an individual is a tourist in Canada. http://canada.usembassy.gov/traveling_to_canada/driving-in-canada.html

Also RV.net towards the bottom of the forum list is a GREAT source of information for those heading to Canada.RV.net - RVing in Canada and Alaska

We went to Alaska this summer with a caravan of 20 other coaches, several of which were 43 & 45 foot coaches. I never herd of such a law. When going thru customs have your passport ready to hand to the official, be honest with them and only answer their questions, nothing more. They will probably ask about your destination, if you have weapons, how much alcohol, how long in country etc. Be sure if you have pets that their vaccinations are up to date. Have a great time.

Driving in Canada | Good Sam Community

noteven
Explorer III
Nov 24, 2014
IF you get stopped by an enforcement officer you can impress her or him with knowledge of driving in Canada by saying something like:

"Officer, did you know in a recent survey in Canada, 98% of drivers say 'Oh s***!' when they are about to hit the ditch. The other 2% live in Saskatchewan and say 'Hold my beer and watch this!'
katoomer
Explorer
Nov 24, 2014
06Fargo wrote:
IF you get stopped by an enforcement officer you can impress her or him with knowledge of driving in Canada by saying something like:

"Officer, did you know in a recent survey in Canada, 98% of drivers say 'Oh s***!' when they are about to hit the ditch. The other 2% live in Saskatchewan and say 'Hold my beer and watch this!'

Good one!
Jagtech
Explorer
Nov 24, 2014
....and you are aware that we drive on the left, eh? :B

We welcome you to Canada, you'll love your time here! What part of Canada will you be visiting?
JohnnyT
Explorer II
Nov 24, 2014
Moved from class A forum
Gruffy
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
Well, you don't tell us your rig or gross weight. If your under 10,000 lbs you don't need a CDL. Yes, there is reciprocity.... if your legal at home you'll be legal in most provinces. However.....

Customs will not check your weight or licence when you enter Canada.... they are not highway enforcement/MTO.

You may be stopped and checked on the road by the local Ministry Of Transportation people.

If you are in an accident and are overweight or under licensed, the insurance companies will come after your and fry your assets.
wilber1
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
As far as licensing goes, if you are legal where you live, you will be legal in Canada. The over 4600KG trailer towing endorsement in BC is an endorsement to a BC license. If you don't have a BC license, there is no way to get it,
garyhaupt
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
It has been mentioned in this thread but I think it's worth saying it again in view of the comments..'if it's okay where you live, it's okay in other places too'...and I think that is accurate, however...for those that double tow, in BC, for certain, that is NOT allowed. And yes, there are those souls that have gotten a goodly number of miles into the province only to get pulled over and forced to drop one of the towes and make other arrangements.

You can double tow in Alberta.

http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType41/Production/recvehtowguide.pdf

Gary Haupt
v10superduty
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
raymondfl wrote:
We are going to Canada next summer and stay around three months. At our weekly get together Friday, I was talking to someone from Canada and he said great we will really enjoy the country. And then he said make sure you have a CDL license because in Canada they require a special license for anything in excess of a certain weight, of which we would be. I have driven in Canada before, but never been stopped or in a wreck, my major concern would be a wreck, not have the proper license and have a liability issue. Does anyone know for sure that Americans would need a special license or does Canada accept our license as legal if it is legal in the USA?
Thanks for any help.
Ray

As far as I know, I can legally drive a motorhome with just my regular auto/motorcycle drivers license here in Ontario. I think they recently changed something on heavy trailers but I believe a reg lic is fine for towing RVs and Boats. Enclosed or flat utility trailers over a certain weight may now require commercial type lic.
But in any case unless they caught you driving a huge semi for pay with an inadequate licence from your home state, you will be fine. If you are legal in your state you are OK with us in Canada. :B
Enjoy..

And not knowing who the Canadian is you were talking to, I expect he says lots of things that are inaccurate? He seems like that kinda guy :W
Racefan1
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
I just called my brother in reference to your inquiry. He is a highway enforcement officer (DOT IN THE US) Your licence is fine in every province and territory. He did say that he thinks that everybody with air brakes on their RV should be required to have an air brake endorcment, but none is required. Welcome to our country. Don't miss the east coast.(New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia) The land of friendly people, fantastic beer, and the best lobster - fresh off the boats.
Gruffy
Explorer
Nov 26, 2014
v10superduty wrote:
raymondfl wrote:
We are going to Canada next summer and stay around three months. At our weekly get together Friday, I was talking to someone from Canada and he said great we will really enjoy the country. And then he said make sure you have a CDL license because in Canada they require a special license for anything in excess of a certain weight, of which we would be. I have driven in Canada before, but never been stopped or in a wreck, my major concern would be a wreck, not have the proper license and have a liability issue. Does anyone know for sure that Americans would need a special license or does Canada accept our license as legal if it is legal in the USA?
Thanks for any help.
Ray

As far as I know, I can legally drive a motorhome with just my regular auto/motorcycle drivers license here in Ontario. I think they recently changed something on heavy trailers but I believe a reg lic is fine for towing RVs and Boats. Enclosed or flat utility trailers over a certain weight may now require commercial type lic.
But in any case unless they caught you driving a huge semi for pay with an inadequate licence from your home state, you will be fine. If you are legal in your state you are OK with us in Canada. :B
Enjoy..

And not knowing who the Canadian is you were talking to, I expect he says lots of things that are inaccurate? He seems like that kinda guy :W

In Ontario you can drive Automobile max 11,000kg or tow 4,600kg on a regular drivers license. Read the fine print on the back. Know the GVW of that motor home and have your air brake endorsement before you leave home.