Driving in Canada

[raymondfl]

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

[bob_nestor]

Jagtech wrote:
Your license issued by the State of FL, or any other state, is sufficient for travel anywhere in Canada. You are required to have proof of insurance. But don't worry about the license, you are fine. Believe me, we have drivers coming here from many countries that are much less qualified, some of whom have only operated 2-wheeled vehicles with bamboo spokes.....

There are some (one?) official Canadian web site(s) that indicates you need a Canadian Proof of Insurance for a US licensed vehicle driven in Canada. Most US insurance companies are aware of this and can issue this to you which shows that your US insurance is good in Canada. I got one for my trip this summer, but nobody in Canada ever asked for it. Don't know if it's still or really is a requirement, but it wasn't much of a hassle to obtain.

[Grey_Mountain]

Don't forget to put metric air in your tires.
And the speed limit sign that says "100" is referring to kilometers per hour, not miles per hour. That's 62mph.

Enjoy Canada. Beautiful place, beautiful people.

GM

[Jagtech]

Your license issued by the State of FL, or any other state, is sufficient for travel anywhere in Canada. You are required to have proof of insurance. But don't worry about the license, you are fine. Believe me, we have drivers coming here from many countries that are much less qualified, some of whom have only operated 2-wheeled vehicles with bamboo spokes.....

[Gruffy]

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.

[Racefan1]

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.

[v10superduty]

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

[garyhaupt]

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

[wilber1]

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,

[Gruffy]

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.

[JohnnyT]

Moved from class A forum

[Jagtech]

....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?

[katoomer]

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!

[noteven]

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!'

[John___Angela]

Yep. Don't worry about an air ticket if you don't need one in where you are from. Depending on the province (BC) they can be sticky on overweight issues (truck campers etc) and triple tow in provinces that don't allow it. Other than that you are good to go. Hope you enjoy your trip.