Valid driving licence
RequiredUK or EU photocard licence is accepted for short visits (up to 3-6 months depending on province); carry it at all times when driving.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Canada
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Canada: 10 legal requirements + 7 other things worth knowing.
10
Required
3
Recommended
4
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Canada
10 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Valid driving licence
UK or EU photocard licence is accepted for short visits (up to 3-6 months depending on province); carry it at all times when driving.
Passport and ArriveCAN if requested
Bring a passport valid for the duration of stay; eTA is required for visa-exempt air arrivals but not for land crossings from the US.
Vehicle insurance proof
Minimum third-party liability is CAD 200,000 (CAD 50,000 in Quebec); rental insurance is usually bundled, and own-vehicle imports need a Canadian Non-Resident Inter-Provincial Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card.
Drive on the right
Canada drives on the right with left-hand-drive vehicles; overtake on the left.
Speed limits in km/h
Typically 100-110 km/h on highways (120 on some Ontario/BC stretches), 80 km/h rural, and 50 km/h urban unless signed otherwise.
BAC limit 0.08 (0.05 warning)
Criminal limit is 0.08 g/100ml, but most provinces impose immediate licence suspensions at 0.05; zero tolerance for drivers under 22 or with under 5 years' experience.
Right turn on red allowed (except Montreal)
You may turn right on a red light after a full stop everywhere except on the island of Montreal and where signs prohibit it.
Stop for school buses with flashing red lights
All traffic in both directions must stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended (except on divided highways with a median).
Winter tyres mandatory in Quebec and parts of BC
Quebec requires winter tyres 1 December to 15 March; designated BC highways require M+S or 3PMSF tyres 1 October to 30 April with fines up to CAD 121.
Seatbelts and handheld phone ban
Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants and handheld phone use while driving carries fines of CAD 300-1,000 plus demerit points in every province.
Documents
1949 International Driving Permit
RecommendedAn IDP under the 1949 Geneva Convention is recommended alongside your home licence, especially for car rentals and if your licence is not in English or French.
AA IDP infoPassport and ArriveCAN if requested
RequiredBring a passport valid for the duration of stay; eTA is required for visa-exempt air arrivals but not for land crossings from the US.
Vehicle insurance proof
RequiredMinimum third-party liability is CAD 200,000 (CAD 50,000 in Quebec); rental insurance is usually bundled, and own-vehicle imports need a Canadian Non-Resident Inter-Provincial Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card.
Driving rules
Drive on the right
RequiredCanada drives on the right with left-hand-drive vehicles; overtake on the left.
Speed limits in km/h
RequiredTypically 100-110 km/h on highways (120 on some Ontario/BC stretches), 80 km/h rural, and 50 km/h urban unless signed otherwise.
BAC limit 0.08 (0.05 warning)
RequiredCriminal limit is 0.08 g/100ml, but most provinces impose immediate licence suspensions at 0.05; zero tolerance for drivers under 22 or with under 5 years' experience.
Right turn on red allowed (except Montreal)
RequiredYou may turn right on a red light after a full stop everywhere except on the island of Montreal and where signs prohibit it.
Stop for school buses with flashing red lights
RequiredAll traffic in both directions must stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended (except on divided highways with a median).
Seatbelts and handheld phone ban
RequiredSeatbelts are mandatory for all occupants and handheld phone use while driving carries fines of CAD 300-1,000 plus demerit points in every province.
Emergency number 911
Good to knowDial 911 for police, fire or ambulance; *OPP (*677) reports highway incidents in Ontario, and dial 511 for road and weather conditions in most provinces.
Tolls
Few toll roads, mostly free-flow
Good to knowMost highways are free; key tolls include Ontario's Highway 407 ETR (plate-read, ~CAD 0.30-0.60/km plus a CAD 4.20 video fee), Nova Scotia's Cobequid Pass (~CAD 4), and several bridges in Quebec and BC.
Environment
Winter tyres mandatory in Quebec and parts of BC
RequiredQuebec requires winter tyres 1 December to 15 March; designated BC highways require M+S or 3PMSF tyres 1 October to 30 April with fines up to CAD 121.
Mountain passes and remote routes
RecommendedCarry chains, blankets, food and a full tank when driving Rockies passes, the Trans-Labrador Highway or northern routes in winter; check DriveBC or 511 services before departure.
Required equipment
Emergency kit in winter
RecommendedNo specific items are legally mandated nationwide, but RCMP and CAA recommend a shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, hi-vis vest, warning triangle, blanket and flashlight, especially November to April.
Emissions / low-emission zones
No low-emission zones
Good to knowCanada has no LEZ-style city restrictions or emissions stickers; older or diesel vehicles can enter all city centres freely.
Money
Currency, fuel and cash limits
Good to knowCurrency is the Canadian dollar (CAD); petrol averages around CAD 1.60/litre (~EUR 1.10), cards are accepted virtually everywhere, and amounts of CAD 10,000+ must be declared at the border.
Plan your Canada road trip
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Start planning →Popular destinations in Canada
Places to add to your Canada road trip.
Don't get caught out
Watch out for these
Drive on the right
RequiredCanada drives on the right with left-hand-drive vehicles; overtake on the left.
Speed limits in km/h
RequiredTypically 100-110 km/h on highways (120 on some Ontario/BC stretches), 80 km/h rural, and 50 km/h urban unless signed otherwise.
BAC limit 0.08 (0.05 warning)
RequiredCriminal limit is 0.08 g/100ml, but most provinces impose immediate licence suspensions at 0.05; zero tolerance for drivers under 22 or with under 5 years' experience.
Right turn on red allowed (except Montreal)
RequiredYou may turn right on a red light after a full stop everywhere except on the island of Montreal and where signs prohibit it.
Stop for school buses with flashing red lights
RequiredAll traffic in both directions must stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended (except on divided highways with a median).
Seatbelts and handheld phone ban
RequiredSeatbelts are mandatory for all occupants and handheld phone use while driving carries fines of CAD 300-1,000 plus demerit points in every province.