Tourists’ guide to driving and car insurance in Canada

As a tourist, you can drive with a valid international driver’s licence during short visits (depending on where in Canada you’re visiting, this timeframe could be for up to 60 or 90 days). This will likely give you enough time to explore the area you’re visiting before you head back home.

But if you’re planning on a longer visit, you should consider getting an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) from your home country prior to your trip to Canada, as an IDP can extend your ability to drive legally beyond this initial grace period. Even for shorter visits, an IDP can be handy to have since it's designed to present your driving credentials so they can be read and understood internationally. Be sure, however, to check that your IDP is up-to-date, as it’s only valid for a year after its date of issue.

Every province and territory in Canada enforces the same basic traffic rules, such as obeying traffic lights and stop signs, not driving while distracted, wearing a seatbelt, and not exceeding the speed limit. These laws help keep the roads safe for everyone, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

However, specifics such as speed limits (how fast you’re permitted to drive) and the penalties for traffic violations can vary depending on what province or territory you’re driving in. So, for example, the fine for a speeding ticket might be higher in one province compared to another.

To make sure you're always following the law, it's a good idea to look up or ask about the local traffic rules of the places you plan to visit during your stay in Canada. This helps you to stay informed so you can drive responsibly and safely during your visit.

Canada is a vast country, spanning 5,514 km from east to west and 4,634 km from north to south.¹ This means road conditions can vary greatly from one region to another, and from season to season. For example, in the summer, you might face heavy rainfall or fog, while in the winter, snow or freezing rain can make roads slippery and challenging to navigate.

So, it’s probably no surprise that you could find yourself driving in a variety of weather conditions during your visit here. These conditions can change quickly, too, especially during the winter months. For a smooth and safe experience on the road, be sure to check the weather forecast regularly, and be prepared to adjust your driving to match the conditions.

If you’re planning to drive during your visit, you’ll want to make sure you have adequate insurance. You'll likely be renting a car from a car rental agency, so one common insurance option is rental car insurance, which you can obtain directly from the rental agency providing you with your rental car. This insurance typically provides coverage for liability and physical damage, including theft of the vehicle.

You can also check with your car insurance provider back home, to see if you can extend your policy coverage to cover your visit to Canada or purchase add-on coverage specifically for your trip. Your travel insurance might also offer optional coverage for rental cars. If either of these options are available, you may find them to be more cost-effective.

It's not a possibility anyone wants to think about (especially while they're on vacation!), but as we all know, accidents can happen anywhere, anytime—and unfortunately, that includes during holiday travels.

So, it's always good to be prepared. Here's what you'll need to do if you're involved in a car accident during your visit here:

• Check for injuries. The first thing you should do is make sure everyone involved in the accident is okay. Call 911 right away if anyone is hurt, a cyclist or a pedestrian is involved, or there's evidence of a criminal act (for example, impaired driving). 911 is the number for emergency services across all of Canada.
• Stay calm. Accidents, both minor and major, can be high-stress situations, so take a moment to take a deep breath and stay calm.
• Stay safe. If at all possible, clear the road by moving the vehicles involved to a safer area. Have the people involved move to a safe spot as well. Avoid standing on the road or too close to busy traffic areas.
• Exchange info. Share driver's licence, contact, and insurance details with the other driver(s) involved in the accident.
• Take photos. Use your phone to take photos of the accident scene, any damage to the vehicles involved, and any injuries.
• Obtain witness info. If there are any witnesses, exchange name and contact details with them, in case the police need this information.
• Document everything. In addition to photos and witness details, record information such as the location of the accident, and the details about the other cars involved, such as the year, make, model, and colour.
• Report the accident. Each province has specific criteria for when an accident must be reported to the police. But if you're unsure if you need to report, it's a good idea to call the police to report the accident regardless.
• Notify your rental car agency. If you're driving a rental, call the rental agency to let them know your rental has been involved in an accident.
• Contact your insurance provider. Get in touch with your insurance provider to report the accident. They should be able to give you advice on your next steps. (If you're driving a rental, your insurance provider will likely be the rental agency.)

¹https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-402-x/2012000/chap/geo/geo-eng.htm