Search car rental in Canada

●     Toronto Pearson Airport car rental - This world class city is the perfect launch point for adventures in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, in addition to being a top-notch destination itself.

 

●     Calgary Airport car rentals - Picking up a Calgary car rental sets you up to visit the internationally praised Banff National Park, and could even have you travelling south across the border to Montana’s awe-inspiring Glacier National Park.

 

●     Montreal Airport car rental - Arriving in Montreal will have you experiencing the wonderfully unique multilingual nature of Quebec from day one, and questing further afield will reveal a host of intriguing cultural treasures.

●     Winnipeg Airport car rental - Known for its dramatic seasonal shifts, with balmy summers and chilly winters, “Winterpeg” is also renowned as the home of the Winnipeg Jets hockey team and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

●     Halifax Airport car rental - A Halifax car rental will allow you to see Canada at its most picturesque - Nova Scotia abounds with quaint seaside towns and gorgeous bays, making this the perfect place for a nicely contained road trip. 

 

●     Car Rental Kelowna Airport - First time visitor or returning to Canada, you don't want to miss the heart of the Okanagan wine region.

●     Car Rental Ottawa Airport - Celebrate the best of Canada's culture as you explore the capital city of Ottawa in a rental car.

 

Canada road rules

Driving in Canada will be a cinch for anyone who knows their way around a vehicle, but it’s still good to be familiar with Canadian road rules. There’s nothing too unusual to watch out for here - drink driving is obviously not allowed, many provinces have ‘distracted driving’ laws which mean that cell phone use (among other things) while driving is prohibited, and traffic lights and stop signs work the same way in Canada as they do all over the world. 

For a more in-depth look at the ins and outs of taking to the road in Canada, take a little time to peruse our Canada driving guide, which will help you get a handle on the finer points of getting behind the wheel in this magnificent country. 

Canada driving tips

Here’s a quick bullet point summary of the things you need to know about driving your car hire in Canada:

●     Like most of the world, Canadians drive on the right hand side of the road, which probably won’t require an adjustment unless you’re a Brit or hail from Down Under. 
●     In keeping with its massive nature, Canada is home to some huge wildlife, so keep a careful eye out while driving to ensure you prevent collisions.
●     Driving in winter can prove tricky, with ice on the road and poor visibility due to unfavourable weather conditions combining to make cautious driving a necessity.
●     Always pay attention to speed limit signs, as limits can vary from province to province.
●     Brits and Americans should note that speed limits are measured and displayed in kilometres, not miles, per hour.

The second biggest country in the world, Canada is a fantastic place to get on the road and explore. Wide open spaces, an excellent highway network and a variety of beautiful landscapes both natural and urban make it the ideal destination for a road trip.

Many visitors take to the roads to explore, sticking largely to the southern extremes of the country where frostbite and getting lost in the wilderness is less of a possibility. Popular routes include a traverse of the Canadian Rockies, small journeys around the British Columbia coast, exploring the Great Lakes and Niagara, the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia and of course, the epic cross-Canada road trip from east to west or vice versa.

If you’re planning to hit the Canadian roads (Jack), you might want to keep these few basic tips at the very front of your mind! Then, read on for more details about keeping safe.

●     Canadians drive on the right, despite being a commonwealth country!
●     Pay attention to speed limit signs.
●     Be extra careful in winter.
●     Keep a lookout for animals.

Canada Road Rules

As in the United States, Canada’s road rules are governed by the individual provinces and territories - that is, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon. However, there are many similarities. We have not gone into the individual differences, but put together a general guide to road rules which will serve you well anywhere in the country.

Speed limits

The best way to know the speed limit for any particular stretch of road is to keep a sharp eye out for signs. Limits are posted in kilometres per hour, as opposed to miles per hour on US roads, so be aware of that if you cross the border. 

Statutory speed limits are set for each province or territory to apply on roads without posted speed limits. With very few exceptions, these are 30kph in school zones, 50 in urban zones, 80-100 in rural zones including highways, and 100-110 on expressways. 120 is the highest limit in the country, allowed on expressways in British Columbia.

Seatbelts

Use of seatbelts is mandatory across the country, with all provinces having enacted primary enforcement seatbelt laws since the first came into effect in Ontario in 1976. These apply to all passengers and drivers aged 16 years of age or older, except in Yukon where it is fifteen or over.

Of course, that does not mean that young teenagers and children can travel unbelted. Separate child restraint laws for each territory or province cover them.

Cellphones and alcohol

It is illegal to talk on cellphones while driving in Canada, so leave all mobile communications to passengers.

It is also illegal to drive in Canada with a blood alcohol level which exceeds 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood (0.8). A related and parallel but more general law makes it a criminal offence to operate a motor vehicle when the driver’s ability to do so is impaired by alcohol or a drug. The penalties for both offences, called DUI and DWI, include suspension of license and fines.

It is impossible to estimate how many drinks will put you over the limit, so we strongly recommend that you do not drink at all when planning to drive.

Drivers’ licenses

The general rule for passing is that it is permitted where lines are broken or dashed. When white lines between lanes are broken, overtaking is allowed, when they are solid it is discouraged. When yellow lines between opposing traffic on a single carriageway (one lane on each side) are broken, passing is allowed in either direction when it is safe. When there is a double yellow line of which one is broken and the other is solid, passing is allowed only on the broken side. A double solid yellow line means no passing.

When there is more than one lane for vehicles travelling in a particular direction, they should keep to the right-hand lanes if driving at less than the normal speed of travel. The left-hand lanes are for fast vehicles and those passing. Some provinces allow undertaking (passing on the right), so be aware that vehicles might pass you on the “wrong” side.

Road signs

It’s pretty hard to keep all the information you require in your head when driving in a new place, and that’s why road signs are so helpful. They serve as visual reminders and warnings - just keep your eyes peeled when on Canadian roads!

One thing to note is that in Quebec, signs are likely to be in French or a combination of French and English.

Prohibitive and permissive regulatory signs

Like with traffic lights, red and green are used in signs to tell drivers where to stop and where to do. STOP/ARRET signs are quite universal, a red octagon with the words in white letters, while YIELD signs are red-edged triangles. Red circles with red bars across a black symbol are easily recognisable as forbidding the pictured action - be it turning in a certain direction, parking, biking or any other action represented by a pictorial symbol. 

Canadian road signs also use green circles to indicate action which are permitted or are the only option. For example, a left arrow in a green circle means “left turn only,” and a pictograph of two adjacent cars in a green circle means “passing is permitted.”

Speed limit signs

Signs prescribing maximum speed limits are black and white, with “MAXIMUM” written at the top and the limit in kilometres per hour written underneath. Occasionally there are plaques attached with further information.

Warning signs

This group of signs are largely black and yellow, generally diamond-shaped although school crossing signs can be rectangular. Warning signs serve to alert drivers to hazards and features of the road which require special attention - these represented by simple pictographs used worldwide. Hazards include narrow roads or bridges, intersections, hidden sideroads, stretches of road which are slippery when wet, steep hills, railway crossings and more.

Black and orange warning signs are of a temporary nature, indicating a temporary road condition. Most commonly, this means construction zones and roadworks.

School zone signs warning that children are around, and often prescribing new speed limits, are bright yellow-green.

Information and direction signs

These green and white signs give a lot of handy information about where you are going and how to get there. They show the way to towns, cities and natural landmarks, and also give distances so you can plan your trip. Arrows are used to indicate exits and intersections, often in conjunction with yellow “EXIT” boxes.

Canadian highway system

The National Highway System is a network of highways and freeways (controlled-access highways) in Canada, with routes found in all Canadian provinces and territories except Nunavut which is without road connections. 

Trans-Canada Highway

The Trans-Canada Highway is the backbone of the network, not a single highway but a system of roads totalling nearly 8,000 kilometres.  It includes the major cross-country routes, in most places comprising two routes running east-west with a detached section in Newfoundland. If you are planning a long road trip in Canada, you are likely to spend some time on the Trans-Canada Highways! 

Numbered highways

The roads of the National Highway System are generally grouped into core, feeder and remote classifications, but these are not distinguished in their titles; all are marked with a number. However, when asking for directions, keep in mind that many locals refer to them by name rather than number - for example, the Trans-Canada Highway 16 in Alberta is called the Yellowhead Highway.

The shields showing highway numbers vary from province to province, as does the system of numbering. 

Service centres and rest stops

The roadside facilities available vary widely between provinces. In Ontario on highways 400 and 401, you’ll find modernised service stations with 24/7 gas pumps, fast food, bathrooms and more. Other parts of the country offer basic rest stops with picnic facilities and sometimes basic bathrooms. Quebec’s “haltes routières and “aires de service” offer drivers a good range of services.

Toll roads

Canada does have its share of toll roads, these found in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. Many of them are in fact bridges, although some roads such as Ontario’s Highway 407 are also tolled. Some toll roads have booths, while others are electronic and read your number plate - it is a good idea to ask your rental company pre or post rental about how you can pay those.

Parking

Parking in Canada, as in any other country, is usually only an issue when it comes to urban areas - otherwise, you can probably find a likely spot in which to park on the side of the road or in a provided lot.

It is illegal to park in front of fire hydrants, on the sidewalk or facing the wrong way on the road. Be very careful parking on the street when it is snowing, as snowploughs require space to do their job. 

Roadside parking

Parking laws change between provinces and territories, but the signage can be recognised nationwide. A black “P” in a red circle with a bar across it means you can’t park there, and a black “P” in a green circle means you can. These will often be used in conjunction with arrows and text specifying where exactly you may or may not park, for how long and at what times during the day.

Snow Routes

There are signs indicating ‘snow routes’ and times at which they are cleared by snow plough. You cannot park here during those times or you will get towed. 

Paid parking

In city centres and downtown areas, paid parking might be your only option, or the most convenient. This might mean a parking meter administered by the city, or a parking building owned and run by a private company. Either way, it’s a good idea to be prepared with coins.

Keeping safe

Emergency numbers

The primary emergency number in Canada is the same as in the US: 911. This is the number to call for situations which require immediate help from the police, fire service or paramedics. For non-emergency situations requiring the police (i.e break ins after the fact), you can look up and call the local police station

Other useful phone numbers: 

Poison Control Centre 1-800-567-8911

Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-800-667-8407

Non-emergency ambulance (nationwide): 727-2400

Driving in winter

Canada is known for very wintery winters, so if you are visiting anywhere between November and March, be prepared for the possibility of tricky driving - especially if you are heading out of the main centres and straying a little bit north!

A “survival kit” is a good idea, and can be relatively easily assembled before you start your road trip. This might include warm clothes, a small shovel, first aid kit, candles, hi-vis vest, water and snack food. Ask your rental company about winter tire options, if they do not come standard with winter rentals. Drive slowly, brake before you turn to avoid skidding, and keep your lights on even during the day. Canadians often add a bit of weight to their trunk or truck bed to keep it more stable on slippery roads. Sandbags are dual purpose because if you get stuck in the snow, you can use them to put under the tires to get out. 

Animals

In the more remote areas of Canada, and in places like the Canadian Rockies, wildlife collisions on the road are a concern, both for human drivers and the animals which are so often killed. Deer are most commonly involved, with other animals occasionally hit on the roads including elk, moose, bears and coyotes.

Drivers should pay close attention to warning signs which indicate a higher risk of animal collisions - and take extra care when near a source of water. Dusk and dawn are high animal traffic times. To reduce the risk, respect the speed limit, slow down when visibility is low and stay alert and prepared to brake if necessary. In short, drive defensively and keep your eyes peeled. For smaller animals, it is safer not to swerve. For a big animal like a moose, swerving is likely the better option - and when collision is inevitable, get as low as possible in case the animal ends up on the roof of the car. 

Travel information

It’s always a good idea to do some research before you go. Here are our picks of helpful websites which might prove useful in planning a Canada car rental road trip:
●     Lonely Planet’s Canada section
●     Destination Canada’s official site
●     Ontario Travel
●     Hello BC
●     Quebec Original
●     Tourism New Brunswick
●     NovaScotia.com
●     Tourism Prince Edward Island
●     Travel Alberta
●     Tourism Saskatchewan
●     Travel Manitoba
●     NewfoundlandLabrador.com
●     Travel Yukon
●     Spectacular Northwest Territories
●     Airport Rentals Canada Car Rental

General Disclaimer

This information is provided on a 'best intentions' basis. While we do our best to ensure the information is error free, we do not warrant its accuracy or adequacy for any intended purpose.

Are you dreaming of wide open spaces and country landscapes? Arrange a one-way car rental to Thunder Bay from Calgary and you can traverse the prairie provinces. We recommend popping up to Edmonton first before hitting the Yellowhead Highway through Saskatoon and Winnipeg, then to Thunder Bay on Lake Superior. The total driving time is less than 25 hours, working out to an average of just over three and a half hours per day. This leaves a lot of time to spend in any place that catches your fancy along the way- and with this kind of trip, there will be days where you are happy to stay on the road for a lot longer to maximise your time!

Picking up your rental car in Toronto presents plenty of options. Why not make for the east coast? We suggest a quick detour to the stunning Niagara Falls before heading to Montreal, where you can join the Trans-Canada Highway alongside the Saint-Laurent. Drive your rental car through Moncton and Fredericton in New Brunswick and finish the trip in the lovely Halifax, Nova Scotia. A total driving time of around 20 hours means less than 3 hours each day spent underway. There will be plenty of places to stop and spend time along the route!

Are you inspired to start planning your Canada car rental holiday? Airport Rentals makes it easy. Now you know how far you can go, just enter the details of your trip into the simple search engine and hunt down the perfect car hire! Happy travelling!