Destinations / Canada
Driving in Canada as a visitor
Often optional, depending on your licence and rental company. Visitors can usually drive on a valid foreign licence; an IDP is recommended if your licence is not in English or French.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Canada expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva |
| Valid for | 1 year |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Top speed limit | 100–110 km/h highways by province |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Check the desk policy for your issuing country and licence script. A translation accompanies the licence and never replaces an official permit. |
| Booklet format they know | 1949 Geneva |
| Minimum age | 16. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in CAD. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Right of way | Right turn on red permitted unless signed otherwise (except Montreal Island). |
|---|---|
| Tyres | Winter tyres mandatory in Quebec in winter. |
| Seatbelts | Seatbelts mandatory. |
| Alcohol | Alcohol limit 0.08% federally; provinces add warn-range penalties. |
On the road in Canada
At the pump
Petrol is sold by the litre as Regular (87), Mid (89) and Premium (91+ octane), plus diesel; most stations are self-serve and card-friendly, though some require prepay at night. Prices vary by province and include carbon levies.
After a crash
Call 911 for injuries. Report any collision causing injury or damage over the provincial threshold (commonly C$2,000) to police; exchange details, notify the rental company, and in many cities minor crashes are reported at a Collision Reporting Centre rather than at the scene.
Sources: brokerlink.ca · voyage.caaquebec.com · aaainternationaldrivingpermit.com · onthemovecanada.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Canada?
Often optional, depending on your licence and rental company. Visitors can usually drive on a valid foreign licence; an IDP is recommended if your licence is not in English or French.
Which translation format is used for Canada?
Canada uses the 1949 Geneva convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Canada ask for a translation?
Recommended for non-Latin-script licences.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Canada?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in North America
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.