Canadian Laws and Safety

Driver's License

It is illegal to drive without a valid driver's licence in Canada. You must prove your driving skills by passing tests provided by each province or territory.

As a newcomer to Canada:

• Your foreign driver's licence will be valid for a few months.
• Regulations for licensing newcomers vary according to province or territory.
• In some provinces or territories, you may have to pass a Canadian driving test to get a new licence. This may include both a road test and paper test on the rules of the road.
• Some provinces/territories use graduated licensing. Graduated licensing restricts the driving time for new drivers. As they gain more experience, new drivers are granted more freedom to drive.
• Studying for the driver's test will teach you the rules for driving in Canada.
• Driving lessons are available from private companies, for a fee. You may want to have a few lessons before you take your test. Look in the Yellow Pages phone book under Driving Instruction.

Your Canadian driver's licence:

• Allows you to drive anywhere in Canada.
• Must be renewed regularly.
• May have a photograph of you on the licence.
• Must be with you whenever you drive.

The cost of obtaining and renewing your licence depends on your driving record and where you live in Canada. People with poor driving records may pay a higher renewal fee.

Vehicle Insurance

It is the law in Canada that you must have vehicle insurance to drive it legally. Insurance gives you financial protection if you are in an accident. Insurance costs are not the same across Canada. Prices are determined by your driving habits and the driving risks in your community.

Speed Limits

• Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour (km/h).
• Speed limits tell drivers the safest speed in good driving conditions during daylight hours.
• If you are caught going over the speed limit you will be given a ticket which will cost you money and/or affect your driving record.
• Tickets for speeding could increase how much you have to pay for your insurance.
• If you are driving at night or during poor weather, you must reduce your speed.

Approximate speed limits across Canada are:

• 100 km/h on major highways such as the Trans-Canada Highway
• 80 km/h on secondary highways
• 60 km/h on busy city roads
• 50 km/h on residential streets or highways passing through small towns
• 30 km/h near schools and playgrounds

Drinking and Driving

Alcohol impairs judgment and reaction time on the road. Drinking alcohol and driving is a serious offence in Canada. You will lose your driver's licence and could go to prison for drinking and driving. Even though a safe limit is allowed, it is best to avoid driving after drinking.

Safety Laws

It is the law in Canada for drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts at all times. You can be fined for not wearing a seatbelt. In some areas, the fine for not wearing a seat belt includes a mark on your driver's licence which may increase your insurance costs.

School Safety

School buses bring children to and from schools.

• School buses have red lights that turn on when the children are getting on or off a bus.
• When the red lights are flashing on a school bus, all other vehicles must stop and wait on both sides of the road.

Emergency Vehicles

Emergency vehicles such as police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks that are responding to emergencies have priority on Canada's roads.

• Emergency vehicles turn on flashing red or blue lights when responding to emergencies.
• Emergency vehicles may use a siren to signal an emergency.
• All drivers must stop and make room for emergency vehicles to pass. If possible, pull over to the right side of the road.

In Case of an Accident

If you have a car accident and need medical help for injuries, call 911 or your local emergency number. Tell the person who answers the phone where you are, what happened, and what you need. If needed, they will send an emergency vehicle(s) to your location.

If you call 911 and need medical help, the police and an emergency vehicle will arrive. You will have to answer police questions about the accident.

Whether or not there are injuries, if your accident involves another person or vehicle, you and the other driver must give each other your:

• Names
• Addresses
• Telephone numbers
• Driver's licence numbers
• Insurance numbers

NEVER leave the scene of an accident, especially if you hit someone, without collecting information about each driver and contacting the police to report the accident.

Related Links

If you plan to travel outside of Canada, check with the immigration office first. More residency information is available from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

For information on regulations about who may enter the United States, see the US Department of State.

Visit the Canada Safety Council website to learn more about automobile safety and driving laws in Canada.