Canada → United Kingdom
Driving in the United Kingdom when you know Canada
Differences first, worst-to-get-wrong first. Rules that match are folded away at the bottom.
What's different (1)
Emergency number
Good to knowCanada · home911Checked 6 Aug 2026
United Kingdom · destination999112 also works and reaches the same service.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Known on one side only (29)
Which side of the road you drive on
Canada · homeNot yet verified
Speed limit on the motorway
Varies by regionCanada · homeNo single national answer:
Ontario100 km/h — about 62 mphPosted on the 400-series freeways; some sections are posted 110.Checked 6 Aug 2026
Québec100 km/h — about 62 mphChecked 6 Aug 2026
Speed limit on country roads
Varies by regionCanada · homeNo single national answer:
Ontario80 km/h — about 50 mphThe default where no limit is posted, outside cities, towns and villages.Checked 6 Aug 2026
Québec90 km/h — about 56 mphChecked 6 Aug 2026
Speed limit in towns and cities
Varies by regionCanada · homeNo single national answer:
Ontario50 km/h — about 31 mphThe default in cities, towns and villages where no limit is posted.Checked 6 Aug 2026
Québec50 km/h — about 31 mphChecked 6 Aug 2026
United Kingdom · destination30 mphEngland and Scotland. Wales uses 20 mph as the default in built-up areas.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Wales20 mphThe default in built-up areas. Some roads are signed back up to 30.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Whether you need an International Driving Permit
Varies by regionCanada · homeNo single national answer:
OntarioNot requiredFor visits under 3 months, a valid licence from your own country is enough. Staying longer needs an International Driving Permit issued at home before you arrive.Checked 6 Aug 2026
United Kingdom · destinationNot requiredA full foreign licence is accepted on its own for visits.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Which side you overtake on
Canada · homeNot yet verified
Speed limit on a dual carriageway
Canada · homeNot yet verified
Speed limit when towing a trailer or caravan
Canada · homeNot yet verified
United Kingdom · destination
- Motorway — 60 mph
- Dual carriageway — 60 mph
- Country roads — 50 mph
Youngest age you may drive
Canada · homeNot yet verified
Holding a phone while driving
Varies by regionCanada · homeNo single national answer:
OntarioNot allowedEven holding the phone is an offence. First conviction from 615 dollars, three demerit points and a 3-day suspension.Checked 6 Aug 2026
United Kingdom · destinationNot allowedApplies to holding any device that can send or receive data, even at a red light.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Turning at a red light
Varies by regionCanada · homeNo single national answer:
QuébecAllowedAfter a complete stop, everywhere in Québec except the whole island of Montréal, where turning right on red is banned — signs mark the island's entry points. 100 to 200 dollar fine and 3 demerit points.Checked 6 Aug 2026
United Kingdom · destinationNot allowedRed means stop for every direction. A separate green arrow is the only exception.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Who must wear a seatbelt
Canada · homeNot yet verified
United Kingdom · destinationEveryone, in every seatA seatbelt must be worn in any seat that has one.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Age below which a child needs a child seat
Canada · homeNot yet verified
United Kingdom · destination12 yearsUntil age 12 or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Height below which a child needs a child seat
Canada · homeNot yet verified
United Kingdom · destination135 cmUntil 135 cm tall or age 12, whichever comes first.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
What the lines and painted kerbs mean
Canada · homeNot yet verified
United Kingdom · destination
- Double yellow line — no parking. No waiting at any time, even without an upright sign.
- Single yellow line — no parking during signed hours. The hours are on nearby time plates, not on the road.
- Double red line — no stopping. Red routes. No stopping at any time.
- Single red line — no stopping. Red routes. Applies during the times shown on nearby signs.
- White zigzag line — no stopping. Marks the approach to a pedestrian crossing.
Winter tyres
Varies by regionCanada · homeNo single national answer:
QuébecRequired between set datesAll vehicles registered in Québec — including rental cars — must have four winter tyres from 1 December to 15 March. Fine 200 to 300 dollars.Checked 6 Aug 2026
British ColumbiaRequired where signs say soOn signed highways — most mountain and interior routes — winter tyres (M+S or mountain-snowflake, 3.5 mm tread minimum) are required from 1 October to 30 April; some routes end 31 March. Police can turn you back and fine you.Checked 6 Aug 2026
How you pay for motorways
Canada · homeNot yet verified
United Kingdom · destination
- Toll booths
- City charges
How long you may drive on your own licence
Varies by regionCanada · homeNo single national answer:
Ontario3 monthsAs a visitor, on your own country's licence.Checked 6 Aug 2026
United Kingdom · destination12 monthsCounted from when you last entered Great Britain.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
When you must switch your headlights on
Canada · homeNot yet verified
United Kingdom · destinationNot requiredHeadlights are required at night and when visibility is seriously reduced.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Hands-free phone calls
Varies by regionCanada · homeNo single national answer:
OntarioAllowedEarpiece, Bluetooth or mounted — touch it only to start or end a call.Checked 6 Aug 2026
United Kingdom · destinationAllowedThe phone must be in a holder or fully hands-free, and must not block your view.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Who has priority at a roundabout
Canada · homeNot yet verified
United Kingdom · destinationTraffic already on the roundabout goes firstGive way to traffic approaching from your right, unless signs say otherwise.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Parking on the pavement
Varies by regionCanada · homeNot yet verified
United Kingdom · destinationNo single national answer:
EnglandAllowedExcept London, where it is banned. Discouraged everywhere, and obstructing the pavement can be fined.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
WalesAllowedDiscouraged, and obstructing the pavement can be fined.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Parking facing against the traffic
Canada · homeNot yet verified
United Kingdom · destinationAllowedBy day only. At night you must not park facing against the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
How far you must park from a junction or crossing
Canada · homeNot yet verified
United Kingdom · destination
- A junction — 10 m
When winter tyre rules apply
Varies by regionCanada · homeNo single national answer:
Québec1 December to 15 MarchChecked 6 Aug 2026
British Columbia1 October to 30 AprilOn the designated routes; some end 31 March.Checked 6 Aug 2026
United Kingdom · destinationNot yet verified
Low-emission zones
Canada · homeNot yet verified
United Kingdom · destinationIn many citiesLondon has its own ultra low emission zone. Clean air zones operate in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tyneside, and Scottish cities have separate low emission zones. Most only charge vehicles that miss emissions standards.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Congestion charges
Canada · homeNot yet verified
Whether police can fine you on the spot
Canada · homeNot yet verified
United Kingdom · destinationYes — visitors must pay at the roadsideFixed penalties are normally paid later, not at the roadside. A driver who cannot give a UK address must pay a deposit on the spot.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Typical fines
Canada · homeNot yet verified
United Kingdom · destination
- Holding a phone — fine from 200 GBP, 6 points (Drivers who passed their test within the last 2 years lose their licence instead.)
Same in both (1)
- How much alcohol you may have in your blood — 80 mg/100ml official source