Rules of the road
Driving in Canada
Every value below links to the official source it was checked against, with the date it was checked. What is not verified yet says so.
Speed limits
Speed limit on the motorway
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- Ontario 100 km/h Posted on the 400-series freeways; some sections are posted 110. Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
- Québec 100 km/h Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Speed limit on country roads
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- Ontario 80 km/h The default where no limit is posted, outside cities, towns and villages. Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
- Québec 90 km/h Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Speed limit in towns and cities
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- Ontario 50 km/h The default in cities, towns and villages where no limit is posted. Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
- Québec 50 km/h Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Alcohol
How much alcohol you may have in your blood
80 mg/100ml
The criminal offence threshold, nationwide. Most provinces also suspend licences at 50 mg/100ml under administrative rules — being under the criminal limit does not mean you are safe to drive.
Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Your licence and age
Whether you need an International Driving Permit
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- Ontario Not required For 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 · official source
How long you may drive on your own licence
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- Ontario 3 months As a visitor, on your own country's licence. Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Phones at the wheel
Holding a phone while driving
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- Ontario Not allowed Even holding the phone is an offence. First conviction from 615 dollars, three demerit points and a 3-day suspension. Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Hands-free phone calls
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- Ontario Allowed Earpiece, Bluetooth or mounted — touch it only to start or end a call. Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Who goes first
Turning at a red light
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- Québec Allowed After 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 · official source
Winter driving
Winter tyres
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- Québec Required between set dates All 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 · official source
- British Columbia Required where signs say so On 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 · official source
When winter tyre rules apply
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- Québec 1 December to 15 March Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
- British Columbia 1 October to 30 April On the designated routes; some end 31 March. Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
If something goes wrong
33 rules not yet verified for Canada
These rules exist, but no value has been checked against an official source yet. Missing beats wrong.
- Which side of the road you drive on
- Which side you overtake on
- Speed limit on a dual carriageway
- Speed limit in living and residential zones
- Speed limit in rain or snow
- Speed limit for drivers who passed their test recently
- Speed limit when towing a trailer or caravan
- Alcohol limit for drivers who passed their test recently
- Alcohol limit for professional drivers
- Youngest age you may drive
- Youngest age you may rent a car
- What you must carry in the car
- What you should carry, but do not have to
- When you must switch your headlights on
- Headlights in tunnels
- Who has priority at a roundabout
- Priority to traffic coming from the right
- Who must wear a seatbelt
- Age below which a child needs a child seat
- Height below which a child needs a child seat
- Youngest age a child may sit in the front
- What the lines and painted kerbs mean
- How you pay to park
- Parking on the pavement
- Parking facing against the traffic
- How far you must park from a junction or crossing
- What happens if you park wrongly
- Snow chains
- How you pay for motorways
- Low-emission zones
- Congestion charges
- Typical fines
- Whether police can fine you on the spot