You should plan
your routes before entering Canadian border! There is pretty much to explore in
Canada. So, here are some tips for your trouble free road trip!!- Brought to
you by PartsAvatar
Auto Body Parts.
If you are driving
from America to Canada there are quite a few things that you should keep into
your consideration especially if you are on a road trip. Here we have outlined
some tips for you to have a trouble free journey.
Drive on the right
Canadians drive on
the right like most other countries. The best way to deal with having to drive
on the wrong side of the road is to take your time and start out slowly.
Seat Belts Law
Safety standards
are high on Canadian roads. Seat belts are compulsory. Ensure that the driver
and others in the car are wearing seat belts otherwise a fine up to $2500 will
be applied.
Necessary documents
Everyone wants
their border crossing to go smoothly. The best way to make your trip memorable
is to be prepared. You will need to show your driving license and a proof of
insurance.
All visitors
arriving in Canada need a passport or passport equivalent with the exception of
children. You can also carry green card as the proof of insurance.
If you are crossing
border from US, be ready to address the border officer at border service booth.
He will be going through your passport and other documents.
Speed limit
Canadians practise
defensive driving, but there is a rare chance of collisions from speeding. Wide
open roads mean some drivers are impatient and will break speed limits.
If you are used to
driving in the US, speed limits in Canada can seem pretty liberal. Overall,
speed limits allow for faster driving in Canada than in the US.
Make sure you know
the difference between kilometres and miles before you get behind the wheel and
also know speed limits of every province and territory as they may vary.
Major roads in
urban areas- 37 to 44 mph
2 lane highways outside
cities and towns- 50 mph
Multi lane highway
driving- 62 mph
Minimum driving Age
If you are driving
across Canada, it good idea to make sure you know legal driving ages for
provinces you may pass through.
In Alberta,
learner’s permit can be obtained at the age of 14 but can only be used while
driving with a non probationary licensed driver over 18. In other provinces,
the learner’s permit (G1) is available at the age of 16.
Car rental
companies will insist you are a minimum of 21 years old with a minimum of 1
year experience.
Written permission of guardian is mandatory
If you think you
can easily cross the border without telling your parents, you will definitely
end up in huge trouble. Adults who are not parents or guardians should have
written permission from the parents or guardians to supervise the children,
including the name and contact information of the guardian.
Even if you are not
divorced from the child’s other parent, bring the other parent’s written
permission to take the child over the border. Have the necessary ID for your
children ready to present to a customs officer. Legal custody documents should
be carried if divorced parents share custody of their child.
Check/ Empty your trunk
Sometimes
supervisors at the border order their officers to pop every trunk, just for a
look see. Unnecessary items in your trunk will just add more time to their
questioning.
Be prepared for
basic questions like “how long you will be staying?”, “why are you travelling
to Canada?” and “where will you stay?” Answer with confidence.
On the spot fines and child safety rules
Traffic violations
are generally dealt with tickets but in some provinces there are on the spot
fines for small infringements but they aren’t common.
It is strictly
illegal to use safety camera warning devices in Canada and you can face fine of
about $650 for violating rules. Make sure there isn’t any!
Children less than
forty pounds are supposed to travel in an approved child safety seat. Babies
and toddlers must be in a rear facing seat fixed in the back.
When you return
When you return to
US, you have to declare all the goods you acquired outside US such as gifts,
prizes or awards. Keep the receipts of duty
free shopping if the officer asks for
them.
It is mandatory for
the travellers to consume what they buy at duty free while they are in Canada.
Also make sure to declare any repair or alterations you made to your vehicle
while you were in Canada like repair or replacement of auto parts.
Roll down the front and back car windows
When you reach the
border, roll down your front and back windows so that border officer can
interact with everyone sitting inside.
Watch out for wild animals
There are various
signs deployed on the roads to alert the drivers to certain wildlife type that
are seen nearby. A real hazard can happen if you hit a deer or moose particularly
when they show up out of the blue.
There is a high
chance of getting killed after colliding with large animals. So, better slow
down around those areas.
Watch out for icy roads
Winter driving in
Canada can be a scary experience. Canadian
winters are quite harsh and roads are often blocked with snow. So watch out for
icy roads, rock avalanches, snow or other extreme conditions.
Some roads are very
isolated. It would be worse if you get stuck for hours without any aid. Always
have the number of local emergency services available.
Other road rules in Canada
1. Canadian drink
driving laws are quite strict. If you already have a drunk driving conviction
on your license within last five years, your admission in Canada will be
prohibited. In other provinces you can be charged with $1000 fine money along
with one year suspension of your license.
2. Always give way
to pedestrians on pedestrians crossing.
3. It may be
helpful to familiarise yourself with some basic French travel phrases before
you go. You will come across many places with road signs in French.
4. At crossroads,
only the direction of turn that is legal will be signposted, all other turns
are illegal.
5. If the police
stop you for any offence, remain seated in your car and switch off the engine.
6. Bribing a police
officer is a serious offence, don’t even try to!
7. You cannot use a
mobile phone without a hands free kit in Canada.
So, now that you
know what you need to prepare, you can enjoy trouble free trip.
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