Buying a car in Canada

Driving tips

Despite British heritage, Canada drives on the right. Depending on where you’re from, the following traffic laws may be common sense or feel very exotic:

• The use of seat belts is mandatory for all vehicle passengers. Hefty fines apply if you don’t buckle up!
• There’s a national ban in place for using mobile phones or hand-held devices while driving. Each province/territory has different rules regarding “distracted driving” but using a mobile phone in hands-free mode is usually okay.
• The speed limit is usually 30 km/h in school zones, 50 km/h on city roads (70 km/h on major roads), 70-100 km/h on provincial roads and 100-110 km/h on highways. Remember to adjust accordingly when facing severe winter conditions.
• Throughout Canada, the maximum legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for fully licensed drivers is 0.08. Driving with a BAC of 0.08 or over is a criminal offence and the penalties are severe.
• There is zero tolerance for impaired driving, including driving while impaired by any drug, including illegal drugs, cannabis, prescription and over-the-counter medications.
• Recreational cannabis is legal. Driving high isn’t.
• Traffic lights are after the intersection (like in the US but unlike in most European countries).
• It is generally permitted to turn right when facing a red light everywhere in Canada, EXCEPT on the Island of Montreal and at intersections where it is clearly prohibited by signage. Watch for pedestrians crossing and remember that turning right at the red light is a privilege, not an obligation.
• A flashing green light means you have priority to turn left.
• When coming to a four-way stop, the first to stop is first to go.
• Highway markers indicate the highway number (20 East, 15 North,…) rather than the destination (Montreal, Toronto, etc.). Generally speaking, north/south/east/west is often used when giving directions.
• Watch for yellow school buses! Drivers travelling in both directions must stop for a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing. When you approach the bus from the front, stop at a safe distance (usually about 5 m) to let children get on or off the bus and cross the road. Don’t move forward until the red lights have stopped flashing or the bus begins to move. Never pass a school bus when lights are flashing.
• In Toronto, when the streetcar stops, you have to stop too. You must pass streetcars on the right unless you are driving on a one-way road. At streetcar stops, stay at least two metres behind the rear doors where passengers are getting off or on.

Drive safe!