Driving in Canada

[Mike521]

I have some questions concerning if you have to go into Canada.

1. How far into Canada might a company driver have to go?

2. What are some things that you might have to be careful about while driving in Canada that you might not have to be concerned with while driving in the United States?

3. Are there major differences between the Canadian driving regulations and our regulations?

4. Are Canadian street signs much different then ours?

5. If you break down in Canada what is the procedure for getting help?

6. What if you get a ticket in Canada? How do you handle that?

7. I think I read somewhere that fewer companys are going into Canada then there used to be. Is this true?

8. Is this too many questions for one thread?


Thanks to anyone who replies.

[Rev.Vassago]

8. Is this too many questions for one thread?


Thanks to anyone who replies.

No.


Can't help with the rest. Sorry.

[HWD]

I have some questions concerning if you have to go into Canada.

1. How far into Canada might a company driver have to go?
Wherever the load takes you; read, anywhere in Canada you can drive.

2. What are some things that you might have to be careful about while driving in Canada that you might not have to be concerned with while driving in the United States?
Use the little numbers on the inside of your speedo, not the big ones around the outside. If the posted speed limit up there is 100, that's km/hr, *not* miles per hour: 100 up there is 62 mph. Other than that not much

3. Are there major differences between the Canadian driving regulations and our regulations?
Not really. They do have a wheelbase restriction, though. They'll let you know when you enter I'm sure. If your operation is compliant here you have little concern in Canada.

4. Are Canadian street signs much different then ours?
In Quebec, most signage is in French. Out west, English.

5. If you break down in Canada what is the procedure for getting help?
Call your dispatcher and ask them what to do when it happens. O/O's do what you do here...call a wrecker and pay the man.

6. What if you get a ticket in Canada? How do you handle that?
The officer will tell you what you need to do when it's issued.

7. I think I read somewhere that fewer companys are going into Canada then there used to be. Is this true?
Depends.

8. Is this too many questions for one thread?
No. Gave me something to do. It's been 7 years since I went to Canada, I don't think much has changed except the passport requirement. Remember, verify any info you get on the internet because it's worth about as much as you're paying for it! Look for "allan5oh" and "rank", they're both Canadian and can give you more info than I can. There are others, them two are the only ones I can think of right off...oh yeah, and "wildkat", too.


Thanks to anyone who replies.

[Rev.Vassago]

If you do go to Canada, try to get as little Canadian money as possible. Most places will take American money, but will give you Canadian change.

[Jumbo]

I would advise you to get a check card if you don't already have one. That just makes it easier than handling two different currencies

[Syncrosonix]

If you do go to Canada, try to get as little Canadian money as possible. Most places will take American money, but will give you Canadian change.

i always give canadian currency to hobos here in america.

[Windwalker]

I have some questions concerning if you have to go into Canada.

1. How far into Canada might a company driver have to go?
Wherever the load takes you; read, anywhere in Canada you can drive.

I once took one load up to Churchill. About as far north as you can go in eastern Canada. That was a load of sedative for the polar bears. Been up to Edmonton, AB and Vancouver, BC. But, my normal route was from Salt Ste Marie, MI/ON to the north end of I-91 in Derby Line, Vermont, and back again. That was taking 17 to 417 to 40 to 10 to 55 in Canada.

2. What are some things that you might have to be careful about while driving in Canada that you might not have to be concerned with while driving in the United States?
Use the little numbers on the inside of your speedo, not the big ones around the outside. If the posted speed limit up there is 100, that's km/hr, *not* miles per hour: 100 up there is 62 mph. Other than that not much

I did use Canadian Money when I had it, but if not, American Money was accepted everywhere I went. However, KNOW THE EXCHANGE RATE, and COUNT YOUR CHANGE. If you spend American in Canada, expect to get your change in Canadian.

3. Are there major differences between the Canadian driving regulations and our regulations?
Not really. They do have a wheelbase restriction, though. They'll let you know when you enter I'm sure. If your operation is compliant here you have little concern in Canada.

In BC, they also have a limit on the amount of "OVER-HANG" you can have behind your trailer tandems. I don't remember what it is, but that's the only province that told me anything about it. And, if you're pulling a flatbed, there used to be a restriction on a spread axle in the western provinces.

4. Are Canadian street signs much different then ours?
In Quebec, most signage is in French. Out west, English.

My wife always got a laugh out of the signs that said "SQUEEZE" instead of "MERGE" when loosing a lane, like going into a construction area. New Brunswick is also a French province with "FOREIGN SIGNS". Signs in eastern Ontario Province are "bi-lingual", so you might want to take note of them. You may be given an address like Carter Street, but in Quebec it will say Rue Carter.

5. If you break down in Canada what is the procedure for getting help?
Call your dispatcher and ask them what to do when it happens. O/O's do what you do here...call a wrecker and pay the man.

6. What if you get a ticket in Canada? How do you handle that?
The officer will tell you what you need to do when it's issued.

7. I think I read somewhere that fewer companys are going into Canada then there used to be. Is this true?
Depends.

8. Is this too many questions for one thread?
No. Gave me something to do. It's been 7 years since I went to Canada, I don't think much has changed except the passport requirement. Remember, verify any info you get on the internet because it's worth about as much as you're paying for it! Look for "allan5oh" and "rank", they're both Canadian and can give you more info than I can. There are others, them two are the only ones I can think of right off...oh yeah, and "wildkat", too.


Thanks to anyone who replies.

If you get to run across 17 in Ontario, at the junction of 17 and 41, at Pembroke, ON, you'll find some of the best food in Canada at the Big Irving Truck Stop, about a quarter mile to the North of 17. Good people that wear smiles, and good, friendly service too. Narne Centre, a little west of Sudbury were my two main stops on the way across.

[Jumbo]

If you do go to Canada, try to get as little Canadian money as possible. Most places will take American money, but will give you Canadian change.

i always give canadian currency to hobos here in america.

What do Werner drivers do with it?

[Roadhog]

My experience is the wheelbase restriction is mainly enforced out west. Ontario and Quebec don't fuss much over that. If they are going to measure you, it will be at the border. In that case, you are boned. What is the maximum tractor wheelbase again? 246" ? I guess they only want Local drivers... But oh well...I cross with a 270" Pete all the time. I won't fuel in Canada. I just stop for a meal where ever I know there are cute French Canadian waitresses. They could serve me soggy toast, but then...I am a weak man.

Quebec will have a lot of road signs in French. But the French Canadian girls there make the hassle worth while. At least in my opinion. Their accent just makes everything seem better.

If you get pulled over by a cop in Quebec, just learn this phrase.
Vous les flics français/Canadiens êtes un bouquet de dickheads. Donnez-moi juste le ticket friggin et embrassez mon âne américain.

Make sure your company has insurance in which ever Province you are going to cross.

Come to think of it...I always seem to be looking for Celine Dion, Shania Twain, or Avril Lavine when I am in Ontario or Quebec. I think if I ever spot one of those babes, I may be arrested for peeling them out of their cloths with my teeth.

I'm not certain if that is acceptable conduct in Canada or not.

[murray]

AsI'm told ,10-1 spreads arn't allowed east of Ontario, they claim it's hard on the roads, I think it's a local thing
U.S. currency will be accepted almost any were and the change will at most places be in Canadian and at par, Unless our dollar rises above yours again then they 'll figure out the exchange rate.
In the Toronto area DON'T use the 407 unless you have a transponder, it's a toll road and is very expensive but it will get you most of the way accross the gta rather quickly during rush hour,If you can ,stay away from that area between 6:30 - 900 am and 3:00- 7:00 pm, traffic can be horrible that time of day.
Not a lot of difference in the HOS, do what I do ,stick with the American rules and you'll be fine.
Make sure you have your pass port , not sure if you actually need it to get into Canada but you will need it to get back into the U.S.

[tinytim]

If you're going to spend much time in Canada learn the HOS. If you stick with the American HOS you'll be fine but the split sleeper and 13 hour driving rule can come in handy.

Also, if spending much time I would recommend getting Canadian currency. Everyone will accept USD but some will rape you with the exchange.

Road signs are road signs, even the french ones are easy enough to figure out.

I'd say the biggest difference in Canada is the lack of truck stops and rest areas.

From my experience the 4 wheelers are stupider around big trucks than in the US also.

Passport or FAST Card is recommended but you can still get back into the States with a drivers license and birth certificate.

The farther north you go the colder it gets.

[freebird]

When possible use a credit card for purchases, your bank will give you the most current exchange rate.
Unless you want to collect some of their monopoly money that is! :wink:
Although right now they are pretty close to even.

[Creek Jackson]

If you get pulled over by a cop in Quebec, just learn this phrase.

Vous les flics français/Canadiens êtes un bouquet de dickheads. Donnez-moi juste le ticket friggin et embrassez mon âne américain.

It would be more acceptable to say it in English. The French may get upset if you mispronounce any words.

Try it this way;

"The French Canadian cops are a bunch of dickheads. Give me just the friggin ticket and kiss my American ass. "

This way you won't get in trouble.

[bikerboy]

No handguns are allowed to be brought into canada either, long guns are allowed as long as you tell customs and do all the paperwork for them.

mace or pepper spray is also illegal.
Ontario also bans all radar, laser detectors.

the max tractor wheelbase in ontario with a 53 ft trailer is 244 inch, with a 48 foot trailer you can run any wheelbase as long as you stay under 75 feet total length i think it is!

10 foot spread axles are allowed in ontario and quebec, other places in canada are all different on the spread axle rules.

All cigarette brands are different in canada, so if you smoke, better bring a carton of your own with you, and make sure you tell canada customs about it.

[Walking Eagle]

Way around the tractor wheelbase limitation is to get a "Srecialised tractor permit" Works for BC, ALB, Sa. Costs $25 US. Go to any auto parts store and get w Warren electric winch and bolt it to the rack of frame and you are speciaised

[Rev.Vassago]

All cigarette brands are different in canada,

The canadian cigarette packs are funny, with their huge warnings all over them.

[Walking Eagle]

And like Bikerboy said "bring your own cigs." !! I smoke Marlboro reds but got some there that tasted nothing like "mine" and gave me a buzz like the first cig. I ever had :sad: Plus they are like about $6.50 to $7.50 a pack.

[Rev.Vassago]

And like Bikerboy said "bring your own cigs." !! I smoke Marlboro reds but got some there that tasted nothing like "mine" and gave me a buzz like the first cig. I ever had :sad: Plus they are like about $6.50 to $7.50 a pack.

The ones at the border are much cheaper.

[Windwalker]

No handguns are allowed to be brought into canada either, long guns are allowed as long as you tell customs and do all the paperwork for them.

One other driver once told me you could take a long gun into Canada, but I've asked US DOT about carrying a long gun in the States, and I was told ABSOLUTELY NOT. Check both sides of the boarder before you try it.

[Walking Eagle]

DOT regs say "No firearms in a CMV", Canada, if you apply for and get a permit, about a month before you plan to travel In A Private Vehicle, says you may have the long gun (unless it is one that can be modified in any way to be automatic) but may not have any amunition in the vehicle for that gun. To the Canadian authorities an "Automatic Wepon" is like a Remington shotgun were you can pull the trigger each time it is fired not just pull and it empties the mag.