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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.