How to drive in Canada: what you need to know as a European before you go

If you're wondering what it's like to drive in Canada, I'll first tell you that it's a blast, as long as you stick to the main roads.

In this post, which belongs to our super Guide to traveling to Canada , we are going to tell you all the regulations and all our experience so that you know the differences between driving in Europe and driving in Canada, which I tell you in advance is very similar to that of the United States.

First of all, I must tell you that Canada has one of the largest networks of highways and scenic routes in the world . From the iconic Trans-Canada Highway, which stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific, to the Icefields Parkway in Alberta , which we enjoyed on our road trip through the Canadian Rockies , from Banff to Jasper, with breathtaking views of glaciers, rugged mountains, and dreamy turquoise lakes.

AN IMPORTANT TIP: Don't travel to Canada without a good travel insurance, avoid big problems. It is one of the first requirements that they tell you on the Canadian government website along with the processing of the And so.
We recommend you the Iati Star We hired this insurance after a good comparison and study of the different ones on the market. It is the only one that exceeds one million euros of coverage. Without a doubt, it is the best for North America, where breaking a leg costs you €150.000, as happened to a friend of ours in the USA. Another positive thing is that Iati has an app for virtual visits.
I leave you here a link where you have a 5% off for any Iati travel insurance.

On our last trip we traveled through Canada in a motorhome , and if nothing else, we drove a lot during the 21 days of our trip.

TIP: If you want to do this road trip through Canada in a campervan like we did, we recommend renting one. We suggest doing so in Calgary or Vancouver with Roadsurfer , a company we would definitely use again. Roadsurfer gave us a $ 150 discount that you, as readers, can also take advantage of by applying the DISCOUNT CODE: KUCAVANAAMERICA

Driving license in Canada as a tourist: International driving permit

First of all, what you should know, if you are Spanish or European like us, is that in Canada you will need an International Driving Permit which you must request from the Traffic Department of your country.

For Spaniards, like us, you have to go to the DGT to pick it up once it has been processed online on the DGT's Electronic Headquarters website.

In the online process you must enter your details and pay a small fee , selecting the DGT office where you will collect the international driving license.

After 2 days you can go and collect your international driving license at the office noted in your application, bringing with you your ID, proof of application (it can be digital) and a passport-sized photograph.

It's that easy, although you know the queues at the DGT (Spanish Traffic Authority) are always enormous. In our experience, go first thing in the morning and be patient; you'll be there all morning to pick up your international driving permit so you can drive in Canada.

This license will only be valid for one year , which I think is acceptable to them. It could last as long as your license in Spain...

What vehicles can you drive with a Spanish B license in Canada?

In Canada, with a B license, you can drive many more vehicles than in Spain. Vehicle weight restrictions in Canada are much lower than in Spain.

Basically, the limitation is in the vehicle's axles and not in the vehicle's weight, as is the case here in Spain and Europe.

So with your international driving permit which will show that you have a B license, it will allow you to drive normal cars, but also motorhomes that can weigh up to 6.000 kg (here in Spain you can only drive motorhomes up to 3.500 kg with a B license) or small trucks that can also weigh up to 6.000 kg or more if they only have two axles.

You will need a different license than the B license when the vehicle you are driving has 3 axles or more.

What it's like to drive in Canada: the basics

Traffic rules in Canada are generally very similar to those in Europe, so you'll have an easy time.

Furthermore, the roads are similar to those in the United States: wide and often with long straight stretches, making them easy to drive on . In our case, we thought they were fantastic roads.

TIP FOR GETTING INTERNET IN CANADA: Internet is essential in Canada, although coverage outside of towns leaves much to be desired—I'll tell you that right now! We used a Holafly SIM card with unlimited data and it worked great. You can buy it with a 5% DISCOUNT through this link.

You must drive on the right , respect traffic signs and speed limits, which are normally 40 km/h on urban roads, 90-100 km/h on motorways.

Unlike in the United States, here speed and distances are measured in kilometers, not miles. For us Europeans, this is a significant advantage over North America.

Canadian vehicles and refueling in Canada

Another interesting thing about driving in Canada is the vehicles used there. 

Most Canadians own four-wheel-drive trucks and SUVs , which are powerful and have plenty of horsepower . This makes them very suitable for the terrain and harsh weather, especially in winter. However, unlike in Europe, cars there consume significantly more gasoline.

Diesel vehicles are almost anecdotal; gasoline vehicles predominate , and having so many horsepower, they consume a lot of gasoline.

The only good thing is that, as the world's fourth-largest oil producer, gasoline in Canada is cheaper than in Europe . On our last trip, we paid an average of €1 per liter of gasoline at the pumps. But it all evens out; in the end, the reality is that each kilometer you drive costs you about the same as in Europe.

Finally, regarding refuelling in Canada, I would like to tell you something important that you should know. The petrol hose there is black or green. The yellow hose is for diesel in Canada, not like in Spain where it is black. Be careful with this, don't make a mistake when picking up the hose!

Oh, and a tip to save on gas: if you are renting a vehicle, I would choose the cheapest gasoline: Regular, with the lowest octane rating, 87.

The big differences in driving in Canada for a European: different rules

Next, I am going to try to be very practical, so much so that I am only going to give you, and in a summarized way, those rules that are different from those we have in Spain and in the European Union, so that you can write them down and be clear about them before driving on the roads of Canada:

Conclusions about driving in Canada

This is all the information that we can provide you with based on our experience regarding travelling to Canada and driving on Canadian roads. A super guide that we hope will be of support on your trip.

I hope this article has helped you and if it has, please the best way to thank us is to comment below and write to us on social media to tell us about it, remember.

Good route, friends!