If visiting Canada is on your vacation or business itinerary, then renting a vehicle might very well be too. Before your trip is upon you, take the time to learn the basic facts outlined below and then enjoy your trip to Canada!
Drivers License
In order to rent a vehicle in Canada you are required to be in possession of a valid driver’s license. If your driver’s license does not have a photograph some companies will require you to provide a major credit card and/or your passport, while other companies might be willing to settle for another form of photo ID (such as a work ID) along with your driver’s license.
Foreign visitors to Canada must have drivers’ licenses that are either written in English or French (the two official languages of Canada). An international permit is required if licenses are in any other language. Visitors from the UK may be required to bring both parts of their license with them in order to rent a vehicle. The reason for this is because information on both sides is relevant to Canadian authorities. Car rental agencies need to see both parts and the counterpart is important in case of an accident.
A Drivers License From Other Countries
A driver’s licence from anywhere other than Canada that clearly shows the following pieces of information- date of birth, class, expiry date and conditions- can be used in Canada for up to six months but no longer than that. International driving permits on the other hand, can be used in Canada for up to a year provided that the holder of the permit is a visitor and not a resident. These special permits must be obtained from the visitor’s country of residence before they embark on their trip to Canada. They cannot be issued once a foreign visitor arrives in Canada. This last point cannot be stressed enough.
Reservations
It is always a smart idea to book a car rental well in advance of your trip to Canada. It is recommended in order to get the best rate that visitors book a rental car at a weekly rate (a week is generally considered between 5-7 days) instead of at a daily rate. This makes sense of course, the longer the duration of your trip. Rates are based in part on how many cars the rental company has available at the pick up location.