Travel – Can I drive in Canada on a Tourist Visa?
If you are travelling to Canada on a visitor visa also called the temporary resident visa and wish to drive in Canada as a tourist specifically in Ontario (a State in Canada) you can do so up to the duration of 90 days.
However, to legally drive in Canada as a tourist it is essential for you to possess a driving license that is valid from your home country, state or province.
What are the requirements to be fulfilled in order to drive in Canada as a tourist?
- You should have attained at least 16 years of age.
- You should make sure to have proper insurance coverage of the vehicle you wish to drive in Canada.
- You will have to carry the original or the exact copy of the vehicle ownership permit.
The requirement to fulfil to Drive in Canada on a tourist visa beyond 90 days –
If you aim to drive beyond the 90 days duration as a tourist in Canada, it is essential for you to obtain an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) from your home country.
The International Driver’s Permit is a translation of your drivers’ license from another country into various languages.
You must always have the IDP with you whenever you drive in Canada.
However, make sure to check the laws of all the states where you wish to drive in Canada before driving.
How long is the IDP valid?
The IDP is valid up to the duration of one year and in some countries can be extended beyond it depending on their rules and regulations.
In order to use an IDP in Canada, it is important for you to have a valid driving license from another country.
Please NOTE- International Driver’s Permit is always applied outside Canada. Any IDPs issued within Canada are not valid in Canada.
Where to get questions answered in Ontario Canada relating to driving license?
In case of further questions, contact the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) which is the government department that controls vehicle registrations and driver’s licences in Ontario, Canada.
