Rules for overlanding in Canada

Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 3 June 2026.

Which licence you need

All vehicles — You can drive temporarily on a valid licence from your own country, for up to three months and for a period that varies by province and territory; beyond that an international permit is required. Carrying a 1949 Geneva International Driving Permit is strongly advised in any case if your licence is not written in English or French, and failing to produce the required documents can mean fines and having the vehicle impounded.

An International Driving Permit states the categories it covers: check yours covers what you will actually drive. A car licence does not cover a motorcycle, and a heavy camper or a truck can need a higher category.

At the wheel

Insurance minimums — Third-party liability and personal injury cover is compulsory for all vehicles, with a minimum of 200,000 dollars, or 50,000 in Québec. A policy issued in the United States is valid in Canada only if it covers at least 200,000 dollars.
Temporary vehicle import — A motor vehicle can be imported temporarily for up to 12 months, with the customs inspector at the land border or port issuing an E99 temporary import permit. Where there is doubt about re-export a deposit of 100 to 500 dollars may be required, on form E29B; an FIA carnet de passages can replace E29B and avoid the deposit, but the ministry suggests the E29B because inspectors are not always familiar with carnets. A temporarily imported vehicle may only be driven by the importer, or by a passenger while the importer is present.
Alcohol and drugs — The general limit is 0.08%, but provinces can set it lower, for instance 0.05%, and it is zero for drivers aged 16 to 21; Ontario applies zero tolerance to under-21s, newly qualified drivers and professional drivers. A first offence brings a 600 CAD fine, possible licence suspension and even a prison sentence, and police can fine you, suspend the licence on the spot, impound the vehicle and lay criminal charges, including for driving under the influence of cannabis. Taking a breath test when asked is compulsory: refusing is itself a criminal offence.
Phones — Handheld phone use at the wheel is banned throughout the country. A driver who causes a crash while using a phone can be prosecuted for dangerous driving, with an aggravating charge if anyone is injured or killed.
Belts, helmets and lights — Seatbelts are compulsory front and rear in every province, an approved child seat is required nationwide, and helmets are compulsory in all provinces for the rider and passenger of a scooter or motorcycle, and on a snowmobile in Yukon. Two-wheelers must run with headlights on day and night except in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and every vehicle built after 1990 must show daytime running lights, with Yukon legislating separately as it has no daylight for six months of the year. A broken-down vehicle must show its sidelights.
Studded tyres by province — The permitted season differs everywhere: no restrictions in Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Yukon; 1 October to 30 April in British Columbia and Manitoba; 1 October to 31 May on Prince Edward Island; 16 October to 30 April in New Brunswick; 15 October to 30 April in Nova Scotia; 15 October to 1 May in Québec for vehicles under 3,000 kg; 1 November to 30 April in Newfoundland. Studs are banned all year in Ontario, and vehicles running them face no special speed limits.
Winter driving — From November to April expect snow, ice and temperatures down to -35, and use snow tyres. Driving outside built-up areas in winter, keep the fuel tank topped up and carry clothing for the cold, blankets and a phone. The ministry also suggests taking comprehensive cover when hiring a vehicle.
Tolls — The only toll motorway is Highway 407, the Toronto bypass. Every other motorway is free.

What catches travellers out

No open bottles — Carrying an open bottle of wine, beer or spirits in any vehicle is prohibited, campers included. Any alcoholic drink has to travel in an unopened container with the seal intact.
Cannabis and borders — Recreational cannabis is legal in Canada, with up to 30 grams bought from provincially licensed outlets and a minimum age of 19, or 18 in Alberta. Carrying it across an international border in either direction is a serious criminal offence, and bringing in cannabis or CBD products is prohibited even when prescribed medically elsewhere, unless Health Canada has authorised it.
Entry is discretionary — An eTA obtained before boarding is required for arrivals by air, transit included, and it is no guarantee of entry: border officers decide, and can shorten your stay or refuse you if they doubt the stated purpose, for instance with no return ticket or insufficient funds, with arrest or immediate return possible. Border agents may ask for the passwords to your laptop or phone; you can refuse, but that refusal can itself contribute to being turned away.
Dogs and cats — Dogs and cats from Italy need an original valid certificate in English or French from an official vet, identifying the animal with its microchip number and stating the rabies vaccination, including the vaccine brand, serial number and validity; with no validity stated it counts as one year. Pit bulls are not allowed into Ontario.

Before you rely on this

This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 3 June 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Canada before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.

Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 3 June 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.