Traffic Laws & Regulations in Canada | Road Safety & Driver Responsibilities
As a driver, it is crucial to understand that different countries and even other provinces may have slightly different rules and regulations that govern the road.
Traffic fines or demerits points vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. If an individual travels between jurisdictions, it is imperative to know the variations in rules in that area to avoid fines or demerit points.
Did You Know?
Turning right at a red light is allowed across the province of Quebec, except on the island of Montreal, where it is prohibited by a traffic sign.
| Province | Learner Licence Name |
|---|---|
| Quebec | Class 5 |
| Newfoundland | Class 5 Level 1 |
| Manitoba | Class 5L |
| Alberta | Class 7 |
| New Brunswick | Class 7 |
| Nova Scotia | Class 7 |
| Saskatchewan | Class 7 |
| British Columbia | Class 7L |
| Rule | Province | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Turning Right on the Red Light | Montreal | Turning right at a red light in Montreal is illegal. |
| Ontario | You can turn right at a red light, but treat it like a stop sign. This means you must stop for three seconds, scan the area, check for pedestrians and other road users, and only proceed to make a turn if it is safe. When facing a No-Right-Turn-On-Red sign, you cannot turn right on red as the road sign explicitly forbids a right turn on red. | |
| Passing Cyclists rules varies from province to province | Ontario | A minimum one-metre distance is required by law when passing cyclists. |
| British Columbia & Alberta | A minimum one-metre distance is recommended when passing cyclists. | |
| Quebec | Drivers must keep a distance of at least one metre when passing cyclists on roads with speed limits of 50 km/h or less and 1.5 metres on streets with speed limits over 50 km/h. | |
| Wearing seatbelts in the back seat | Ontario and British Columbia | Mandatory for drivers and passengers. |
| Alberta and Quebec | Not required if the passengers are over the age of 16. | |
| Hand-held devices | Ontario, Alberta and Quebec | Hands-free devices are allowed. |
| British Columbia | It is illegal to use hand-held devices while driving, including mobile phones. | |
| Headlights | Quebec | Drivers are required to have their headlights on at all times when driving. |
| Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta | Headlights must be turned on 30 minutes before sunset, 30 minutes after sunrise, and at any other time when visibility is poor. | |
| Winter Tires | British Columbia | All drivers must have winter tires or carry chains from October 1 to March 31. |
| Alberta and Ontario | Winter tires are recommended but not required by law. | |
| Quebec | Winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 15, and failure to comply can result in a fine. |
The demerit point system may vary from province to province. Below, please review the province-specific traffic violations and demerit points for Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec in Canada:
| Province | Description |
|---|---|
| Ontario | In Ontario, the demerit point system ranges from two to seven points per offence. For example, speeding 16-29 km/h over the limit is a three-point offence, while careless driving is a six-point offence. Your driver's licence may be suspended if you accumulate nine or more demerit points. |
| British Columbia | British Columbia's demerit point system ranges from two to 10 points per offence. For example, using an electronic device while driving is a four-point offence, and excessive speeding is a seven-point offence. If you accumulate four or more points in 12 months, you may be required to take a driving course. Your driver's licence may be suspended if you accumulate eight or more points in 12 months. |
| Alberta | Alberta's demerit point system ranges from two to seven points per offence. For example, failing to stop at a stop sign is a two-point offence, while driving without due care and attention is a six-point offence. Your driver's licence may be suspended if you accumulate 15 or more demerit points in two years. |
| Quebec | The demerit point system in Quebec ranges from two to 10 points per offence. For example, failing to yield to a pedestrian is a three-point offence, while reckless driving is a 10-point offence. Your driver's licence may be suspended if you accumulate 15 or more demerit points in two years. Additionally, if you accumulate four or more points in two years, you may be required to take a driving course. It is important to note that the number of demerits or penalty points can vary depending on the province or territory and the specific offence committed. It is always important to follow the rules of the road and drive safely to avoid receiving demerits or penalty points. |