Car- nada? Here's How to Get or Rent a Car Fast in Canada

Travel

Aug 18

Stunning snowy mountains, green grasslands, gorgeous towns and iconic cities make Canada a great choice for a road trip. There’s something to see and do at every turn, and there’s plenty to eat along the way too. If you’re ready to embark on an exciting adventure but you need a car, there are plenty of ways to rent one quickly.

Renting a car in Canada is very similar to renting a car in the US, with a few minor differences everyone should be aware of before making a booking.

Requirements for Renting a Car in Canada

Canada is a big country with endless roads to explore—which makes for a thriving car rental culture. However, Canada is also known for its high rental costs and string of sticky requirements that each renter needs to meet before a deal can be made.

You have to be over 21 years of age
If you are an international driver under 21, a “Young Renter’s Fee” will be added to your rate
You need over 12 months of driving experience
You need a valid driver’s license
If your license is not in French or English, you need an International Driver’s Permit
You need a credit card—renting a car in Canada without one is impossible
Your credit card and driver’s license must be in the same name

It’s important to note that just like in the US, Canadians drive on the right side of the road. Canadian cars usually also have an automatic transmission, so if you prefer driving a stick shift you may have to search a little harder to find a car that suits your needs.

Booking a Rental Car in Canada

Just like in any great city, Canada offers a wide variety of different car rental opportunities. There are dozens of trusted Canadian car rental brands from Toronto to Saskatchewan that can help you explore the provinces.

It’s always advisable that you pre-book your car rental. Canada is a travel hotspot, and there will likely be a waiting list if you book at the last minute. Or they will have run out of the car size, brand, or style that you were hoping for. Pre-booking is best.

There are many Canadian car rental services that offer online pre-bookings and last-minute cancellation options for travel plans that go awry. However, most will require a hefty deposit.

If you are travelling in a group as opposed to solo or as a couple, it might be in your best interest to register more than one driver. That way, if you take turns driving and an incident occurs, you won’t get into trouble for having a “stranger” behind the wheel.

Choosing the Right Rental Vehicle for Canadian Terrain

The right car for you will completely depend on the nature of your road travels and where they will be taking you. For example, a car for nipping around the city will look, feel, and cost vastly different from one that will tackle rugged mountain trails.

For city driving, the choice of which car to rent is entirely up to you. Whatever you like to drive at home for moving between suburbs and cities will work just fine.

However, if you are going to be doing some off-road exploration, a 4X4 is a far better and safer choice. Canada’s terrain can be very harsh and unforgiving, so choose something with a better grip and engine power.

During the snowy season, Canada’s roads can become treacherous. Make sure to communicate with your rental service that you want snow tires to avoid driving an unsafe car. Snow tires do come with an additional fee, but they are absolutely crucial for safe winter driving.

Typical Car Rental Costs in Canada

Canada is not known for its low car rental pricing system, but that is generally because of the high standard of service that they provide. Even though renting cars in this country may be expensive, what you get in return is well worth the cost. On average, these are the costs you’re looking at:

Per day: $45 - $116
Per month: $1,400 - $3,500

If you’re on a tight travel budget, there are a few things that you can do to keep the car rental costs as low as possible

Book early (late bookings will always be more expensive)
Opt for a smaller car
Pay in Canadian dollars (US dollars will cost you more).

Most car rental agencies will offer the option of filling your car up with gas and adding that cost onto your bill, or they’ll allow you to fill it up on your own terms. Buying your own gas will be much cheaper overall.

Canadian Car Insurance Policies

It’s standard for Canadian car rental agencies to offer a Damage Waiver (DW) insurance option for an additional cost of $10 - $30 per day. While this may hike up your total rental costs, it’s far less than you’ll pay if the car you’re driving gets damaged.

However, if you’re a US citizen with a credit card, chances are you already have DW insurance. It’s a good idea to check with your car insurance provider beforehand so that you don’t end up paying extra for a service you don’t need.

You can also calculate the costs of taking out your own Canadian car insurance if you’re going to be spending a considerable amount of time travelling around the country.

Get Your Rental on the Road

There are loads of car rental options in Canada worth exploring. Big cars, big roads, and big prices are what you can expect. But at the end of the day, you’re getting big value out of the experience.

Having your own car to travel in while visiting Canada can make your life a lot easier and more practical than if you had to travel via public transport, especially if you are going off-road. With this information, you can go forward and successfully rent a car from any reputable agency in Canada.

Meta Title: How to Rent a Car in Canada Quickly & Easily

Meta Description: Renting a car in Canada comes with a number of requirements and considerations. Here’s how you can quickly and easily rent a car when you’re ready to travel.