---
title: Can I drive or bring my car to Canada?
description: Your US driver's license is valid in Canada. Check your car insurance coverage and Canada's rules on temporarily importing a vehicle.
---
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1. [Working Abroad - Participants](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad?hsLang=en-us)
2. [Work & Travel Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us)
3. [Arriving in Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#arriving-in-canada)
# Can I drive or bring my car to Canada?
## Licenses, insurance and importing a US vehicle.
Yes. Several participants have brought their car into Canada without problems, and your US driver's license is valid for driving there. We aren't specialists on vehicle imports, but here's what we've learned over the years.
**Importing your car:** The [Government of Canada](https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/importing-vehicle/temporarily-importing-vehicles) guidance for visitors and temporary residents is a little confusing. It says that for stays over three months it's "recommended" to declare your vehicle as an import, but it's not required. CBSA also has information on [items you bring into Canada](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html).
**Car insurance:** Most major car insurance carriers cover all of North America (Canada, the US and Mexico) without treating it as international coverage. Ask your provider, since limits and coverage can vary by province, plan and mileage, and between full and liability coverage.
**Your driver's license:** Your [US driver's license is valid](https://www.usa.gov/international-drivers-license#:~:text=Your%20state%20driver's%20license%20is,(IDP)%20for%20foreign%20drivers.) for driving in North America, so you don't need an international driver's license for personal driving.
**Who to ask in Canada:** The provincial Service Canada offices handle most driver and vehicle questions. There isn't an exact equivalent of a US DMV. Get the final word on your specific vehicle from them, and let us know what you find out. Community knowledge helps everyone.
**Guides from SWAP:**
- [Canadian Driving Guide](https://iex-website.s3.amazonaws.com/pdfs/Canadian-Driving-Guide.pdf), including driver's license information
- [Importing an American Vehicle](https://iex-website.s3.amazonaws.com/pdfs/Importing-an-American-Vehicle.pdf)
Once your work permit is approved, SWAP's orientation also covers how to bring a car from the US.
- [General](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/general?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/general?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Work & Travel Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [After You Apply](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#after-you-apply)
- [Costs & Payment](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#costs-payment)
- [Second Year & Young Professional](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#second-year-young-professional)
- [Arriving in Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#arriving-in-canada)
- [Getting Started](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#getting-started)
- [Applying](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#applying)
- [Living & Working in Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#living-working-in-canada)
- [American Summer Exchange](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/american-summer-exchange?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/american-summer-exchange?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Germany](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/germany?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/germany?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Work & Travel Australia](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Visa](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#visa)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
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