Regulations

Travel to the USA and back by Car

Travel to the USA and back by Car – going to the USA by car

Going down to the US by Car?

You need to be fully Vaccinated to go to the USA, and you need to carry proof of that with you. The United States customs official may ask you if you are vaccinated. You must be able to prove it. The new rules announced December 2 2021 requiring a covid test within 24 hours of flying to the USA do not apply to the land border.

US Embassy Website for Canada states,- “Travellers who enter the United States at land POEs and ferry terminals do not require proof of a negative test; in addition, U.S. citizens and LPRs do not need to provide proof of vaccination status at land POEs and ferry terminals.”

How to return home to Canada.

Rules for FULLY Vaccinated Travellers

Starting April 1, 2022, pre-entry tests are no longer required for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada by land, air or water. You must still use ArriveCAN within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada.

If you don’t have a smart phone, you can access it online through the ArriveCan website.

In the app you’re going to submit your vaccine information. You’re going to submit information about who you are. And it’s going to ask you some questions about a quarantine plan and questions that you’ll have to fill out about your trip.

Before you leave Canada

Make sure you download and register an ArriveCan app on your smartphone. Or Sign into ArriveCan online
Follow the instructions for creating an account if you don’t have one. If you have an account sign in. Make Sure you have the most Up to Date version of the ArriveCan app. There are frequent updates to the ArriveCan app. Check and make sure you have the most up to date version.
Check the Border Cameras and Wait Times

Before you come back home to Canada

Open the ArriveCan app and fill in the information asked: Date and approximate Time you will be arriving along with quarantine plan information. It’s a step by step process and very easy to complete the questionnaire.

As the primary traveller, you may provide travel information for yourself and for:

your spouse or common law partner
your children (or children for whom you have legal guardianship), aged 18 years or younger
any other adult for whom you’re a legal guardian

You can provide information for up to 8 travellers, including yourself, in a single submission.

You need to do everything above before you get to the border. It’s a requirement. If you don’t complete the requirements you will cause yourself addition delays and stress. Remember the CBSA Officer at the border has to process hundreds of vehicles daily. Make it easy on them and yourself by filling out ArriveCan and fulfilling the entry requirements.

Random Testing

Upon your entry to Canada at a land border crossing, the border services officer may notify you that you have been selected for a mandatory randomized arrival test.

If you are selected for a mandatory randomized test:

You Must take the arrival test as directed on the day you enter Canada. If you are not tested at the border crossing you may receive a self-swab kit to complete within 24 hours of entering Canada. If you are provided with a self-swab kit, use the instructions in the kit to complete it within 24 hours of entering Canada, and arrange for it to be picked up or drop it off as directed.
You don’t have to wait for the results, you can travel on to your final destination, including taking connecting flights
You don’t have to quarantine while waiting for your results
You are not required to pay a fee for the arrival test

The above Information pertaining to “Random Testing” is from the Government of Canada Website at https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada

Addition resources ie. our source of information: going to the USA by Car

Government of Canada – Travel Restrictions

Canada Border Services Agency

Don’t forget to Check Border Webcams and Delays

BC Highway Load Restrictions

The Province of BC Load Restrictions Can be found here. They have a new email subscription service for load restrictions also.

Studded Tires – Regulations

In British Columbia (BC) Under the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, tires with studs up to 3.5 mm high can only be used between October 1 and April 30. The regulations limit tires to 130 studs each for vehicles weighing less than 4,600 kg, or 175 studs each for vehicles weighing more than that. It’s important to note you can only use studded tires on the front wheels if you’re using them on rear wheels also (at least one studded tire per rear wheel). This means if you have a rear wheel drive vehicle you usually only use the studded tires on the rear wheels; however if you have a front wheel drive vehicle and use studded tires on the front wheels you must mount studded tires on the rear wheels also.

Alberta

In Alberta there are no provincial regulations requiring the use of either snow tires or chains. These tires are “needed when conditions warrant it.” Generally, this implies the routes to ski resorts. While it is legal in Alberta to use snow road technology such as chains and studded tires, these are usually only needed for extreme driving conditions on highways. The Rubber Manufacturers Association follows a standard in making snow tires. Any tire marked, “Snow tires,” “Mud and snow,” or “M/S” meets the standard

Washington

Studded tires are only legal Nov. 1 – Mar. 31. Motorists using studded tires after the deadline could incur a $124 fine from the Washington State Patrol.

Montana

Studded tires are are permitted in Montana from October 1 – May 31.

Because of the many different road and weather conditions throughout our state, MDT along with the local tire industry wants motorists to know there is a variety of snow and studded tire alternatives available so they can choose appropriately. Since different types of winter tires provide varied performance under different road conditions, tire dealers can assist motorists to select the best option for them.

Alaska

Studded tires are permitted Sept. 15-May 1 north of 60 degrees N.; Sept. 30-April 15 south of 60 degrees N.

Remember to keep your tires in good condition and properly inspected see Maintain your tires for a safe ride

Boat Exam Boat Licence Tests

All boat operators in Canada must have a Boat Operator Card or they risk expensive fines. Write your Boat Exam Boat Licence Tests. There is no minimum age to get certified and no age exemption. The length of the boat does not matter anymore, or the size of the engine. The pleasure craft operating (licence) card is good-for-life and is recognized across Canada.

The Pleasure Craft Operator Card regulations exist to encourage boaters to evaluate their capabilities and limits, to prepare themselves adequately before heading out, and to be responsible on the water.

As of 2006 – all boaters are required to have the Pleasure Craft Operator Card in order to operate a powered watercraft. There is no grandfather clause or age exemption – this law applies to all boaters. Powered watercraft includes watercraft fitted with any size motor — even an electric trolling motor.

Whether you plan on boating in the ocean, the river or in one of BC lakes you will need to hold a boat operators card/ bc boating licence. If you plan on renting a boat in BC we advise you to get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card. I am not aware of what the insurance companies are doing however if you have the pleasure Craft Operator Card and are involved in a claim you as an operator with a licence look a lot more responsible than an operator who boats infrequently, is unlicenced and has completed the minimal rental checklist

If you need the study guide you can download it by ‘right clicking’ on this link BC Boating Study Guide and select ‘save target as’. Write your Boat Exam Boat Licence Tests.

Here is a link if you have a sailboat and would like to obtain a Boat operators card for Sailboats and or Boating Operator Licence’s for USA.