In Canada, cars are driven on the right side of the road. Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour and are enforced by the police. All drivers and passengers are required by law to wear a seatbelt at all times. Drinking while under the influence of alcohol is illegal.
Buying a Car
Owning your own vehicle can be a convenient method of transportation in Sarnia-Lambton. Buying a car is a large purchase, so research is very important. Settlement.Org has useful information about choosing the right car, buying vs. leasing, and ongoing car costs.
Renting a Car
If you need a car, you can rent one for a day or longer from a car rental company. Car rental companies charge a fee based on the amount of time you have the car and the distance you travel. When renting a car, you must buy accident insurance from the rental company, and usually have to pay for the gas you use. Be sure to carefully read the contract and understand all liabilities before you sign it.
See below for a list of Sarnia-Lambton car rental companies. Click on the company name to access its website.
Ontario Driver's License
If you live in Ontario and want to drive a vehicle, you must have an Ontario Driver's License. You can use a foreign driver's license for 60 days after you arrive in Canada. After that, you will need an Ontario Driver's License. Visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website for information about licenses and driving rules.
Automobile Insurance
In Ontario, it is illegal to drive without automobile insurance. The cost varies by insurance company and may be expensive, but it protects you and other drivers if there is an accident. Visit Settlement.Org for more information about automobile insurance.
Carpooling
Carpooling is the shared use of a car by the driver and one or more passengers. Carpooling can be scheduled for a daily commute or for one-time travel. Sharing a ride benefits the environment by reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. It can also save you money on gas and car maintenance. Click to search for opportunities to carpool in Sarnia-Lambton.
Children
By law, drivers are responsible for ensuring passengers under 16 years of age are secured properly. Anyone transporting children must make sure they are secured in a child car seat, booster seat, or seatbelt. Child safety seats are not required on city buses.
The County of Lambton Community Health Services Department (CHSD) website has information about child car seat safety. CHSD also offers free Child Car Seat Safety Check Clinics.
Drive Clean
Drive Clean is Ontario's mandatory vehicle emissions inspection program that reduces harmful vehicle emissions by requiring vehicles to undergo a test to identify emissions problems and have them fixed. Under Drive Clean, vehicles must have an emissions test for registration renewal, beginning when the vehicle is five years old. An emissions test is also required for an ownership transfer for vehicles with a model year older than the current calendar year.
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