Teenagers driving through Canada (Fairbanks: insurance, motels, live)

[megensmom]

My son has a restricted drivers license where he can drive alone like a regular license but it is limited to certain hours of the day. Would you think that it might pose a problem if he were to help drive a car across Canada on our way to Alaska?
I tried to Google for the answer but didn't have any luck.

[Xa'at]

Legally, that would not be a problem, since his license is still a normal class D license, just with a restriction. However, whether or not it would be safe for a new driver to be driving the alcan... that's up to you, but I know I wouldn't try it. There's simply too much at stake!

[User 2]

Rather than take a chance with information given here, (which may or may not be legally valid), call the nearest Canadian Consulate to you.

Going into Canada or coming back into the US is changing in many ways, restrictions that once were not either not enforced, or just plain hadn't been dreamed of, are being enforced strictly today.

The last time I drove, a specific insurance clearance was required, luckily, I had called ahead and found out about it in time to get the necessary paperwork from the insurance companies before I showed up at the border. (that took 4 days, even with my paying for courier service to expedite the process)

Without that required paperwork, those 4 days may have been spent at whatever motels are adjacent to the border crossing. (and those places aren't your typical 4 star joints)

Call or write to the Canadian Consulate and ask them the legal particulars, .......you won't be able to argue that City Data said you wouldn't have a problem.
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[megensmom]

I can't find a number for any place that will give me a live human. I was going to ask about that with them but no live person would answer.
I have Allstate insurance and I have asked 3 different reps. about it and they say that I don't need anything special and also they have Allstatecanada so they claim all I need is a regular vaild insurance card.

[warptman]

Should be able to get something out of this link.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

[Arcticthaw]

If your on the car with him I wouldn't worry about it, The only issue would be for him to learn to drive on ice and snow, especially if pulling a trailer. He needs to practice backing with just his outside mirrors. Had my youngest do the same thing before her and her mom drove out in early summer pulling a Uhaul trailer. They did fine.


I just called my insurance co here in Fairbanks, and all you need is your proof of insurance card, nothing special.

[User 2]

Originally Posted by Arcticthaw

I just called my insurance co here in Fairbanks, and all you need is your proof of insurance card, nothing special.

Now days if you're an insured driver, we all have the little card that shows you have liability insurance, that's a piece of paper that shows you conform to a US state law. It has no relevance in Canada, they can require a different card which they can stipulate.


My local insurance company wasn't aware that I needed paperwork from them to go through Canada, and when I attempted to get the paperwork I needed the national offices were aware of the need, but not particularly efficient at issuing the needed paperwork.

If hanging out at a border crossing because you don't have the necessary documentation to cross the border is nothing special, then yeah, ....don't try to find out anything.

Originally Posted by Arcticthaw

If your on the car with him I wouldn't worry about it

If you're on the car, .......have him stop immediately, .......and get yourself back in the car.........
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[User 2]

Originally Posted by megensmom

I can't find a number for any place that will give me a live human. I was going to ask about that with them but no live person would answer.

I know what you mean about trying to find a human when you call the Canadian Consulate, ....or for that matter when you call any Consulate, they must get hammered with questions of all sorts.

I had to get pretty creative before I was able to talk to a human,

( I got on the web and started calling different Canadian government sites until I got one that would give me a direct phone line.. ...sorry, don't remember the circuitous route I took.),

but even then, after getting a human at the Consulate, that human wasn't able to answer all my questions. Some, but not all.

I don't know where you're located, but if there is a Consulate near you, you can always go there.

If time is not a big problem, write a letter or send an email.

If a border crossing is close, go ask at the border.
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The links below will provide you with much information which may be of interest to any traveler to Canada.

Originally Posted by US Department of State, Travel, Bureau of Consular Affairs

U.S. insurance firms will issue a Canadian insurance card, which should be obtained and carried prior to driving into Canada.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1082.html

New requirements for US Citizens

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html (broken link)



(one might want to review all the information in these links before advising others what they may or may not need)
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[Arcticthaw]

In response to User2 posts I offer the following:

Tis better to beg forgivness than ask permission! Also lots more interesting!

[Metlakatla]

Jesus H. Christ.

Take a jet.