Any tips for a USA Driver crossing into Canada?

Canada, eh? I believe the cops are still called "Mounties", and if that stupid "Highway thru Hell"( their idea of hell differs greatly from mine), has any merit, which it doesn't, they have the absolute worst truck drivers, every episode seems to show how inadequate they are, and if you'll notice, many of the towing scenes are staged on some back road. If I was a Canadian truck driver, I'd take offense to that show. My daughter, who travels all over the globe, was in Vancouver for a spell, she said it was remarkably clean and orderly, she actually felt safe. She says of all the places she's been, America is the worst. I think weed is legal there,,what? It is? Here? Since when?

 

As an old cross-border trucker who did mostly Quebec, first of all, signs are in English all across the rest of Canada, but not Quebec. Learn a few critical French sign phrases:
Risque de brouilliard: High wind area.
Allumez vos phares: Turn on headlights.
Materiels dangerouses interdit dans le tunnel: Hazmat not allowed in tunnel.
Sotie: Exit.
Interdit: Forbidden.
Est: East.
Ouest: West.
Nord: North.
Sud: South.
Vide: Empty
Charger: Loaded.
Decharger: Unloding.

Note: in Quebec, weigh stations will be open even during heavy snowstorms!

Food going in to Canada is pretty much unrestricted, unless you are going through an agricultural area (like apples), where fruit may be banned. It's coming BACK into the US where all citrus and meats will be trash-canned.

Laws were passed a few years ago requiring drivers to follow the hours of service rules of their home country. I used to use different HOS laws to my benefit back when I was crossing, but you can't do that anymore.

Often US-based 1-800 numbers do not work in Canada. You company may or may not have a Canada-specific 800 number.

US customs charges a per-crossing fee, unless your company has a customs sticker, usually placed on the driver's vent window.

One more thing; it IS legal to carry alcohol (unopened) in your cab in Canada, but NOT in the US. I would occasionally stop at the duty-free for a bottle of good bourbon coming across the Peace Bridge in Buffalo (and declare it to customs), then pull over to the side, put it in my trailer with the empty automotive racks, and slap a seal on the trailer. When I got hom 70 miles later, I broke the seal and retrieved my bourbon...

 

You can still switch to Canadian rules when you cross the border. Just have to make sure everything is legal when you cross back into the States.

 

My advice for the OP to call another company driver with experience going to Canada was to talk to that driver when the OP is dispatched, not wait until inside of Canada.

 

Incorrect. You run the hours of the country you are currently in.

 

And don't forget, in Quebec there are exit signs on the freeways to the nudist camps

 

And I take offense to your post. I enjoy watching Highway to Hell on the Weather channel and I think that the tow truck drivers up there treat the drivers with a great deal more respect and professionalism than the American tow truck drivers treat their customers. Every episode shows people working together to solve complex problems with a little bit of (but not too much) drama.

 

I’m Canadian. Biggest thing that gets US drivers is past criminal history, mainly dui (dwi). That’s considered a felony up here and will make you inadmissible. The first time you cross, you will be referred to secondary. Criminal check, etc. some bad info given about knives in an earlier post. It is considered a weapon. Declare it. You don’t want them doing a cab check and finding it. As for food, the Cbsa site has food prohibited listed. Don’t forget about going back home too, CBP doesn’t allow some foods as well. Also listed on their site.
Any questions, pm me.

 

And if you or anyone else has concerns about if my past history will affect entry, apply for a FAST card. Both countries review the applicant and both have to approve. Also minimal questions asked upon entry both ways.