Crossing into the Canadian World with a CMV

If you're not going to govern avoid Quebec and Ontario, over 244" wheelbase avoid B.C. and New Brunswick, spread axle avoid western provinces.

 

Because it IS a foreign country and the signs are not in English. They are in French.

 

Alberta would have loved you with that spread unless it is a tridem . The Coutts scales always give us yanks a hard time when we try to run with a spread. You are right on with the distance Lethbridge is 62 miles from the line.

 

FAST is being used but it is only can be used for crossing for certain carriers, commodities and shippers. Your approval for FAST should alleviate any worries.

 

"Have you ever been convicted of an offense in any country for which you have not received a pardon?"

Here is an ambiguous question on the fast app? What do they mean by offense? would that be every traffic ticket? Or only criminal offenses?

 

Trucking into Canada is no big deal AS LONG as you are eligible to enter the country. It's not difficult; if you have a CRIMINAL record and have not received a pardon, you are not allowed into Canada (or likely any other foreign country). What constitutes a criminal record? Most likely felony charges but the easy way to know for sure is to apply for a FAST card. If you're approved, you know you're good to go. Any trucker can apply for a FAST card; it has nothing to do with who you work for.

Yes, Ontario and Quebec have come up with some dumb-### legislation that requires you to electronically limit your engine so that the truck's speed cannot exceed 105km (65mph). Here's the simple truth; put your cruise control on 105km or less, and you won't have a problem. They're not grabbing everybody up at the scales to check your ECM, they just want trucks to run slower than the crazy four-wheelers shooting past you at 130-140kmph.

As for wheelbase/weight/spread restrictions, check them out online before entering. For the most part, Ontario and Quebec are very similar to US laws. Quebec is a bit different, with French signage but there's plenty of help on the CB from other truckers; it's really not that difficult, especially in the era of GPSs and cell phones. You can find English speakers in Montreal and surrounding towns; further east, like Quebec City, is more difficult.

Hope this helps.
Professor427

 

Strap a turban on your head before you cross the border, you'll be welcomed in with open arms. Tell them you have 50 of your relatives in the back, they'll even buy you fresh donuts. But yeah, FAST is the way to go, as long as your loads are using that system. Best bet is to get a passport anyways, because sadly, that's what's needed now to get across either way for all of us.