The rental car landscape in Canada is fairly standardized. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a scammer and companies largely abide by the laws. That said, it’s always good to compare prices and agency reviews.

Insurance: Most car rentals offer a collision damage waiver to the vehicle and liability insurance at an additional rental cost. Car insurance and liability coverage rates vary by company and by region. However, as a driver, you are responsible for the car you rent, whether you opt to use your own insurance, your credit card company insurance, or the rental company’s supplementary insurance.

Most rental cars come with full fuel tanks upon departure and should be returned this way, otherwise, the driver attracts a gasoline charge on return. This additional charge is higher than gas prices at self-service gas stations in major cities in Canada.

Age Requirements: While every car rental company has its own restrictions and policies for young renters, generally, the minimum age to rent a car in Canada is 21 except for Saskatchewan and Quebec where the minimum age is 18. A young driver fee is applicable for renters under the age of 25, owing to the higher risk of accidents associated with them.

In addition, restrictions are also placed on the type and size of the vehicle to which a younger renter has access. They are often not permitted to rent luxury cars, specialty vehicles, passenger vans, or SUVs. Contact your car rental company for details about their rules and regulations for younger drivers. Foreigners: Foreigners can rent a car in Canada as long as their valid driver’s license is in English or French or have an international license valid for 90 days and the license is valid for the type of vehicle considered for hire. Their home country driver’s license is valid, unexpired, and includes a photograph. If the driver’s license is in a language other than English or French and the letters are English an International Driver’s Permit is recommended in addition to the home country driver’s license. If the license does not use an English style alphabet an International Driver’s Permit or equivalent is required (This is for translation purposes. The permit must accompany the original driver’s license).

The principal driver’s license should be presented alongside the credit card when picking up the rental vehicle from the rental office. The name on the license and credit card should be the same.

Car Rental Options: Before making a decision about the type of car you want to rent, generally consider your budget, cargo, and comfort needs. Consider the cargo space of the car to see if your luggage will comfortably fit into it. If you are traveling with kids, consider if the vehicle has the features and space you need for a comfortable trip for all the passengers concerned.

The road quality in Canada, including on the trans-Canada highway, is excellent, and the most common option for trips in Canada is small economy cars. But a lot of northern Canadian highways are gravel. Similarly, there are many backcountry unpaved roads in places like national parks, country roads are often gravel, etc. If you are planning to drive frequently in any of these unpaved areas a 4WD SUV may be more applicable.

An excellent option for group travelers and adventurers might be a specialty SUV or 7, 8, or 12-seater minivan. These not only can seat more people comfortably but offer additional cargo space as well.

Cross-Border Travel: If you are planning to cross the border from Canada to the United States, you must obtain the relevant clearances from the company, including insurance that will cover you in both countries. In addition, you need to have a passport, and possibly a visa, if you want to cross the border.

Extra Fees: There are several extra charges that can help you rack up a significant bill for your car rental. These include fees for one-way drop-off, additional drivers, and drivers under 25. You may even be charged a premium location fee for renting at places like airports. If you don’t get unlimited kilometers, you may be charged by the kilometer. You may also be charged a higher rate if you’re traveling outside the province where you rent the car. There are also certain taxes that may be added to your bill including the 5% Goods and Services Tax and the Provincial Sales Tax.

Know where you’re allowed to drive: Certain car rental companies restrict where you’re allowed to drive their rental cars. For example, some companies won’t allow you to drive across borders into other provinces or into the United States. They’ll track your route through your GPS, so be careful. Most of the major car rental companies also won’t let you drive on gravel or dirt roads. You will be taking on the risk and be liable for damage if you choose to do so.