Your Brampton Adventure Starts Here: Car Hire at Brampton GO Station

Your full UK driving licence is valid in Ontario for up to 90 days. However, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended as a backup—it translates your licence details into French and English. Rental companies and police officers may request it, especially for longer stays. The IDP costs around £5.50 from the Post Office and is valid for one year.

Yes, most rental companies in Ontario apply a 'young driver surcharge' for drivers under 25. Expect to pay an additional £18–£25 per day on top of the base rate. Drivers aged 21–22 typically face even higher premiums, around £28–£35 daily. Some agencies like Enterprise or National may waive the surcharge for drivers 22+ with a clean record, so shop around.

Ontario law requires winter tyres (marked with a snowflake symbol) on highways from October to April. Brampton averages 120 cm of snowfall annually, with temperatures dropping to -15°C in January. Without winter tyres, you risk a £150 fine and invalidated insurance. The QEW and Highway 401 are notorious for whiteout conditions—carry an ice scraper, jumper cables, and a blanket. All-season tyres are legal but not recommended for serious winter driving.

Highway 407 charges distance-based tolls (roughly £0.20–£0.35 per km). If you skip the transponder, an invoice gets sent to your rental company's billing address plus a £15–£25 admin fee. Most visitors find renting a transponder (407 ETR) from the rental agency cost-effective at £3–£5 daily, especially if you'll use the highway twice. Cash is not accepted on 407.

You'll need regular unleaded gasoline (87–89 octane, called 'regular' in Canada, not premium). Brampton has ample petrol stations along major routes like Queen Street and Highway 410. Prices average £0.85–£1.10 per litre. Most rental cars come with a full-to-full policy—return the car with the same amount or face a refuelling charge at £1.50–£2.00 per litre. Stations are typically open 6am–11pm; some on highways run 24 hours.

Your UK car insurance almost certainly won't cover Canada—you'll need either a Canadian Non-Resident Insurance Certificate (from providers like Intact or TD Insurance, roughly £40–£60 for a 30-day policy) or purchase coverage through the rental company. Basic liability (third-party) is mandatory and included in rentals at £15–£25 daily. Skip rental agents'Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) if your credit card provides primary coverage—saves £20–£30 daily. Verify with your card provider before declining.