The Most Complete Canadian Parking Guide in 2023 

By Extrabux

1. What are the parking signs in Canada?

1. Common parking signs

Parking available here (Parking Sign)

Seeing this sign means parking is available here.

No Parking

It is not allowed to park here, and it is not allowed to occupy the space (waiting for people) for a long time. People, goods, luggage, etc. can be temporarily loaded and unloaded.

No Standing

You are not allowed to stay here, you can quickly get on and off people, but you are not allowed to get on or off cargo or luggage. You can usually see them at bus entrances and exits.

No Stopping

It’s quite strict, you can’t stop here for even one minute!

2. Other parking signs

No parking allowed from Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm!

Parking available, maximum parking time is 15 hours

• Parking is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday;
• Maximum stop time is 2 hours
• Parking is allowed only in the direction of the arrow on the sign;
• Do not stop in the opposite direction

Monday to Friday 3:30pm to 6pm; parking is not allowed in the direction pointed by the arrow on the sign

• Parking is not allowed in the direction pointed by the arrow
• You can park for up to one hour between 7am and 7pm in the direction pointed by the arrow.

• 12:01am-10am No parking unless you have a parking permit
• Parking is available for up to 1 hour from Monday to Friday 8am-6pm

• You are not allowed to stay here from Monday to Friday from 7:00-8:30 and from 3:30-6:00 pm!
• Parking is not allowed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 to 7:00, but people and goods can be loaded and unloaded for a short period of time.
• You can park in the marked parking lots for a maximum of two hours from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm and from 1 to 12 midnight on Sunday (fees apply)

• The speed limit on this road is 50 kilometers per hour unless otherwise marked.
• Large trucks are not allowed to park in residential areas
• Maximum parking is 3 hours unless otherwise marked
• Parking is prohibited on all streets from 3 to 6 a.m. from 12/1 to 4/1.

• No parking between 12:01-12am unless you have a parking permit
• No Parking
• You can park for up to 1 hour every Thursday from 4/1 to 11/30 from 10:00 to 18:00
• No parking allowed except Thursdays from 4/1 to 11/30

3. Special area parking signs

• There is a fire hydrant on the right, parking is prohibited
• No parking on the left

No parking on the right until the corner

• On the left, on school days, parking is allowed for 5 minutes between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• There is a fire hydrant on the right, parking is prohibited
• The sign below indicates that the engine must be turned off after parking.

• There is a fire hydrant on the left and parking is prohibited until the corner.
• Parking is prohibited on the right side, except for disabled vehicles

No parking on the left, except for construction vehicles

• No parking on the left
• No parking on the right, except for construction vehicles

There are fire hydrants on both sides and parking is prohibited.

On all school days, parking is prohibited on both sides from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• No parking on the right, except for buses
• Parking is available on the left for no more than 15 minutes

Parking signs in Canada basically list when you can park, what kind of cars you can park, and how long you can park. The division is very detailed, on the one hand, people will not be mistaken, and on the other hand, it is to squeeze out as much as possible to facilitate everyone’s parking: some road sections are not absolutely prohibited, but parking is allowed in divided time periods on weekends, holidays, and nights; around some facilities, Only 5 or 15 minutes are allowed in different time periods to facilitate picking up and dropping off people; in some places, only disabled people and emergency vehicles are allowed to park; in some blocks, it is clearly stated that only residents are allowed to park, etc.

2. Canadian parking rules

1. Canadian parking rules in public areas

The following are parking rules in common public areas in Canada. You must remember them when parking!

Under what circumstances is parking allowed?

1. When there is a sidewalk, you should park 6 meters away from the intersection; when there is no sidewalk, you should park 9 meters away from the intersection.
2. Park your car 1.5 meters away from the entrance to a private driveway or the intersection of a small road and a thoroughfare.
3. Park 6 meters away on either side of the crosswalk.
4. Park 6 meters away from the STOP sign.
5. Park 5 meters away on either side of the fire hydrant.
6. At entrances and exits such as private driveways or garages, leave a distance of 1.5 meters to the left and right and a distance of 5.5 meters in front.
7. Leave a distance of 1.5 meters on both sides of the trash can.
8. Leave a distance of 1.5 meters on both sides of a marked escape door or exit and a distance of 3 meters in front.

Under what circumstances is parking prohibited?

1. You cannot park at the intersection of sidewalks and sidewalks.
2. Parking on the roadside cannot be more than 30 centimeters from the curb.
3. You cannot park in the opposite direction of traffic.
4. The parking direction cannot be parallel to the curb, unless there is special instructions to park diagonally.
5. Do not park in a disabled parking space unless a non-disabled person or a disabled person is in the vehicle.
6. Do not park in commercial unloading areas.
7. Don’t overtime when parking within the stipulated time.
8. Some school zones do not allow parking during school hours.
9. Non-residential residents may not park in front of other people’s homes for more than 3 hours between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

2. How to park correctly in certain places in Canada? 

1. Shopping malls : keep invoices or receipts after shopping and keep track of your shopping time
2. Canadian Supermarket : There are no disabled parking signs and you must never park in a disabled parking space.
3. Residential areas : In residential areas, park in the correct parking space and obtain a parking permit if necessary.
4. Community Center : The free parking regulations in the community center are relatively loose, just don’t park over the time limit. However, you must not park in parking spaces designated for disabled people.
5. Restaurants and Attractions : Eat out and play, and find out about parking rates. After paying, put the ticket in the car for future reference.
6. Hospitals and banks : When going to the hospital for medical treatment, it is best to ask someone to drive on your behalf. Patients should not drive there; leave after completing the procedures at the bank.
7. Airports and hotels : Most airports and hotels offer paid parking, which is more expensive.
8. Institutions and schools : Municipal governments and other institutions usually have free parking lots, but there are exceptions; Canadian primary and secondary schools all have free parking lots for visitors. Generally, there is no time limit, but overnight parking is not allowed. Parking at colleges and universities is free of charge.
9. Sports venues : There are sufficient parking spaces in sports venues, but the number of people parking doubles on game days, so try to avoid peak parking times.
10. Commercial outlets : Commercial outlets along the street, such as beauty salons, optical shops, hair salons, small supermarkets, clothing stores, coffee shops and cake shops, etc. If there is a sign with the words “Park at Rear” in front of the door, it means that The store lets customers park for free.

3. Canadian parking regulations

• Where can I park my car?

1. Public parking lot

Free parking is generally available in public parking lots such as shopping malls and supermarkets, but please note that some parking lots in shopping malls/supermarkets require consumption before you can park for free.

2. Street parking

When parking on the roadside, you need to pay attention to the information on the parking sign. Generally, there are parking time and parking area restrictions. If you park over the time limit, you may receive a ticket.

• Where is parking prohibited?

Parking is not allowed in many specific places in Canada. If you park in a non-parking area, you may receive a fine at least, or your car may be towed away by a tow truck company. The following is a summary of where parking is not allowed in Canada:

1. Parking is strictly prohibited in disabled parking spaces, building entrances and exits, at intersections, next to fire hydrants, and next to bus stops.
2. No parking is allowed in front of no parking signs.

• Parking tips in Canada

1. When there is a parking space (line drawn), be sure to park your car upright before leaving, because even if the car is in the parking space without crossing the line, there may not be enough space reserved for the vehicles next to you, and you may be fined if you are suspected of obstructing other people’s parking. .
2. When parking for free in a supermarket , you must first walk to the supermarket. For example, after parking in the parking lot of supermarket A, you must go into supermarket A. If you go to store B next to it, you may be fined even if it is right next to it or it is the same store.
3. Free parking in shopping malls generally has time limits. In addition, there are some regulations that “mall customers” can park for free. Shopping mall customers mean people who shop/consumption in the mall. Those who do not shop/consumption due to various reasons may be fined. .

3. How to pay for parking in Canada?

There are various parking payment devices in Canada, but the basic operations and principles are similar. Some French-speaking areas do not have English instructions on the tables. As long as you follow the basic principles, there will be no big problems. The following are the parking payment methods in Canada for reference.

1. Pay at the machine first and then park the car

Street parking in Canada is generally metered. The payment methods include coin (Canadian dollar coins, some can accept US dollar coins) and card payment (usually Visa or Mastercard). This is the simplest and most convenient payment method. More advanced machines will have payment instructions and operating instructions, just arrange the instructions.

For example, the following is a parking payment machine on the street. The machine tells you how many coins you can put in (no change is required), and it accepts credit card payments.

Step1 : Press the keyboard to select the parking duration and amount. For example, if you choose to pay $1.25 for 30 minutes of parking, press 1 on the keyboard below.

Step 2: Follow the on-screen prompts. The screen displays the item you selected and tells you that you can park until 6:02 pm, which is 18:02. In other words, as long as you drive away before this time. The yellow words at the bottom of the screen prompt you to insert coins or insert cards.

Step3: Start payment. Usually if you put in enough coins, if you swipe the card by inserting the card first and holding it for a while, the screen will prompt you to take it out, then take it out. You don’t have to wait for the card swiping result to be taken out. The result comes after the card is taken out.

Step 4: Take the parking payment voucher/parking ticket. A note will come out from the exit under the machine. Place it in the front windshield of the car with the side with the words facing out. If someone comes to check, it is ok as long as they can read it clearly. .

There are also the following payment machines. The principle is the same, but some operations are different. Some machines have more complex functions and some are simple. These machines basically allow you to select the language (English or French) and change money.

There are also some machines where you only need to pay the fee and do not need to show the voucher. For example, like the following, you are required to enter your license plate number and then pay:

2. Park first and pay later

Machine charges:

Generally, this kind of payment is to get a parking ticket at the entrance. After parking, when you are ready to leave, pay at a nearby machine (insert coins or swipe your card). The machine will calculate the time and fee based on your parking ticket, or at the exit. Pay after inserting the card into the machine.

Manual charges:

One is to have someone on duty at the entrance. After paying first (generally cash is enough), enter the parking lot to park. When leaving, just go out directly from the exit.

One is that there is someone on duty at the exit, and you have to park your car first and then pay.

There is also a way to enter and exit at will, but you have to go to a guarded place to pay for a parking ticket, then return to the parking area and put the parking ticket in front of the windshield of the car before leaving. If you think there is no one at the entrance so you don’t have to pay, you will probably get a ticket when you come back.

3. Pay by Phone

If you park your car temporarily in parking lots (spaces) on both sides of the street, you can also pay by making a phone call and informing you of your phone number, credit card number, license plate number, parking space number, and the time you need to park. In this way, if you find that you cannot return on time when parking for a limited time, you can renew immediately. However, this is more convenient for locals, and is generally not used by people who occasionally travel.
In any case, overtime parking is not allowed. Every day before and after lunch and dinner, you can often see the police copying cards on the streets where businesses are concentrated.

Canadian parking APP recommendation

Friends who often drive, how can we not live without Paybyphone? Most of the street parking spaces in Vancouver support Paybyphone. You only need to enter the parking space code to pay the parking fee easily. There will no longer be the embarrassment of forgetting to bring change. More importantly, Paybyphone will remind you when the parking time is about to expire. It is very convenient to renew directly on your mobile phone, and you no longer have to worry about getting a ticket for overtime!

Paybyphone has also thoughtfully launched a Chinese version for users in Vancouver, so people who don’t understand English can use it easily.

• Advantages : simple operation, practical prompt function
• Disadvantages : Some parking lots do not support Paybyphone, so you still need to prepare change when going out.
• Applicable people : car owners

What are the consequences of illegal parking in Canada?

1.Towed Car

If you find that your car is missing one day, don’t panic. It was most likely towed away due to illegal parking rather than stolen. Usually communities, businesses, and properties have agreements with towing companies. The towing company comes to tow trucks every day, and the money is divided between the two of them. Therefore, they must be very active in making money from this kind of thing. Don’t park randomly with a sense of luck.

What should I do if my car is towed in Canada?

If you find that your car is missing and the towing company does not leave any information, call and say that your car is missing. They will tell you that it has been towed and give you the contact information of the towing company. Then you contact the towing company and prepare money. , just go to the towing company to pick up the car. The sooner you pick it up, the better! The longer it is left, the higher the cost. If you are lucky enough to encounter a towing company towing your car, go up and negotiate! Say you pay on the spot so they don’t tow it away, and then negotiate a price or something along the way. This is usually much cheaper than picking up the car, probably more than a hundred. If you think that the towing company charges unreasonable fees and tows randomly, you can argue with them with evidence and try to get a fee reduction.

2. Parking Ticket

In addition to towing, receiving a parking ticket is another form of punishment, usually clipped to the windshield wiper or taped to the car window. Getting a ticket is much simpler than towing a vehicle. You just need to pay the fine directly within the specified date. There are usually three payment methods: telephone payment, mailing, and on-site payment. If the fine is not paid by the deadline, the fine may be increased and the fine may be transferred to a debt collection agency or even the court.

How to pay a parking ticket in Canada?

1. Pay by phone

Have your driver’s license and credit card ready, and call the phone number provided in the letter from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday to report your driver’s license number to the other party. You can find out the amount of the fine and transfer it directly to your credit card.

2. Pay in person

Any ICBC driver’s license office, Autoplan brokerage office, ICBC claims center, provincial court registry, and provincial service center can accept payment of fines by cash, cashier’s check, credit card, bank card, or debit card.

3. Payment by mail

The traffic ticket indicates the materials that need to be provided, including a check or cashier’s check, a copy of the ticket, ticket number, date, personal name, address, driver’s license number, date of birth, and a copy of the basis for the violation before mailing Just check them one by one.

canadian traffic rules

  1. All passengers must wear seat belts, and children weighing less than 40 pounds must ride in child seats regardless of which seat they are sitting in.

2. Strictly implement the yield rules:

• Pedestrians have priority and must be avoided. When you encounter a pedestrian crossing the road, regardless of whether there is a sidewalk or not, as long as you see the pedestrian preparing to cross the road, stop and give way. – If you encounter a police car, ambulance, fire truck or other vehicles flashing their lights or honking their sirens, you must pull over and let them pass first
• If you are driving behind, you must keep a distance of 150 meters. The same applies if you encounter certain vehicles flashing green lights.
•  When encountering a special vehicle, stop on the side of the road and flash your lights. You must slow down (below 60km/h) and go around.
• When encountering a school bus, you must stop and wait, and you are not allowed to pass
• If it is a two-way carriageway and there is no median in the middle, the oncoming vehicle must also stop.
•  If there is an isolation belt in the middle, vehicles from the opposite direction can pass at a low speed.

3. All places where you need to give way (such as pedestrians, such as yield signs, such as STOP signs, etc.) must stop, not just slow down!
4. When two lanes merge into one, a zipper merging method is adopted, that is, one car on the left merges into the other on the right, and two consecutive cars on the same side are prohibited from merging.
5. Sometimes there is a left-turn shared lane in the middle of a two-way road. , merge according to the road yellow line sign. Please pay attention to the oncoming vehicles and give way to vehicles that have merged into the road.
6. Roundabout:

• Outside the roundabout, give way to all vehicles in the roundabout and the vehicles on your right.
• Turn right when exiting the roundabout
• When there are two ways to enter a roundabout, generally the right lane can turn right and go straight, and the left lane can go straight and turn left.

Other FAQs

1. What happens if you don’t pay your parking ticket in Canada?

In Canada, failure to handle tickets on time will not only affect the purchase of car insurance and driver’s license renewal, but as time goes by, the level of penalties will gradually increase, and the fines will double. When the pink slip is not handled in time, the court will sue you for contempt of court, and finally issue an arrest warrant and leave a record of the case.

2. If you receive a parking ticket, what else can you do besides paying it?

Receiving a parking ticket is a daily occurrence for many people. Because there are no deductions involved, many Chinese choose to pay the fine or ignore it. The former is easier, but you still feel sorry for your pocket; the latter is absolutely undesirable, because the consequences are far more serious than you imagine. So in addition to the above two methods, we actually have other ways to properly handle parking tickets – Parking Ticket Disputes

The City of Toronto has launched a new parking ticket contesting process. Motor vehicle owners can dispute tickets by fax and email. This method applies to tickets issued at parking meters, temporary parking ticket payment machines, and other and Parking permit related tickets. Motor vehicle owners who have received the above types of tickets and meet the cancellation criteria in the Parking Ticket Cancellation Regulations can submit the ticket and supporting evidence (such as a valid paid parking voucher) by fax or email to request that the ticket be cancelled. .

Situations that can be revoked include paying for a temporary parking permit but not placing it properly in the car; the temporary parking permit was printed incorrectly; or there are tickets related to the permit, such as parking in a disabled parking space or a parking space for residents on the street. Parking, or construction site, special event parking permit.

3. What documents are needed to rent a car in Canada?

• Chinese driver’s license + translation from a formal institution. The originals are valid only if presented together.
• Driver’s passport (valid visa) + personal credit card (Visa or Master)

4. Canadian self-driving navigation options

• GPS

Basic model-Garmin C255, about RMB500

Chinese voice, with North American map, GPS coordinates are selected quickly and accurately when inputting

• Directly use mobile phone or electronic

Google Map or download it offline or use data in advance

No matter in which country you drive on the road, you must apply for a license plate. The following is a comprehensive guide to Canadian license plates. Friends who need to get a license plate can take a look.