I plan to move to Toronto by the end of April. I would like to rent a car for a period of 1-2 weeks. I won't be having a canadian license by that time.

1. Is an international driving permit mandatory or can I rent simply by using my Indian license?
2. What about insurance? Can I get collision and liability insurance from the rental company itself?

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Originally posted by AzizTheGult

I plan to move to Toronto by the end of April. I would like to rent a car for a period of 1-2 weeks. I won't be having a canadian license by that time.

1. Is an international driving permit mandatory or can I rent simply by using my Indian license?

IDP is advisable, you can rent using Indian DL make sure you have a plastic card (not the booklet)

2. What about insurance? Can I get collision and liability insurance from the rental company itself?

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Thanks for your response quest. I have experience driving on North American roads so that is not an issue.

My main concern is liability insurance. Is it possible to buy it directly from the rental company? Or from an insurance company? Is there a minimum liability coverage that car rental companies provide (even to those that don't have a canadian license)?

You can easily get insurance from rental company directly. In case your existing insurance covers liabilities outside of your country (which I doubt would be the case), you need not buy insurance here.

Unlike what quest has written, it is not necessary that all Gold or Platinum credit cards cover rental car insuarance - it is a myth.

You can drive with your home country driving licence for a period of 90 days in Ontario (I am aware of Ontario only - may be whole of Canada has the same provision).

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Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!

I rented cars in US and Canada with my Indian driving license. You can buy LDW coverage from rental company itself.

Rental companies usually accept Indian driving license. Its better to have a International driving permit or reciprocal license before you drive in Canada.
After all, you never know whats hiding in fine print of those insurance documents.

Thanks to everyone who responded.

I have one more question. I have a 2 year old son. I understand there is a requirement of child car seats for small children. Is this mandatory or optional for rental cars? What if I hire a taxi and want to travel with my child... I can't expect taxis to be equipped with child seats...

Quote:

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Originally posted by AzizTheGult

Thanks to everyone who responded.

I have one more question. I have a 2 year old son. I understand there is a requirement of child car seats for small children. Is this mandatory or optional for rental cars? What if I hire a taxi and want to travel with my child... I can't expect taxis to be equipped with child seats...

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