You now need a passport to travel into Canada with your car. Canada only requires state-issued photo identification and proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate, but re-entry into the U.S. requires a passport. Make sure that any documentation is up-to-date before beginning your trip. Minors who accompany their parents and who are under the age of 16 need only present a birth certificate or proof of citizenship.
Like the United States, Canada requires drivers to provide a proof that they have automobile insurance. You will want to have the documents accessible before you arrive at the border crossing.
Similarly to some U.S. states such as Virginia, drivers cannot use radar detectors in Canada. If you are traveling from a location that permits the use of such devices, you will want to disconnect them and store them safely before you attempt to cross the border.
You may not be able to cross into Canada by car if you have a prior conviction for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated. If this applies to you, you need to apply for a waiver that could take several weeks to process.
Depending on the province that you are visiting in Canada, you may need to keep your headlights on at all times. While most cars are equipped with daytime running lights, you will want to perform a pre-trip inspection to ensure that they are operational.
Chaperones of school or club trips that are planning on crossing the Canadian border by car will need to have signed affidavits from the legal guardian of any children under the age of 16 permitting them to bring the children across the border.
