## driving tip 

Check to make sure your vehicle insurance will cover you before you leave Canada. 

Job  — an impaired driving conviction can prevent you from holding certain jobs. 

Travel  — an impaired conviction could create problems for you when travelling to certain countries, including the U.S. and Mexico. 

## Vehicle impoundment 

In addition to impounding vehicles operated by impaired drivers, police can also impound the vehicle you are driving if you are caught committing any of the following offences: 

• driving while unlicensed 

• driving while suspended or prohibited 

• excessive speeding (40 km/h or more over the posted limit) 

• street racing or stunt driving 

• riding (or allowing a passenger to ride) while improperly seated. 

Police can immediately impound the vehicle for seven days, which could escalate to 30 or 60 days for repeat offenders. The owner is then required to pay the vehicle towing and storage fees to get their vehicle back. 

It’s important for vehicle owners to understand that they are responsible for making sure that only licensed drivers use their vehicles. For example, if an employer allows a prohibited or unlicensed driver use of a company vehicle, the vehicle could be impounded. 

## Driving in other locations 

Do you like to travel? You need to be aware that rules, signs and traffic controls can change when you cross a border. If you drive in another country, particularly overseas, you may find yourself driving on the left side of the road, going around a complex roundabout or looking at unfamiliar traffic signs. To be a safe driver, think ahead and find out the driving rules of the area you’re travelling to. You may be able to find out some information from guidebooks. The Internet is making it easier to learn about driving in other jurisdictions (see chapter 10 , need to know more? ). 

