RAC OR A.A.International Driving Permits and Carnet de Passage
[ International
Driving Permits and Carnet de Passage ]
RAC OR A.A.CAA has been granted issuing rights by the Provinces and Territories of Canada to issue Canadian International Driving Permits (IDP). Application forms are available at all CAA Offices.
What is an
International Driving Permit?
The 1949 IDP is a special licence for tourists, authorized by a UN treaty among
nations of the world, for the purpose of allowing motorists to drive vehicles in
international traffic without further tests or applications. It is proof that
the holder possesses a valid driver's licence issued by a competent authority in
their country of residence.
How to Obtain One
If you wish to apply for an International Driver's Permit, you will need:
Restrictions:
· You must be 18 years of age or older to apply.
· The IDP is valid for a maximum of one year from the date of purchase and/or
issue, providing your Canadian licence is valid for the duration of your trip.
Your valid Canadian driver's licence must accompany the IDP at all times.
· IDP's issued by CAA are only valid outside North America
· The IDP cannot be issued for any category of vehicle which is not at present
covered by the Canadian Driving Licence.
· An IDP cannot be post dated, extended or renewed. It is valid for one year
from date of issue. Each time a new IDP is required, the applicant must complete
a new application form, produce a valid Canadian drivers licence, provide 2 new
photographs and the pay the fee.
· An IDP is valid in all the countries that signed the 1949 Convention on Road
Traffic.
For more information on International Driving Permits, contact us.
Carnet de Passages en Douane
The Canadian Automobile Association is a member of the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT) and is authorized to issue its Carnet de passages en douane for motor vehicles to Canadian residents for touring purposes.
What is a Carnet de Passages en Douane?
The Carnet guarantees to a foreign government that the vehicle it identifies, having been granted temporary importation status, will be removed from the country within the time limit imposed by the respective jurisdiction or if not, that the country will be paid all duties and taxes that would be required to permanently import the vehicle. Using the Carnet is an alternative to leaving cash security deposits with foreign governments. It allows free movement and unencumbered access between foreign countries. Use of the Carnet is restricted to the countries listed on the back cover. It is valid for one year from date of issue.
How to Obtain one
If you wish to apply for a Carnet de Passages en Douane, you will
need:
· A completed and signed CAA IDP application form (no other form is acceptable)
· Two photographs of the vehicle
· Two signed photographs of the applicant
· A copy of both sides of the vehicle registration document
· The Carnet fee and cash deposit
Fees
For CAA members: $200.00 plus $14.00 GST
For non members: $250.00 plus $17.50 GST
Deposit: $150.00 (to be used for such expenses as couriers. The unused balance
is returned once the discharged Carnet is returned to the CAA)
Both can be paid by Visa or Mastercard.
In addition to the Carnet fee and deposit, CAA requires a financial guarantee, sufficient for CAA to meet any claims that could be made by a foreign government for customs duties and taxes. These duties and taxes can be levied against a vehicle when it is temporarily imported into a country under cover of a Carnet de passages, but is not removed or exported. This financial protection is provided to CAA by the holder of the Carnet in the form of an irrevocable letter of credit, a certified cheque or a money order. This financial guarantee is held by CAA in a non-interest bearing account until such time as the used Carnet is returned to CAA.
Amount of Guarantee
CAA calculates the amount of the financial guarantee using the
value of the vehicle and the maximum amount of duties and taxes that could be
claimed by the countries to be visited. Permanent importation duty and tax rates
may vary from 0% to over 600%, depending on the country visited, the vehicle,
and its equipment.
The Carnet, when properly discharged, will have an entry and exit stamp for every foreign country visited. The Certificate of Location located at the back of the Carnet must be endorsed by Canada customs, upon your return, proving to CAA that the vehicle is back in Canada. When the properly discharged Carnet is received, CAA will release the financial guarantee and balance of the cash deposit.
There are many steps involved in the process of issuing a Carnet and it can take up to a month to finalize, but CAA will help and guide you through the process.
If you have any questions, please contact us.