Canada trip

I’m taking a road trip to Ontario Canada from Chicago next month. Have any of you driven out there? How’s border patrol going in and out? Are they strict with tints and smoked tail lights? I have my windshield tinted (I know dumb) and concerned of any issues.

 

The border officials generally don't care about automotive restrictions. For goodness sake, NO CANNABIS. Doesn't matter if it's
legal 20' either side of the border - don't bring it. Same firearms. They want to know if you know where you are going and have
just an open roadtrip plan or visiting someone.
Now the OPP - Ontario Provincial Police are where concerns with window tint,
etc happen. Generally they are aware to a degree what your local allowances are depending on where you are insured.
So they probably won't bother you for a short term road trip. I presume all your lights and stuff work so you shouldn't have
issues. I've driven and been stopped by cops in 6-7 states for various reasons. I've only been given one citation, since I have
Canadian license they generally will cut slack. Probably same in Ontario. They have no patience for your 'I was only going 110 mph
cause the speed sign said so'. They won't cut you slack for failure to figure out metric speed. Period. If you have tinted side window,
don't rub it in their face. If you do get stopped roll that window all the way down so it's not any kind of visual barrier. They just
want to see inside.
Long winded answer aside, drive nice and be respectful. If you do get stopped be polite. BTW, 10K over won't get a glance.

Canadian Laws regarding distracted driving re: holding cellphone are strict. Don't drive with phone in your hand or against your face. Have it in a holder. I know lots ignore this, but the fines are unforgiving and heavy. $300-400.

 

much appreciated. Looks like depends on the cop type of stuff. I was concerned border patrol would cause issues but considering testing my luck

 

Border Officers are concerned with you, and contents of vehicle. You'll be fine with the truck itself during crossing I would expect.

 

So curious, how'd the trip go?

 

It was a lot of fun. Me the wife and the puppy drove out to Toronto, spent a few days there. Drove to Niagara Falls and a few other pit stops from buffalo New York to Chicago. No issues coming in or out of the states. Will say Toronto’s traffic is TERRIBLE!!

 

Fixed that for you.

 

Glad to hear it. Next time, take more time and head straight north for a couple of weeks, take a canoe.