Canada uses kph since 1977 and sets speed limits provincially. Most major highways post 100 to 110 kph, with British Columbia introducing 120 kph sections on parts of the Coquihalla and other major routes in 2014 — the highest posted limit in Canada. Quebec keeps a maximum of 100 kph; Ontario raised some 400-series highways to 110 in 2022.
Speed limits at a glance
| Road type | Limit |
|---|---|
| In built-up areas (cities, towns) | 50 kph (31 mph) |
| Residential / school zones | 40 kph (25 mph) |
| Outside built-up areas (rural) | 80 kph (50 mph) |
| Motorways / expressways | 100-120 |
About speed limits in Canada
British Columbia raised maximum highway limits to 120 kph in 2014 on parts of the Coquihalla, Sea-to-Sky, and Okanagan Connector. These remain the highest posted limits in Canada. BC also makes extensive use of variable speed limits on mountain highways — gantries display real-time limits based on weather and surface conditions.
Ontario raised the 400-series highway speed limit from 100 to 110 kph on certain stretches starting in 2022 after pilot tests showed the change had no measurable effect on serious-injury rates. The change was politically driven but data-supported within the limits of the trial.
Quebec is the most conservative: maximum 100 kph on autoroutes, no 110 kph zones, and strict enforcement. Quebec also uses photo-radar more aggressively than other provinces. Cross-border drivers (Ontario to Quebec) commonly miss the speed drop at the border.
School zones are 30 to 50 kph depending on province, strictly enforced during posted hours. Construction zones double fines. Many provinces have demerit points: 15 demerits within 2 years typically means license suspension.
Enforcement
Photo-radar is legal and used in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario (community safety zones only), Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Banned outright in some other provinces. Mobile radar by RCMP and provincial police is universal. Cross-border (USA) enforcement is patchy.
Tolerance
Most provincial enforcement is at the limit; many cameras trigger at 5-10 kph over. RCMP highway patrol on prairie roads often let 5-10 over pass for steady cruise traffic. Photo radar in school and construction zones is much stricter — typically 1 kph over.
Fines for speeding
Vary by province but generally moderate. Ontario: CAD 95 for 10 kph over, rising to CAD 700+ plus license suspension for 50+ kph over. Stunt driving threshold (50+ kph over the limit) is criminal and means automatic 30-day license suspension plus impoundment. Quebec has similar stunt driving rules.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the speed limit lower in Canada than the US?
Canada uses kph (since 1977) and sets provincial maximums between 100 and 120 kph. The numeric values are lower than US miles per hour, but the actual speed is similar: 120 kph = 75 mph. The highest Canadian provincial speeds (BC 120) match US states like Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
Where is the highest speed limit in Canada?
120 kph (75 mph) on parts of the British Columbia Coquihalla Highway, Sea-to-Sky Highway, and Okanagan Connector. BC raised these in 2014 and they remain the highest posted limits in Canada. Variable-limit gantries on these routes can reduce the limit in poor weather.
What is stunt driving in Canada?
In Ontario and several other provinces, driving 50 kph or more over the limit is automatically classed as stunt driving — a serious offense with automatic 30-day license suspension and vehicle impoundment at the roadside. Lower thresholds apply on slower roads (40 kph over in 80 km/h zones). Drivers are released with no license until court.
Are speed cameras used in Canada?
Photo-radar is legal in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario (community safety zones only), Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Other provinces ban photo-radar. Most provinces use mobile radar through RCMP and provincial police. Border enforcement with the US is patchy on tickets.
Speed limits by province and territory
Each province and territory sets its own limits. Pick one for its highway, city, and school-zone limits, enforcement style, photo radar rules, and fines:
- Ontario speed limits
- Quebec speed limits
- British Columbia speed limits
- Alberta speed limits
- Manitoba speed limits
- Saskatchewan speed limits
- Nova Scotia speed limits
- New Brunswick speed limits
- Newfoundland and Labrador speed limits
- Prince Edward Island speed limits
- Yukon speed limits
- Northwest Territories speed limits
- Nunavut speed limits
Speed limits in other countries
Limits, tolerances and fines differ sharply across borders. These pages cover the same ground for every country we have researched.
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- United States
Related tools
- Convert KPH to MPH — convert any speed reading between units.
- Car speed test — verify your speedometer accuracy.
- Live GPS speedometer — see your actual speed in the browser.
- Stopping distance calculator — how far you need to brake from each speed.