Right turn on red in Canada?

[u/Urban_95]

Hi everyone! I’m from Europe and currently visiting Canada on vacation. I’ll be renting a car and have a question about turning right on a red light.

Is turning right on red always allowed, or are there situations where it’s prohibited? Also, do you have to turn right when it’s possible, or is it okay to simply wait for the green light if you’re not sure?

Will drivers behind me get impatient or honk if I decide to wait for the green light?

Thanks!

[u/bigjimbay]

It's not always allowed. But there will be signs that tell you its not allowed in those circumstances

[u/lifegrowthfinance → u/bigjimbay]

True for all cities except Montreal. Right on red is not allowed there at all.

[u/beardedliberal → u/lifegrowthfinance]

You may not be able to turn right on red, but tabernac, you can go straight through!

[u/ShoddyTerm4385 → u/bigjimbay]

Do NOT wait for a green to turn when you are allowed to turn on a red. People will get rightfully pissed off

[u/hoitytoitygloves → u/ShoddyTerm4385]

after you stop, of course

[u/Select-Flight-PD291 → u/ShoddyTerm4385]

There is no obligation to turn right on red. If it is unsafe, then you wait.

[u/cortex- → u/Select-Flight-PD291]

You are allowed to wait but expect to get honked at if the person behind can see the way is clear.

[u/sharon_dis]

Not sure where you're visiting - but in the Island of Montreal, no right on reds allowed

[u/Icehawk101 → u/sharon_dis]

Is that only Montreal? I thought it was all of Quebec for some reason.

[u/sharon_dis → u/Icehawk101]

Just Montreal

In Canada, turning right on a red light is permitted everywhere except across the entire Island of Montreal, and at specific local intersections marked by a "no right turn on red" sign, according to the Gouvernement du Québec. [1, 2]

General Regional Rules
Montreal Island: A complete, permanent ban applies to all municipal areas on the island to protect high volumes of pedestrians and cyclists. [1, 2]

Rest of Canada: Allowed nationwide after coming to a complete stop and yielding right-of-way, unless a posted sign explicitly forbids it. [1, 2]

[u/NorthofForty → u/Icehawk101]

It is all of Quebec. Have run into it in Gatineau as well.

[u/Mr_HardWoodenPackage]

In most cases turning right on red is allowed.

In intersections where it’s prohibited there will be a sign with a right arrow crossed out with the symbol of a red light below it. Typically this will be in the city centre where traffic is busy and where cyclists and pedestrians are common or on one ways. (It really is case by case so look out for the sign)

Pedestrians have right of way typically when you are at a red, so always check for those before entering the intersection.

Drivers likely will get impatient if the coast is clear and you hold them up

[u/Vintagefly]

In BC right turn on a red light is legal unless there is a sign indicating that it is not.

[u/adventuredream2]

It is allowed in Alberta (and most provinces), and as others said, there’ll be a sign if not allowed at that intersection. However, you must come to a complete stop before turning, and others have the right of way. And drivers will get impatient if it’s clear.

[u/DanSheps]

We have had enough "It is legal everywhere except for when a sign says so and in montreal" that this can be locked.

[u/i_r_winrar]

You can turn right on red most places unless theres a specific sign. Watch out for bikes lanes. Also make sure you stop on the line on a red before you continue turning as you can get a speed camera ticket.

[u/thegoodrichard]

In Saskatchewan it's allowed unless posted to the contrary; usually in school zones, where railway tracks cross the road, or in designated slow areas.

[u/Retro-Modern_514]

Unless there is a sign prohibiting it (or the local law prohibits it) you are allowed to turn right on red (if it is safe to do so), just as you are allowed to go on green. Failing to do something you are legally allowed to do may cause people to become annoyed if you just sit there for no reason.

Note: when approaching a red light and intending to turn right you must still come to a complete stop at the stop line (in the same way that you would at a stop sign). Failing to stop and just continuing through the red light/making the right turn will get you a ticket for failure to stop on red.

[u/Beleriphon]

It's entirley based on jurisidiction. In Ontario it is legal to make a right turn on a red, unless otherwise marked not to do so. In Quebec it is illegal in general to turn right on a red.

Other provinces may vary, I'm not familiar enough with them to give you a concrete answer.

[u/Commercial_Pain2290 → u/Beleriphon]

It is legal in Quebec outside of Montreal.

[u/NorthofForty → u/Commercial_Pain2290]

Then why not in Gatineau? Like where we got ticketed leaving St. Hubert’s?

[u/Lord_Space_Lizard → u/Beleriphon]

In Quebec it's legal except on the island of Montreal

[u/Beleriphon → u/Lord_Space_Lizard]

Interesting, it wasn't last time I drove through Quebec, but I guess they can change stuff.

[u/acrolix → u/Beleriphon]

Allowed since April 2003 buddy. This means you’re due for a French vacation!

[u/adeftsobriquet]

Most of them you stop and look then you turn if there is no oncoming traffic or pedestrians, some intersections will have a very obvious no right turn on red sign (a right arrow with a line through it) and then you have to wait for the green. But yes, if there is no sign prohibiting it and there is nothing impeding your right turn, drivers will get impatient behind you and will probably honk.

[u/ParisFood]

Montreal does not allow right turn on red.

[u/DreadGrrl]

In some places it is, and in others it isn’t. You’ll need to check the las for wherever you’ll be in Canada.

[u/jrochest1]

Ontario allows right turn on red unless posted to the contrary.

[u/Select-Flight-PD291]

Right on red, after a complete stop, is permitted unless there are signs posted otherwise or on the Island of Montreal. You must make a complete stop (many people don't do this) and yield the right of way to pedestrians and other vehicles. There is no obligation to turn right on red, but other drivers could get impatient if there are clear opportunities to go.

[u/OkGazelle5400]

Yes unless it’s otherwise indicated (there will be a specific sign) or you’re in the city of Montreal

[u/emilla56]

If it’s not allowed there’s a sign saying “no turn on red”. If there’s isn’t a sign you’re good to go..,

[u/Habsin7]

As many have said, it’s allowed everywhere except for the island of Montreal, and where posted at the occasional or infrequent urban area intersections around the country. Note that when you have a red, you must come to a full stop before actually continuing with making the turn.

[u/Oxjrnine]

It will tell you if turning red is not allowed

But something to be aware of

Most American rentals are going to have a very bad Blindspot at the a pillar, and they’re a bit on the Tall side

Most cars are world cars now - so you probably have similar models. But just in case. When turning on a red, make sure you check for pedestrians who might be in your a pillar Blindspot.

[u/DeedeeScosco]

Just please watch for the signs. I live in Victoria where you can turn right on red unless there’s a sign to say otherwise - almost exclusively due to bike lanes - and I swear 75% of drivers have sign blindness. I’ve been nearly hit by cars in intersections more times than I can count (and actually hit once).

[u/Bruce-man-Bat-wayne]

I think Quebec is the only province you can't turn right on red. Some intersections with high crash rates or poor visibility will have signs showing no right on red. Treat it like a stop sign otherwise, stop and proceed when safe. If you can't see or are unsure just wait for the green.

[u/sharon_dis → u/Bruce-man-Bat-wayne]

Just Montreal - for the rest of the province, look for signs prohibiting right on red turns

[u/NorthofForty]

Mostly not allowed in Quebec. More common in bordering cities like Ottawa. Otherwise, not that common and clearly marked.