Right-hand drive vehicles

Right-hand drive vehicles are considered imported vehicles.

Currently, imported vehicles manufactured 15 or more years ago are not subject to a federal inspection on importation into Canada.

As a result, there is no assurance that the vehicle has been built in accordance with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS), which includes equipment and occupant protection and restraint standards.

Before these vehicles can be registered and operated in Saskatchewan, they must:

• comply with provincial equipment requirements
• pass a vehicle inspection

After the vehicle has passed inspection, it can be registered and operated.

Vehicle inspection

During the inspection, technicians will check to ensure the right-hand drive vehicle meets the following equipment requirements:

Equipment requirements	If the requirement isn't met, the following must be done before the vehicle can be licensed:
Tires must meet North American standards; either CMVSS or Department of Transportation (DOT) standards.	Install tires that meet North American standards.
Required seat belts and shoulder belts must be present: If manufactured after 1970, all seats must be equipped with lap or lap and shoulder belts. If manufactured after 1973, the front outboard seats must be equipped with both lap and shoulder belts. If manufactured after 1992, the front and rear outboard seats must be equipped with both lap and shoulder belts.	Install seat and shoulder belts in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
Windshields and other glass must meet North American standards. Windshield and front side windows will have indicators of compliance - i.e. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) markings.	Install automotive glass approved for use in North America.
Headlamps must meet the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) - i.e. DOT or Economic Commission of Europe (ECE) compliant - and be aimed for driving on the right side of the road.	Replace the headlamps with DOT or ECE compliant headlamps that have prisms directing light to the right.
Catalytic converters must be present.	Although not part of the inspection requirement in Saskatchewan, vehicles without catalytic converters may be prohibited from operating in some jurisdictions.
Neutral safety switches must be present on vehicles with an automatic transmission.	Install a neutral safety switch in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
Vehicles manufactured after December 1989 must have daytime running lamps.	Install daytime running lamps that operate continuously when the vehicle is in motion when the headlamp switch is in the off position.
Centre high mounted stop lamp must be installed and operational on all cars manufactured after January 1987.	Install a centre high mounted stop lamp.
Vehicles manufactured after January 1971 must have side marker lamps and reflectors (amber at front side and red at rear side).	Install front and rear side marker lamps and reflectors.
Wheel alignment must be set or adjusted for driving on right side of road with road crown on driver's left.	If wheel alignment can't be adjusted, control arms will have to be replaced with ones designed for use on left hand drive vehicles.
Lamps and lenses must meet Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) or DOT standards as per CMVSS: Signal lamps to rear must be red or amber Brake and tail lamps must be red Red retro-reflective reflector or lens must be present	Install proper lamps and/or reflectors.
Vehicles must be equipped with either a right and left exterior mirror or an interior mirror and left exterior mirror.	If left exterior mirror is missing, install a left exterior mirror. If left exterior mirror is convex, replace with 1 that isn't convex.

Contact SGI's Vehicle Standards and Inspection at 775-6188 in Regina or toll free 1-800-667-8015 extension 6188.

Licensing requirements

You do not need to pass a special driver's test or have a special driver's licence to operate a right-hand drive vehicle. Drivers with a licence of Class 5 or higher are eligible to drive right-hand drive vehicles.

Drivers with a Class 7 licence (learner or novice stage) are permitted to operate right-hand drive vehicles with appropriate supervision. However, its not recommended because of the safety concerns.

Safety concerns

The main safety issue facing right-hand drive vehicles is limited visibility when:

1. Passing another vehicle
   • When you're sitting in the right side seat, you have to move your vehicle far to the left to check for oncoming vehicles. Since this can be very dangerous, make sure to leave considerable distance between your vehicle and the vehicle you're passing.
2. Leaving a parking position and entering the roadway
   • When you're sitting in the right side seat, your view of oncoming traffic travelling in the same direction is blocked by the adjacent vehicle. Since this can increase your risk of a collision, use extra caution when pulling out of a parking spot.