Driving RHD in Canada

[Sea Dog]

Good day everyone,

Great website with some good info.

I will be heading back to the west coast in a few years and would like to bring a RHD Defender 90 back with me from the UK.

I have a few questions for the guys with RHD rovers:

- how do you find driving a RHD in Canada any issues?
- If you had the choice would have converted to LHD?

I do have the option of converting a RHD to LHD before I leave the UK, but would prefer to keep it RHD as I don't really have the time or cash to do it at the moment.

Thanks for the help,

Cheers.

[Dave_F]

Ive been driving a RHD 110 for almost 2 years and have no problems with it at all.

Dont think that the conversion cost would be worth it...maybe it would be cheaper over the pond to convert as this would probably make it easier to resell.

[paullo]

Hi,

Having just relocated to the West Coast from the UK; with a RHD Defender, I can share a couple things that might be helpful.

Don't bother with the RHD --> LHD conversion. It's just like driving in France, except slower. I don't find the Defender has too many blind spots (I have a County 90) and given a week or so, you'll have figured out where you need to look and how to approach situations accordingly. It was the same when I moved to the UK and had to learn how to drive RHD on the left side of the road. Took about two weeks to be comfortable and was all good after that.

Having said that; if you're not terribly attached to your current Defender, finding a Euro-LHD might be a good option vs. conversion. Having said that, if you're going to get a conversion, it'll be £££ cheaper in the UK.

The other thing would be to check the legal requirements of whether your Defender is eligible to be imported. Canada has a 15-yr old policy with regards to importing cars from out of Country; ie. in 2012, the newest Defender you could bring over would be a 1997. In 2013, it'll be 1998, etc. These are to-the-month specific as well.

Some of the requirements for safety reasons; daytime running lights, 3rd brake light (usually a high-level), amber & red reflectors in appropriate places (they're different from the UK), NA-spec headlight bowls that have the correct light pattern, having A1/A2/etc. marked window glass / windscreen / etc. I had to have my windscreen replaced as it wasn't safety stamped.

There's a ton more. Happy to help.
Paul

[HeadDamage]

I've owned two RHD rovers over the years and both ended up changing to LHD. Mostly I didn't mind them but changing between LHD and RHD daily can result in the odd mistake though the main problem was passing on the hwy, I do not like passing on a two lane hwy with a RHD from behind a vehicle that I can't see pass like a truck.

[ANDYD]

Maybe the best thing to do would to bring all the parts required to convert to LHD in the back of your LR (cheaper to get when in the UK) then if you dont like the feel of the RHD after driving in Canada for a while then you can do the conversion.
If you find you don't mind the RHD in Canada then you can sell the LHD parts and make some money on them (rare to find the parts over here).

Win-Win situation...... 8)

[Bill E.]

Good advice from Andy, bring enough bits to convert several Land-Rovers to LHD and you'll recoup your shipping costs for bringing the 90 over.

[Rob]

The biggest draw-back to RHD in Canada is that as the driver you are sitting on the wrong side of the cab for the Tim Horton's drive-thru...

Yeah, you could go through the loop backwards but for some reason the Timmy's staff don't see the humour in that!

If you do import a RHD be prepared to carry a Thermos.

Cheers, Rob

[davran]

The "mail lady" who delivered mail to our rural route back home always used to drive old RHD British cars. She didn't have to leave the vehicle in -20C weather :)

Maybe no RHD Jeep DJs around anymore?

[Sea Dog]

Thanks guys I really appreciate the advice.

I will look into all the options, LHD parts are also tough to find here as well.

Most landy owners from continental europe are picking up the LHD parts to convert their RHD landy's they bought from the UK.

Picking up a LHD ex-mod is also an option I could check out (while still keeping to the 15 year rule) that way I can get my Tim Hortons coffee without going backwards. However someone told me that everyone from BC drinks Starbucks.

[paullo]

...was passing on the hwy...

pass somebody? in a defender?... :shock:

[Dave_F]

...was passing on the hwy...

pass somebody? in a defender?... :shock:

They're not rocket ships, but last weekend i was rolling along easily passing cars at 120-125kph...and yes it was flat :D

[LandyAndy]

Good advice from Andy, bring enough bits to convert several Land-Rovers to LHD and you'll recoup your shipping costs for bringing the 90 over.

I'm converting my Ex-mod 90 to LHD at present, getting all the dash parts took ages & I had to source from quite a few places. Best to get them in 'ol Blighty or go get a decent ex-mod LHD from Withams.

[Bill E.]

They're not rocket ships, but last weekend i was rolling along easily passing cars at 120-125kph...and yes it was flat :D

You're busted Mr. VP, we were all told you couldn't come out and play last weekend because your exhaust was bagged but apparently you were out thrashing your 300 tdi :roll:

[Dave_F]

They're not rocket ships, but last weekend i was rolling along easily passing cars at 120-125kph...and yes it was flat :D

You're busted Mr. VP, we were all told you couldn't come out and play last weekend because your exhaust was bagged but apparently you were out thrashing your 300 tdi :roll:

Nope...it was the weekend before that I was burning off my exhaust... :lol: