Renting a car in Seattle and dropping it off in Vancouver

[ee2k]

I did this once before many years ago by chance but wanted to ask about recent experiences. We know that as Canadians we cannot drive a US plated vehicle into Canada. This also applies to rental cars. Are there rental companies that allow you to specifically request Canadian vehicles so you can drop off in Vancouver having rented them in Seattle airport? Looking to do a YYC-SEA-drive-YVR-YYC trip.

[ExtraSlow]

When I worked in the rental car business it was somewhat common to end up with us plated vehicles in Canada. There's an additional fee, but the rental company allowed it.

[ee2k]

I also worked for a rental car business. But it's not their rules, it's Canadian government rules that don't allow Canadians to cross in or drive US plated vehicles in Canada. If you had a US-issued drivers license you could (showed your US residency.) Otherwise, you risk not being allowed to enter Canada with said vehicle. In fact, I once drove a relative's car with them sitting next to me, the border agent required us to switch for I am not allowed to drive that vehicle in Canada.

[eblend]

Interesting rules...never heard of this. I rented in vancouver and drove to Seattle before, but came back to drop car off in Vancouver again, so it was always plated in Canada. This is interesting, never thought it was a rule.

[roopi]

How do all the Arizona plated uhauls end up in Canada then?

[ee2k]

Interesting rules...never heard of this. I rented in vancouver and drove to Seattle before, but came back to drop car off in Vancouver again, so it was always plated in Canada. This is interesting, never thought it was a rule.

If you rent a Canada plated car in Vancouver and bring it back to Canada you can. If you rent a Canada plated car in Seattle and bring it back to Canada you can. What you can’t do is drive a US plated car. You certainly can’t drive US plated car across the border into Canada unless you are a US resident or US citizen.

So my question was if rental agencies in Seattle airport carry Canada plated cars that I could drive one way to Canada.

[ee2k]

I found this from transport Canada: https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/safevehicles-rental-usa-1302.htm

[Manhattan]

Didn't know there was such a rule. About 5 years ago I picked up a US rental car in Montana, drove it back to Calgary to load up supplies for a road trip and returned it in California. There is a big relocation fee for returning Canadian plated car in US and vice versa - it was $1000 on top of whatever the rental cost. If you work for the car rental company they will waive this fee however.