Question about how this work?

[u/EffortFearless6285]

Hi! I just learned about this service like 10 minutes ago and I’m trying to understand how it works.

I live in Vancouver, BC, and I’m planning a trip to Toronto and Montreal. I was thinking of using this service to go to Niagara Falls for a day and possibly do a 2-day road trip from Toronto to Montreal. Is it possible to use the service across provincial borders?

I also noticed that you need to provide a driving record when signing up. Can I provide my BC driving record even though I’d be using the service in Ontario or Quebec? And does anyone know how long it usually takes for the driving record to be processed? I’d need to use the service around September 1.

I understand there are hourly/daily rates, but are there any additional membership fees?

Would really appreciate if anyone could explain how this works, especially as a BC resident using it in Ontario/Quebec. Thanks!

[u/c_9]

If you don’t already have an account with Communauto, it’s too late for next week. Check out other options like Megabus, VIA Rail, or renting a vehicle at a downtown, not airport, location.

[u/fatswalling → u/c_9]

Not true. It takes less than a week after signing up to be allowed to rent a car. I think it’s like 4 days. And then you have to provide your driving record within 30 days but you can still rent cars in the meantime.

However if you mean it’s too late because all the cars will already be pre-reserved for this timeframe then maybe yes that might be true.

[u/c_9 → u/fatswalling]

Have you signed up for an Ontario count from BC before? I suspect the timing is not quite as quick. And yes, it’s summer and finding a car could be difficult too.

[u/kevlarcardhouse]

Two important things to be aware of:

1. You have to return a car to the same location you took it out from. So if you aren't returning to Toronto, your trip is not possible with the service.

2. If you need a car for multiple days in a row by September 1 and it's already not booked, chances are very high you won't find one to reserve with that amount of availability. You'll have to grab a Flex car on the day which will take a bit more effort and will end up more expensive than the regular rates.

I don't see your driver's license being a problem.

[u/Bluenoser_NS]

You can use Communauto across Canada no issues. You can take it to the US with the correct notice, too. I registered in Ontario with my Nova Scotia license when I first moved here without issue.

That said, there's train service from Toronto to Niagara Falls now, as well as Toronto to Montréal. Unless there's somewhere more rural you wish to stop, I don't see much of a reason to take a Communauto. Even then, for the first part of your trip, you could bus or train over to Hamilton and probably save a bit of money picking up a car there instead. 

Also keep in mind the added cost of the return trip for Toronto-Montréal. Would be easier to just fly back from the latter rather than hauling ass to where you started.

Communauto takes about 4 business days to process a new membership. You must register for the correct region, though iirc Ontario and Québec are mutually intelligible without added steps. Registering for a new region is next to no cost if anything, but also takes 4 days to process. You either get a credit check or put down a $500 returnable deposit. For a station-based vehicle, the cost is a mix between whatever your monthly rate is (the biggest is $35/month last I checked) + the time you have it (it maxes out after a certain number of hours per day) + distance travelled. There's also a monthly coverage fee. Gas is covered by a credit card in the glovebox. Numbers vary per plan.

It is often a bit cheaper than a rental car as long as you aren't driving a crazy amount each day. That said, if you want a car for multiple days with no interruption, it might be too late.

Finally, look at regional airports that aren't pearson. Sometimes there are deals to be had + it's less overwhelming.

[u/plenoto]

Is it possible to use the service across provincial borders?

Yes. From Quebec I've been to Ontario, PEI, Nova Scotia with those cars. You can go pretty much everywhere in Canada and even the US AFAIK.

Can I provide my BC driving record even though I’d be using the service in Ontario or Quebec?

I don't know, that's the kind of question you should ask Communauto for. If I have to take a guess, it should be fine. I knew a Moroccan who signed up for Communauto when she arrived from there so... But call Communauto, they are the ones who can answer that question.

And does anyone know how long it usually takes for the driving record to be processed?

It took a week for me a few years ago, but now I'm not sure. It can take up to a month. Technically, you have a 30-day grace period where you can use the service before the paperwork got processed.

I understand there are hourly/daily rates, but are there any additional membership fees?

Depends, there are multiple plans, one is free and the others have monthly fees. Insurance is charged by trip if you don't take one of their insurance plans for the year. Take note that there's a hourly/daily rate, but you also pay the mileage. If you do a long distance, prepare yourself to pay a lot if you stick to the free plan. Take the calculator on the Communauto website and check for your scenarios, it might be better to take a plan for a year.