Last updated: 29 July 2026
Collecting the Car
Montreal-Trudeau keeps its rental counters and vehicles on the airport site, signposted from the arrivals level. Pickup is on foot rather than by shuttle for the on-airport brands.
Quebec's Winter Tyre Law Works in Your Favour Here
Under Quebec's Highway Safety Code, every passenger vehicle registered in the province must be fitted with tyres bearing the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol from 1 December to 15 March. Fines run $200 to $300 plus fees, and police enforce it with roadside checks.
The practical consequence for a visitor is straightforward: a rental collected at YUL is a Quebec-registered vehicle, so it will already comply. You do not need to request winter tyres or pay extra for them in that window — they are legally required equipment. Studded tyres are separately permitted between 15 October and 1 May.
The reverse is where people get caught. A car rented in Toronto and driven into Quebec sits outside the mandate because it is registered in Ontario, where no such law exists. If your trip runs west to east in winter, the Ontario pickup is the weaker option.
Driving Away from YUL
The airport sits in Dorval, west of downtown, on Highway 20. Highway 40, the Metropolitan, runs east-west across the island and is the route towards Quebec City; Highway 15 heads north into the Laurentians. Road signage in Quebec is in French, including regulatory signs — arrêt for stop and sortie for exit are the two worth knowing before you set off.
Compare Providers at YUL
| Provider | Coverage | Best For | Book Now |
|---|---|---|---|
 Economybookings.com | Covers Canada among 150+ countries — 800+ rental companies, 20,000+ pickup points | Seeing the widest range of offers in Canada in one search | Check Prices |
 QEEQ | Covers Canada among ~200 countries — 1,000+ rental partners | Price Drop Protector — automatic rebooking if the rate falls before pickup | Check Prices |
 AutoEurope | Books Canada through its broker network — ~190 countries, 28,000 pickup points | One-way routes and major-brand counters in Canada | Check Prices |
 Europcar (US & Canada) | Own airport desks in Canada — direct supplier, not a broker | A car guaranteed by the supplier itself at Canada airport desks | Check Prices |
Driving in Montreal
See our Montreal car hire guide for local driving rules and the best routes out of the city.