Travellers on BC Ferries no longer allowed to stay in cars on enclosed decks, Transport Canada says. Transport Canada is rescinding the temporary COVID-19 response measure it granted BC Ferries in the spring that allowed passengers to remain in their vehicles.

Whether you can sleep in your car on a BC Ferry depends entirely on which deck your vehicle is parked on. According to Transport Canada regulations, passengers are strictly prohibited from staying in their vehicles on "enclosed" car decks while the ferry is in motion for safety reasons (risk of fire or emergency entrapment). If you are parked on an enclosed lower deck, you must exit your car and move to the passenger lounges or upper decks. However, on "open" or "upper" car decks that are not enclosed, you are permitted to remain in your vehicle. This means if you are lucky enough to be directed to an open-air deck, you can indeed take a nap in your car during the crossing. In 2026, BC Ferries and Transport Canada continue to enforce this rule with regular patrols, and non-compliance can result in fines or a travel ban. For those on longer routes like the "Inside Passage," specific rules apply, but for the main routes between Vancouver and the Island, the deck type is the deciding factor.