Driving

Vehicles were used for military maneuvers and demonstrations when not in use in the field. This group of touring cars and military trucks were used by Canadian soldiers in maneuvers at Camp Hughes, Manitoba. In the other photos, the Duchess and Princess of Connaught were transported alongside the Duke of Connaught for a demonstration in Vernon, British Columbia in 1916.

Vehicles like bikes, tanks, and armoured trucks and cars were used in the field throughout the First World War. They were extremely important in the continuation of the war. as they moved people, weapons and supplies.

Personal motorized vehicles were a luxury few Canadians could afford at the start of the twentieth century. Many owners enjoyed showing off their vehicles, like the farmers posed inside their vehicles in these photos. 

Trucks and other vehicles were utilized as parade floats during the First World War. The first photo is a decorated truck on parade for Lambton county's 149th Battalion, in Plympton-Wyoming, Ontario.

Gasoline was a controlled good during the Second World War, The selling and buying of gasoline was done through the use of ration coupon books like the ones here, and were intended to prevent its hoarding or wasting given the limited availability of gasoline during wartime. 

Gasoline coupons were linked to a single vehicle, the plate of which was recorded at the front of the license. However, only the owner of the vehicle was allowed to make use of the ration coupons to buy gasoline, which had to be intended for that car only, and not for any other purposes or activities. 

The federal government placed strict limits on the purchase of gasoline during the Second World War, but extra fuel could be made available under special circumstances.

Hitch-hiking was very common in the 1940s and this sign, placed on the car's dashboard or glued to a window, indicated that the driver was happy to give a ride to anyone in uniform.

To achieve an effective blackout, the BC government issued this pamphlet to instruct drivers on modifying their cars, motorcycles, and bicycles by masking the headlights.

The operator of this commercial vehicle was allowed 200 units of fuel each year. Each coupon bore the vehicle license plate number, to guard against misuse.

Ration coupons were a coveted necessity for civilians. This is an example of "Special, Category A" coupons which governed vehicle licencing and gasoline allotments.