you will need to go to the RIV site and check out the import eligibility of your specific car. all the information is there, and it depends on the make/model/year. Also, whether there are any recalls on the car will determine if it can be imported. the exporting/importing process involves a lot of little steps, and it STARTS with Exporting it from the US. there are threads on the settlement board about this process. Generally, it's only the DTL that needs to be installed, and they are not the first step in the process. it's actually one of the last to be done, and shouldn't be done until AFTER the import has been started. What happens is the RIV will release the car report for you to bring to an authorized inspection place (most likely a canadian tire), they will examine the car, do the repairs and the import inspection. There is a form that needs to be filled out by the place that does the repairs. Most US dealerships/mechanics don't know about DTL, and will look at you like you're crazy. Canadian dealerships will most likely refer you to canadian tire, because it is known they are responsible for RIV inspections.
i would highly recommend waiting to import your car until you get PR. as a newcomer to canada, you would be exempt from paying duty/taxes on the import. If you plan to "sell" it to your husband, he would not be exempt from taxes unless he is resettling in canada as well. the taxes i'm sure can be quite expensive, and in my experience it's worth waiting until PR is approved to initiate the export/import.