Landing question - Vehical registration

[canadiann]

I am planning to land via buffalo-driving this month. Do I need to have any other documents pertaining my car except the registration/ title and insurance. Also, I read somewhere that we need to take driving history along with us to convert US license to Canadian. Is that true?

thank you for your replies.

 

[mtlguy]

R u importing ur car into Canada? If so, you will have to go through a process...if u r simply landing in canada and will be returning to USA then u r fine.

 

[cchabert]

Yes you'll need to bring your driving record to exchange your driver license, if not you will need to do the driving and writing test.

 

[canadiann]

yes I want to import my car to Canada along with me and I am not returning back. How do i get the driving record, from state vehicle administration? How long can I drive my car with US tag & title and US driving license? Also, do I need to report here in the US before importing the car to Canada?

i appreciate your replies.

 

[mtlguy]

yes I want to import my car to Canada along with me and I am not returning back. How do i get the driving record, from state vehicle administration? How long can I drive my car with US tag & title and US driving license? Also, do I need to report here in the US before importing the car to Canada?

i appreciate your replies.

The Registrar of imported vehicles website provides you with all the information regarding importing your car from USA to canada.

The car will be a part of your goods hence you do not have to pay any duty towards it. You will need the paperwork from the border to go through the federal inspection and provincial inspection before you can register your car in canada.

You have upto 60 days to exchange your license and register your car in canada. Before leaving USA ensure that you get a copy of your DRIVING ABSTRACT from the local dmv. Just visit the dmv website and download the form reqd for driving abstract, drive to the dmv and provide them with ur ID and $10 and they print you out a DRIVING ABSTRACT. pls note that you cannot purchase insurance in canada without this document.

Also e-mail your current insurance company to provide you with an insurance claims history. If you are with geico, they can provide your history for upto 5 yrs which is what is required.

If you have any questions abt imporating the car, i'll be glad to explain further.

Good luck!!

 

[mtlguy]

http://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx


http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5048-eng.html

go through the above 2 websites and the process should be clear.

 

[canadiann]

thanks mtlguy, for the detail information. It's a great help.
I have changed my insurance company almost every year in the US. That means, I need to get 5 years of claim history contacting those 4-5 insurance company?

thanks.

 

[mtlguy]

thanks mtlguy, for the detail information. It's a great help.
I have changed my insurance company almost every year in the US. That means, I need to get 5 years of claim history contacting those 4-5 insurance company?

thanks.

So did I...but my last insurance company was Geico who sent me a letter through e-mail providing any claims ref for upto 5 years. I believe most insurance companies can pull your history for upto 5 yrs and provide the records in the letter.

Basically the insurance companies here want to know that you have had continous insurance, minimal claims and offense/accidents.

Getting this letter could take a week or more so plan it in advance.

Good luck

 

[cchabert]

Well the guys of Liberty Mutual don't gave any letter, after yelling, crying, etc. they just email me on PDF my insurance summary >:-/

 

[mtlguy]

ur insurance summary should list the period you were insured through their firm, any accidents, claims and tickets. Thats good enough!!!

 

[canadiann]

any reason why auto insurance in Canada is way higher than that in the US? I just got few quotes from canadian auto insurance co. which is almost 7-8 times higher that I have been paying in the US.

 

[mtlguy]

yep...its just freaking expensive!!! donno why...which province are you moving to?

 

[canadiann]

I'm moving to Ontario.

thanks

 

[mtlguy]

If you have shortlisted or selected the financial institution for banking, get a quote from them. RBC, TD and i believe most other major banks offer Home, auto and travel insurance.

 

[optimusprime]

I am moving to Canada from the US (California).

We have a car to import to Canada but we are not planning to drive the car to Canada. We are flying instead. So my option would be to just ship the car. Any good car/auto shipping that you can suggest?

Thanks in advance.