Bringing a Canadian Car over to the USA

[agnelson]

Most insurance policies require that your plates be valid to maintain valid coverage. All provinces have residency requirements to maintain plates valid. Also, all states have plating requirements for 'residents' which, if you work in the state and live there, you are a resident of the state.

So, even if you found such insuarnce, the likelihood that your car would be properly plated at the time of an accident are small.

-- Wed Sep 09, 2009 12:34 pm --

... and in any event you would need a new DL.

[Sholezard]

Ok - update for all of those who are (were) confused (like I was). I have JUST finished placing a call to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (after being on hold for over an hour) and have confirmed that as a visitor OR resident for a period of one-year, all Canadian registration, driver's license, insurance, and license plates are VALID for that period of time. Therefore, no registration, license, etc. needs to be transferred over to the State of MA! GREAT to know!!

Now if only I get the permission letter from my leased vehicle's company, I'm good to go!

[agnelson]

They can't really say that your insurance is valid; only your insurer can do that.

Nor can they say that your plates or DL remain valid, only your province can say that.

So, that doesn't really help you, does it.


... and if your TN extends to more than one year?

[Sholezard]

Agnelson, all I was trying to say is that one doesn't need to switch over from Canadian insurance, registration, license plate, driver's license, etc. to an American one if one is visiting or working for ONE YEAR. After that time period, it's up to the person to figure out what he/she wants to do (i.e. renew TN, etc.). In my case, my concern was only for that one-year period, since I'm there on a work permit. But thanks for your concern.

[agnelson]

have you checked with your insurance company. Most do not accept living in US for a year as a normal condition of your insurance, which was issued based on your living at your specific address.

And have you checked with Prov DMV to see if your DL, plates, and any govt autoplan will be valid for this long-term move to US.

All we are saying to you is that you MUST satisfy MANY jurisdictions to make this move, as well as your insuarnce firm, and, in your case your carmaker, since they still own the car.

What MA says is only a small part of the puzzle, and would apply f you were going down to US as a visitor or maybe a student.

[Steven]

If I was to obtain car insurance in Canada (that would cover me for the entire 1 year period that I'm in MA), would I then be required to obtain US plates, driver's license, registration, etc. in MA or can I get away with my Canadian equivalents?

Depends on Mass. State law. Some States have exemptions for students, but rarely foreign students. Usually there is some set period of 30-90 days where you have to register the car after becoming resident there. But "resident" is defined in many different ways in State laws I've looked at. If your principal residence is still Canada, maybe you're not a resident of MA.

You need to check with their DMV really for the lowdown on it.

Also there is the tax issue, some States (e.g. Florida) don't consider the car imported because it's a personal effect, so there is no sales tax. Some States only exempt vehicles from other States (e.g. Tennessee) so you have to pay sales tax if you register it there. Once again, check with the relevant agency in Massachusetts.

[Sholezard]

And have you checked with Prov DMV to see if your DL, plates, and any govt autoplan will be valid for this long-term move to US.

What MA says is only a small part of the puzzle, and would apply f you were going down to US as a visitor or maybe a student.

My province has told me that I basically have to comply with rules and regulations of the State that I'm moving to for the one-year period. The MVR of MA has told me that I don't need to convert to the US documentation for that time being, even if I'm not a student or a visitor. The duration that I'm in the US is what influenced the answer that I received.

[agnelson]

Soounds like you've done some good legwork.

Now "all" you have left is your insurance, and of course the automaker.

Just one question. How are you/Prov/MA going to document when your 1 year begins and ends, since you don't have to show anyone anything.