Bringing car to Indiana dilemma

I'm going to be starting a 4 year degree in Indianapolis starting in July (F1 visa) but not sure what the best way to have a car there would be. My options right now are to (1) drive my car from Alberta to Indiana or (2) buy a used car there.

I've read that if someone is staying in the US for up to a year they don't need to formally import their car...but since I know that I am staying for at least 4 years should I import it now, at the beginning of my degree, or can I wait a year, drive it in Indiana for the year with Canadian plates/registration etc, and then import it while I'm in Indiana?

Or is it a whole lot easier just to buy something there? Would I be able to use my Alberta DL etc?
Thanks

First you'll want to check the laws for Indiana, each state is different. Google "DMV Indiana"

Some states require that you register the car in-state within 30 to 90 days. Some allow one year, so it's best to find out the state laws before you make any decisions.

Some States have an exemption for students, but the Federal law requires it to be formally imported if you're staying for more than a year, so it's probably better to do the import. You'll need the original bill of sale in order to be able to get an Indiana title and register it there, plus the CBP HS-7 form or whatever it's called which shows the car has been imported.

When I did it they conditionally allowed it in for the EPA test (which is a joke) so then you have to go to the local CBP office with that paperwork to finish the import, then you can go and get the title from the DMV.

But you need to check what the law is in Indiana for students, new residents, etc.

You'll have trouble with insurance if you take it out of Canada for more than a year, so you may as well change the registration.

Thanks for the reply. I think I'm well underway with my documentation for importing my car. Do you think I'll have any trouble with my car's odometer being in kilometers when I go to register it? Or do I just convert it myself to miles and tell them that?

Now I have some insurance questions...I'm currently with AMA in Alberta and they don't have any kind of sister-company in Indiana to switch over to. So would it be better for me to change insurance while I'm still in Alberta to let's say, State Farm or All State and then transfer it over to them in Indiana or just to pick a new insurance company.

I'll still have my Alberta driver's licence so I'll probably be limited as to who will insure my car.

Any suggestions? Thanks

Do you think I'll have any trouble with my car's odometer being in kilometers when I go to register it? Or do I just convert it myself to miles and tell them that?

Just tell them what it is in km and miles.

Now I have some insurance questions...I'm currently with AMA in Alberta and they don't have any kind of sister-company in Indiana to switch over to. So would it be better for me to change insurance while I'm still in Alberta to let's say, State Farm or All State and then transfer it over to them in Indiana or just to pick a new insurance company.

This depends on State law, at some point in the process the State usually wants to see proof of insurance, if you've just moved there, there's usually a grace period of a few weeks and you get a temporary registration, or they cancel it if you don't show proof in x number of days. So basically you need to get insurance in Indiana.

I'll still have my Alberta driver's licence so I'll probably be limited as to who will insure my car.

Any suggestions? Thanks

Get an Indiana DL. Frankly you should do that first, not last.