Moving my car to the US with me

Hello all! New to the site but have spent the last few hours reading the posts and already feel like I've learned so much in terms of the little things I should do to make my coming transition that much easier, so thank-you!

I am a Torontonian moving to South Florida through my company and wanted to know if anyone has any insights in moving their car from Canada to the USA. Are there any tricks or tips one needs to know to do this? Or should I simply show up at my friendly neighbourhood DMV of Dade County and ask for help!?

Any insights would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I just moved to Ohio with my car in October. Are you planning on driving it over the border, or are you having it moved?

Either way, you're going to need an EPA/DOT form proving that your car isn't going to kill the environment. You can get this through your dealership, and it'll probably cost you around $75. Do it as soon as possible, as it might take a while to arrive.

I drove mine, and crossed at Fort Erie. At the border, I filled out importation forms. When I settled in Columbus, I headed down to the BMV to register. You'll need your DOT form there too, as well as your current Ontario title. They'll do a quick inspection of the car, title you in the state, and issue you tags.

If you're having someone else transport it, you'll need to give them all forms and proof of ownership so that they can import it for you. Your transport company will be able to tell you what they need.

I found it really helpful to email / phone the state BMV beforehand just to make sure that I had all the paperwork they needed.

You may have to get your odometer changed out due to the fact that it displays kilometers / hour as the primary display, even if it also displays miles / hour - but that really depends on state laws. I didn't.

One thing to consider is insurance - your Canadian company won't be able to insure you in the US. And since you have no driving record in the US, your rate will be a little high at first. As well, your insurance company in the US will require you to get a US license in order for them to insure you. In Ohio, they have all non-US citizens sit through both a written and a road test, but that might be different in Florida.

I guess the best advice I have for you would be to get in contact with the Florida BMV and ask them what they'll need before you even cross the border.

Florida recognises Canadian DLs, it's a simple swap. They used to require the driver's test for all out-of-state residents moving there but they scrapped it after I moved there. Moreover, Florida is one of only a few States that actually recognises Canadian citizenship as a reason to get a DL, however if you show up with only your passport, your licence will be restricted to one year validity (take your I-94).

I'm not entirely sure you need to get the EPA certificate prior to entering the US, I imported a car once into the US and there's an EPA inspection station near the Port of Miami, I took it there to have it done. They just check the emissions and issue you a certificate and you submit that with the import paperwork to US Customs. However this was about fifteen years ago, things might have changed since then.

Be careful when registering the car. If your insurance is invalid your registration and DL are automatically suspended. Car insurance is pretty expensive but getting a Canadian record of your insurance history should help.

I can't remember if they still issue temporary tags at the DMV, they used to, but I think only dealers issue temporary tags now. If they do you get the license plate in the mail, but I'm pretty sure last time I did it they gave me the plate. There are about a zillion different ones to choose from, it's worth going to the DMV as the large offices have sample plates on the wall.

if you are leasing your car you need to get permision from the company leasing the car too you to take it across the border. If you own it you need the title to register it - get a drivers license record and rememer Insurance in the states is partially based on credit score of which you have none here so your insurance will be high for a while until you gain a credit score

US car insurance companies do not recognise previous CDN driving history, as we found out when we moved here May 2007! You will ost likely not be able to take your vehicle unless you opay off any financing, whether its a bank loan or a lease, as the company will not let you take it out of the country.

If you should need any assistance with having your car transported, we are a driveaway service and provide a very economical way to have your car taken to Florida for you. Cheaper than transport truck.

If you are interested, we are at 647-241-4181 or 941-373-5658.

Best of Luck,

Darren

Cars To Florida

US car insurance companies do not recognise previous CDN driving history, as we found out when we moved here May 2007! You will ost likely not be able to take your vehicle unless you opay off any financing, whether its a bank loan or a lease, as the company will not let you take it out of the country.

Well, unless you have insurance in Canada and just switch it to a US office. I did that with State Farm. I had State Farm insurance in Canada, and when I moved to the US and was added to my husband's insurance, I just took them a copy of my Ontario driver abstract record, and showed them a copy of my previous insurance and they gave us the insured rate, rather than the not previously insured rate.

Progressive insurance does recognize your canadian insurance! so try them.

They recognised my insurance, but it was many years ago now and I can't remember which insurance company I used, Allstate I think.

Hi, I am new to the site, but had to join to help you out as I am working on getting my Ontario car registered in Florida.

A few things you should know, which I didn't.

If you are driving across the border you should contact that border crossing and make an appointment to have you car imported at that time. It will save you a hassle later. You should obtain a letter from the car manufacturer which states if the car is EPA and DOT compliant. This letter will cost you nothing. If it is not compliant, then I'm not sure where to go from there. You will need the Ontario Registration, the letter, and the vehicle. By "You" I mean the registered owner of the car, no one else will do. When you call to make your appointment they can tell you if there is anything else you will need. CBP will give you paperwork which quotes the 'fair market value' of your car. They get this from the Kelley Blue Book website under the Trade-In Fair value. DO NOT LOSE THIS PAPERWORK!

If you car was not manufactured in Canada, USA or Mexico you will have to pay duty on it.

When you get to Florida you'll need to call the local tax collector's office (DMV) and find out if you have to have your VIN verified by one of their field agents. I live in the Tampa Bay area and I was required to do this.

You'll need to get Florida insurance, be prepared, it's quite a bit more expensive. We transferred our State Farm from Ottawa to here.

Then you go to a Tax Collector's office with your Ontario registration, CBP paperwork, VIN verification form, Driver's license, current odometer reading and Proof of Florida Insurance.

If you plan to get your Florida DL at the same time make sure you have your passport and any immigration documents that you have. The license will only be good for one year and it will say temporary on it.

At the tax collector's office you will be required to pay tax, big surprise I know. They will charge you a minimum of 6% on the fair market value that CBP assigns to your vehicle. You should also be aware that the county you are moving to may add an additional tax on top of that. Around Tampa Bay it is an additional 1%.

That should be it. It will probably be harder for you to get your DL than to register your car. Be aware you are also required to pay a $100 fee on top of normal registration costs because you are adding a vehicle to the roads of the state.

I hope this is helpful!