2007-04-30 09:41:30 · 5 answers · asked by bogus bob 1 in Travel ➔ Canada ➔ Other - Canada
Very interesting question!
Unfortunately I have not looked up the law, but my husband was told by Canada customs once that it wasn't legal for him to drive my vehicle in Canada, that if he got stopped in it, it would be impounded.
Well, he has been in two situations where police were involved, one was an accident, the other a speeding violation, and both times the fact he was driving a car from and licensed in the U.S. was never mentioned.
Once he drove it, with me sitting in passenger seat next to him, as we crossed the border into Canada, and THAT won't happen again! My goodness! We were taken in and interogated together and separately for over an hour ... something that had not previously happened on the Canadian side at all in hundreds of crossings!
I have not had any trouble bringing my vehicle over at all, and I have lived here (in Canada) over a year. No import, or anything ... but then I don't have my permanent residency yet and it's still licensed in the U.S.
Sorry, this doesn't really answer your question ... just sharing personal experience in regards to this "law".
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2007-04-30 12:55:20 · answer #1 · answered by Pichi 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is a stupid law. They basically want you to have it inspected and conformed to the canadian standards if it is going to stay in canada for awhile or indefinately. Beleive it or not, US cars are a hot commodity (intact or in parts, beware they are stolen often!) and I had more trouble getting my vehicle across the border than me! and I am immigrating! Visit the Registrar of Imported Vehicles of Canada. Plug that sentence into any search engine and it will come up. Or just type in www.riv.ca. That will do it. If you plan on importing it to canada do yourself a huge favor and send the title to the US border crossing before you arrive. They will hold the title for 3 business days. If the canadian border patrol is having a bad day they will not let you take your car with you and the Impound fees are 10 bucks a day + 40 bucks processing or something. Save yourself the impound fees. Then you will have to take the title (which the US border has stamped and cleared for exportation) to the Canadian border for the importation clearance. You must bring the car and title at this time because it is a physical inspection. They hand you a little paperwork and they stamp the title too. You will spend about an hour at the canadian border for this. Then you can bring your car in. Kapeesh? :)
2007-04-30 10:10:02 · answer #2 · answered by berriebush 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, your question is confusing. And the 2 prior Answerers confused.
You use the word "americans" - do you mean the possesive ("American's")? If so, you may indeed drive an American's car in Canada if it is properly insured and the owner has given you authorization. You just cannot bring it over the border if the American owner or his American designate is not with you. Canada customs may give you a waiver for a few days in exceptional circumstances.
2007-04-30 12:11:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I don't understand your question. I would think it has to do with the wordings of insurance, not law. We are not talking of a car that is brought up her to be left, but a car that is going back with the owner, right? If my cousin brings her car up here from the US on holiday, I can drive it, and be covered by her insurance on the car, and my liability, which is higher coverage then hers. My nephew can't drive it, he is under age for her insurance. If she comes up by air, she can drive my car and be covered by my insurance.
2007-04-30 11:02:22 · answer #4 · answered by Fred C 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Because of boring things like insurance laws, traffic regulations, car specs etc.
Oh, and the yankees don't meet emission standards.
2007-04-30 18:07:22 · answer #5 · answered by CanadianFundamentalist 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋