Posted on: 31-05-04 17:08:46
Hi all. I have a Toyota Corolla 2002 model (like most desis 
)... Well, I plan to drive it into Canada. I looked up the list of admissible vehicles on the RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles) website (www.riv.ca), and found that my car is in fact admissible.
But again, I also noticed a lot of people saying that its expensive to import your car that way. Especially paying for modifications etc.
1. Can someone give me an idea as to what these modifications are? Also, how much does it cost to get them done (just an approximate range). Do cars that are admissible still require the modifications?
2. About Title: I have a loan payment going on for my car. Does that mean I have to pay-off my loan in full in order to obtain the title papers for my car? Is that a legal requirement to pay-off your loans before leaving the US, or can I keep making payments from Canada?
3. Is there any pre-requisites from US side that I need to fulfill? Anything that I need to get from the DMV here as a clearance?
4. About Insurance: Will my auto-insurance in USA keep me covered even when I am driving in Canada, or do I have to purchase new insurance as soon as I get into Canada?
5. Any other tips concerning this topic will be really appreciated.
Thanks a lot in advance,
Aseem.
1. Can someone give me an idea as to what these modifications are? Also, how much does it cost to get them done (just an approximate range). Do cars that are admissible still require the modifications?
2. About Title: I have a loan payment going on for my car. Does that mean I have to pay-off my loan in full in order to obtain the title papers for my car? Is that a legal requirement to pay-off your loans before leaving the US, or can I keep making payments from Canada?
YES it is important to pay off the loan fully to have a clear title of the car with you. Secondly, there shd be no problem in making payments from Canada towards your loan. Proabably the situation could change if you get out of status in the US and have to leave the country.
3. Is there any pre-requisites from US side that I need to fulfill? Anything that I need to get from the DMV here as a clearance?
Check your drivers license validity, other than that I didnt get any clearance from the DMV.
4. About Insurance: Will my auto-insurance in USA keep me covered even when I am driving in Canada, or do I have to purchase new insurance as soon as I get into Canada?
Yes inquire if your insurance company provides a canadian insurance card to enable you to drive in canada. This is not clear because people have debated regarding the fact that you have to hand over your US drivers licence on becoming a PR, so am not exasctly sure.
5. Any other tips concerning this topic will be
Yeah, get a drivers abstract from the Insurance company or your local dmv that will help in getting some auto insurance concessions when ultimately you decide to surrender your US drivers license and take a G drivers license.
Regards
With regards to item 4 about insurance, be careful if you insured with Geico. Their insurance is valid if you drive your own car, but not if you drive a rental car. Just something to keep in mind.
Regards.
Quote:
Orginally posted by aseem_mal
Hi all. I have a Toyota Corolla 2002 model (like most desis
But again, I also noticed a lot of people saying that its expensive to import your car that way. Especially paying for modifications etc.
1. Can someone give me an idea as to what these modifications are? Also, how much does it cost to get them done (just an approximate range). Do cars that are admissible still require the modifications?.
You have to pay a fee of $180 at the POE to RIV.
Modifications include things like : DayTime Running lights ($150 approx.), Child restraint hook to be kept in the car ($7), Safety Inspection fees ($75 -100 approx.), Tyres ($325 approx. if its not in good condition). You may have to go for all season tyres then, otherwise they will not give you the inspection certificate. These are some basic things that one need to get done... it depends on car to car.
Since you have newer car, your car may have already some of these things. Do verify.
Quote:
2. About Title: I have a loan payment going on for my car. Does that mean I have to pay-off my loan in full in order to obtain the title papers for my car? Is that a legal requirement to pay-off your loans before leaving the US, or can I keep making payments from Canada?.
Option 1 : If the remaining loan amount is not much and you can afford to pay it off in the US, that will be the best option and then you can obtain a clear title on the car.
Option 2 : If you can't repay the loan amount then check with your lender/bank if they operate from Canada. If yes, then talk with them to see what is the best workable solution for you.
Note : Don't try to convert USD loan to CND loan amt. after coming here. You may loose lot of money in conversion and may land up paying a higher amt. towards loan.
Option 3 : If your lender / bank doesn't operate in Canada then you probably have to re-finance your car with a lender in Canada.
Yes, you may keep paying your US loan amount from Canada. But earning in CND and paying in USD may pinch you.
Please Note : Its just my opinion, may or may not be applicable in your case.
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3. Is there any pre-requisites from US side that I need to fulfill? Anything that I need to get from the DMV here as a clearance?.
If you don't have a clear title, you have to get a letter from your lender/bank saying that they are aware that you are exporting the car to Canada. More specific details your lender would know.
Quote:
4. About Insurance: Will my auto-insurance in USA keep me covered even when I am driving in Canada, or do I have to purchase new insurance as soon as I get into Canada?
5. Any other tips concerning this topic will be really appreciated.
Thanks a lot in advance,
Aseem.
Yes.. most of the insurance will but again check with your insurance agent.
Try to get a Driver's abstract from the local DMV.
In Canada, car insurance are very high and you are looking at paying anywhere between $3600 - $5500 CND / year towards your car insurance. There are lot of factors that decides your premium amount.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Aparna.
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