Driving a car with US plates in Ontario with a 2-year work permit

[xsrevelo01]

Hello,

I am moving to Toronto from the US wih a 2-year work permit (not a US citizen) and plan to bring my car that currently has US plates which are valid for 1 year. I understand I have to "temporarily import" my car into Canada and have 60 days to register the car in Ontario and obtain the drivers license. The first question I have is whether it will be a problem to temporarily import a car that has a lien on the title (financed with a US institution).

Second, I was wondering if I can keep my US plates and insurance since I will be crossing the border frequently (will come back to the US once a month). I know the law says that one must register the car within 60 days of arriving to Ontario, but Does this timing "reset" every time you cross the border?

In terms of car insurance, my provider can cover me while in Canada for 1 month. I am thinking of using the same logic and obtain a new "canadian card" every time I visit the US.

Any potential problems of doing this? I do not want to disobey any laws but it will extremely cheaper to keep US insurance. Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Thanks!
Xavier

 

[AllisonVSC]

I can reply to only the first issue. It is up to the lien holder to decide whether they will permit you to export the car. You will need a letter from them (on company letterhead) giving permission to allow the car out of the US.

 

[kumbu.bumbu]

Looks tricky. I may be wrong, this is how I interpret.

To import you have to pay a fees and will get the import forms. It has a validity of certain days. Each time you enter if you have US plates you are importing the car, so you have to pay import fee. You can avoid import fee if you are visiting Canada not coming to work for two years. If you pay import fee every time it would offset cheap US insurance.

Unless you keep your US address you cannot have US plates or Insurance. If nothing happens you are good. If some thing happens and there is an investigation all the rules will come in play.

 

[xsrevelo01]

Thank you for all the responses.

I thought that someone living in Canada with a temporary status (such as with a work permit) does not have to "import" a car (RIV process).

My understanding was that "visitors, for a period of 12 months or less; temporary residents such as students studying at an institution for their studies in Canada; or individuals with valid work permits for a period of 36 months or less" are exempt from the importation process. Instead they must "temporarily import". Am I mistaken? See: http://www.riv.ca/RIVExemptions.aspx

 

[PMM]

HI

Thank you for all the responses.

I thought that someone living in Canada with a temporary status (such as with a work permit) does not have to "import" a car (RIV process).

My understanding was that "visitors, for a period of 12 months or less; temporary residents such as students studying at an institution for their studies in Canada; or individuals with valid work permits for a period of 36 months or less" are exempt from the importation process. Instead they must "temporarily import". Am I mistaken? See: http://www.riv.ca/RIVExemptions.aspx

No, you are correct.

 

[xsrevelo01]

HI



No, you are correct.

Thanks PPM,

Do you know if the 2-month period of grace before one must register a car in Ontario will "reset" every time one crosses the US-CAnada border? Tricky question?

Thanks again,
Xavier

 

[jes_ON]

Do you know if the 2-month period of grace before one must register a car in Ontario will "reset" every time one crosses the US-CAnada border? Tricky question?

Wishful thinking It's 2 months from the time you establish residence in Ontario. Border crossings are CBSA (Federal) jurisdiction, licensing is the province's...

It's a brutal adjustment, but you should start to come to terms with your new insurance premiums...

 

[kumbu.bumbu]

Thank you for all the responses.

I thought that someone living in Canada with a temporary status (such as with a work permit) does not have to "import" a car (RIV process).

My understanding was that "visitors, for a period of 12 months or less; temporary residents such as students studying at an institution for their studies in Canada; or individuals with valid work permits for a period of 36 months or less" are exempt from the importation process. Instead they must "temporarily import". Am I mistaken? See: http://www.riv.ca/RIVExemptions.aspx

I did not know.

It's a brutal adjustment, but you should start to come to terms with your new insurance premiums...

Yes. It looks like time resets. But technically you started living in Canada from your first entry. You are not coming back with new work permit. You are living in Canada for two years and visiting US during your work permit.