Here's part of the continuation of my export/import story.
The RIV inspection took about 4...maybe 5 minutes.
I walked into Canadian Tire, found the guy, he asked me to show him the car.
He was looking at/for the following (as per my RIV inspection form...Form 2):
- Did you convert your car into a motorhome or travel van? Nope.
- Does it have a lift kit? (lift kit = no-go when it comes to importing into Canada)
- Metric speedometer? Check!
- Attach a miles odometer label if required (They should have done this to mine, but they didn't)
- Is there a french SRS maintenance label? Check! Thanks Volvo. If yours doesn't, you can get one from the appropriate dealership ($20ish but...I've heard of people printing their own on label paper and putting it on their car somewhere. Google it - there is an image out there somewhere.
- Functioning airbags? How would they know this without connecting to an OBD system? I didn't see the guy check on that and he certainly didn't connect my car to an OBD reader. (My airbags function as far as I know)
- Something about clutch interlocks for manual transmissions. Did not apply to me.
- Statement of Compliance Label? Check!
- Daytime running lights? Check!
- Electronic immobilizer system? WTF is that? Only applies to cars built after 2007 and with GWVR of under 10,000 lbs.
That was pretty much it.
He stamped the Form 2 and my Form 1 (white and gold copies are all that's left on your Form 1 at this point. White is for the MTO/province when you register and gold is for you because at this point you should be golden). He kept Form 2 and faxed it to RIV after I took a picture of it with my cell phone. A few hours later, I checked my case status on the RIV website using my Form 1 number and last 6 of my VIN, and it said that I was being sent a compliance sticker in the mail.
Reflective moment/inner monologue: Looking back and digging around online makes me think that I was supposed to get Form 2 returned to me even though the car passed and RIV's site says I've "successfully complete the inspection." Wondering if the MTO needs that form or if they can look it up to see my car passed. Hmmmmm. (Will let you know about that one. Or someone chime in and let us know.)
Pro tip: You don't have to wait for this compliance sticker to arrive in order to register your car in Ontario. Just bring your Form 1 with you when you register. (And maybe Form 2? Now I'm getting worried that I might need it - too late to call anybody about it right now.)
Now, as for the "order of operations" go when it comes to the whole export/import/inspect/register/insure thing, this is how I'm approaching/have approached it:
Export ($65USD for AES Direct)
Import ($199CAD + tax for RIV process - I didn't have to pay duty/taxes...you might have to.)
RIV Inspection (Included in RIV fee)
Safety + Emissions Inspection ($34CAD for emissions test and $94CAD for safety test)
Drivers License ($80CAD to exchange drivers license (good for 5 years) - does NOT include what it may cost you to prove two+ years of driving experience from your previous state, country, etc - my story on that will follow)
Insurance (I'm looking at $71/month)
Title/Plates/Registration ($98CAD for registration and $29CAD for plates. I'm adding my wife's name to the title, but I think that's free.)
As always, let me know if you have questions.
The RIV inspection took about 4...maybe 5 minutes.
I walked into Canadian Tire, found the guy, he asked me to show him the car.
He was looking at/for the following (as per my RIV inspection form...Form 2):
- Did you convert your car into a motorhome or travel van? Nope.
- Does it have a lift kit? (lift kit = no-go when it comes to importing into Canada)
- Metric speedometer? Check!
- Attach a miles odometer label if required (They should have done this to mine, but they didn't)
- Is there a french SRS maintenance label? Check! Thanks Volvo. If yours doesn't, you can get one from the appropriate dealership ($20ish but...I've heard of people printing their own on label paper and putting it on their car somewhere. Google it - there is an image out there somewhere.
- Functioning airbags? How would they know this without connecting to an OBD system? I didn't see the guy check on that and he certainly didn't connect my car to an OBD reader. (My airbags function as far as I know)
- Something about clutch interlocks for manual transmissions. Did not apply to me.
- Statement of Compliance Label? Check!
- Daytime running lights? Check!
- Electronic immobilizer system? WTF is that? Only applies to cars built after 2007 and with GWVR of under 10,000 lbs.
That was pretty much it.
He stamped the Form 2 and my Form 1 (white and gold copies are all that's left on your Form 1 at this point. White is for the MTO/province when you register and gold is for you because at this point you should be golden). He kept Form 2 and faxed it to RIV after I took a picture of it with my cell phone. A few hours later, I checked my case status on the RIV website using my Form 1 number and last 6 of my VIN, and it said that I was being sent a compliance sticker in the mail.
Reflective moment/inner monologue: Looking back and digging around online makes me think that I was supposed to get Form 2 returned to me even though the car passed and RIV's site says I've "successfully complete the inspection." Wondering if the MTO needs that form or if they can look it up to see my car passed. Hmmmmm. (Will let you know about that one. Or someone chime in and let us know.)
Pro tip: You don't have to wait for this compliance sticker to arrive in order to register your car in Ontario. Just bring your Form 1 with you when you register. (And maybe Form 2? Now I'm getting worried that I might need it - too late to call anybody about it right now.)
Now, as for the "order of operations" go when it comes to the whole export/import/inspect/register/insure thing, this is how I'm approaching/have approached it:
Export ($65USD for AES Direct)
Import ($199CAD + tax for RIV process - I didn't have to pay duty/taxes...you might have to.)
RIV Inspection (Included in RIV fee)
Safety + Emissions Inspection ($34CAD for emissions test and $94CAD for safety test)
Drivers License ($80CAD to exchange drivers license (good for 5 years) - does NOT include what it may cost you to prove two+ years of driving experience from your previous state, country, etc - my story on that will follow)
Insurance (I'm looking at $71/month)
Title/Plates/Registration ($98CAD for registration and $29CAD for plates. I'm adding my wife's name to the title, but I think that's free.)
As always, let me know if you have questions.