Bringing a car into the US

[Ludwig von Dracula]

I'm wondering if any Canadians (or others) can share their experience of bringing their car into the United States for several years. What kind of insurance will I need to get and what are the prices like? Will my Canadian driver's licence be OK, and what happens when I need to renew it?

Becoming an international student certainly has its share of little complexities...

[beanbagchairs]

Each state has its own rules and regulation regarding driver's license. So, you should check with the specific state you are going to live in. I imagine they will honor your Canadian driver's license and supply an equivalent US driver's license. I have no experience in this though.

You may want to check this out:

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Foreign_Visitors_Driving.shtml

[robot_hamster]

I think you just have to get a new driver's license by going to the DMV and showing them that you have a Canadian license, but it might be different from state to state. As far as insurance goes, this can depend too. Some states require you to have a minimum amount, others don't. Prices are going to vary from place to place and policy to policy. My husband and I insure 2 vehicles for about $300 each month. I think we went with a lower total coverage amount, which probably isn't wise but we can't afford the higher rates.

[dramanda]

I'm in California. Although I had my full Canadian license, I had to re-do a driving test to get a California license. Bummer.

[Ludwig von Dracula]

Thanks for the replies. I really hope I don't have to redo my driving test, for goodness' sake...and $300 for two vehicles definitely sounds more expensive than what we paid in Manitoba (which has a government monopoly on auto insurance, no less--I'm going to miss my social democratic safety net!). Oh well, the experience of living in another country for a few years will be rewarding despite the red tape and minor annoyances.

[Eisenmann]

Don't know what kind of car you have, but I would imagine some cars may be more difficult than others. We don't have some models here eg skyline, focus rs. those cars may not pass smog.

[robot_hamster]

Oops, I just realized I wrote $300 each month. I meant $300 every six month period. Gosh! That would be insane if it was $300 a month! LOL! Sorry!

[Ludwig von Dracula]

Oops, I just realized I wrote $300 each month. I meant $300 every six month period. Gosh! That would be insane if it was $300 a month! LOL! Sorry!

OK, good! That's comforting...

[cndngrl21]

If you are happy with your Canadian insurance, you might just keep everything as is. When you are a student and not an immigrant you can keep a Canadian address as the main address, and then you put a secondary address as where you will park it in the US. Then you don't have the hassle of changing everything back and forth, especially if you have to take a test to change your license in the state you're moving to. I had my car in California for about 4 years like this with no problems. When I had a car accident (the other driver's fault) my insurance even hired a local person to assist me, rather than try to help me over the phone all the time.