Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

[e30mclow]

All,

I've found a car in Georgia that I want to buy.
I am living in the US now, but I'm still on a Canadian License and have a Canadian Address and Car Insurance.

Hence, by "back" I mean that I'm actually driving the 9-10hours back to my place in NC, where the car will sit until I get around to changing over my license and insurance.

If my Canadian insurer (TD) will cover me and issue with me with a temporary certificate...am I good to go?
I've read about temp plates from the DMV, but not having an NC or Georgia license I don't see that happening..

[witchcraftz]

Re: Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

As long as you do all the paperwork 3 days ahead of time minimum! And make sure there are no recalls on the car! Realistically it will take you about 1 week to get the paperwork done.

Checkout my recent thread in Importing a car from the USA.

http://www.eurodrivers.ca/forums/sho...r-from-the-USA

[e30mclow]

Re: Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

I'm trying to skip the latter steps, as I won't be bringing the car to Canada.

I basically want to drive a US car from Georgia to North Carolina using my Canadian License and Insurance.
I called TD and they will cover me without issue.

It is simply the fact that if I'm pulled over for not having a plate, I will be able to produce a bill of sale, signed title and a Canadian Driver's License - Would I be in hot water?
Can I get temp plates without the export documents?

[MechEngg]

Re: Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

Can you throw your current AB plate on the vehicle when driving it back? I have seen people do that before (and know people who do it) when purchasing cars to just drive home or get it to an inspection facility. It's what i did when i flew to Manitoba to get my GLI, i used a currently registered plate and insurance for that registered vehicle, as long as they matched and the insured person was the one driving the vehicle the insurance company was fine with it as long as we gave them notice of the exact days we would be swapping the plate/insurance around.

[e30mclow]

Re: Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

That's what I was thinking too...just put the AB plate on and not drive like an idiot.

[firestarter]

Re: Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

Phone your insurance company and let them know you are going to be picking up a car and driving it bak, they will insure it, and when they ask for an inspection is 14 days, tell them you sold it because it was a Raging POS or somthing haha.

[Red90]

Re: Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

You guys are not reading..... He is NEVER planning to import or drive it into Canada. He is buying in the US and driving in the US.

What is stopping you from getting US insurance and registration? That would be the correct and legal path...

[e30mclow]

Re: Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

You guys are not reading..... He is NEVER planning to import or drive it into Canada. He is buying in the US and driving in the US.

What is stopping you from getting US insurance and registration? That would be the correct and legal path...

Nothing is stopping me, besides timing. I've not intended to buy a car so no need for a license, but I can pick up a super low mileage s4 in Georgia if I act quick.
Why not ship it? See here - http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...y-Stage-III-S4

I have a company vehicle, and my Canadian license is sufficient under their insurance. The State requires that one transfers their license if the driver resides in the state for more than 30 days.
That's a bit fluffy, as I have a residence here and in Canada - Colleagues have gone years with no issues.

The issue arises in that I've not been intending on buying a car, but I'm feeling lost without a hobby.
In reading up on people buying cars out of state here, they seem to get proof of insurance and a bill of sale + sometimes an in transit tag if a 2 week period is required before registration. Some drive with no plates, some throw on their own.

[MechEngg]

Re: Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

You guys are not reading..... He is NEVER planning to import or drive it into Canada. He is buying in the US and driving in the US.

What is stopping you from getting US insurance and registration? That would be the correct and legal path...

We are reading just fine.

He currently has Canadian registration and insurance.
He has a certain amount of time before he has to switch it over.
His Canadian registration and insurance should cover it; depending on his policy and company rules

You are correct, obtaining US insurance and registration is a way that would be correct and fully legal, however it may not be the only correct and legal way to do it.

[kujiwara]

Re: Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

Honestly it's probably better to transfer your license if you work there, less hassle to deal with anything afterwards. For example I study at UBC, it's just one province away right? Such a pita when I get hit and try to deal to insurance just across the province, I can't even imagine across the country. Drive with swapped plates sounds too sketchy, what if the cop just pull you over for no reason, what if some dumbass jump out of nowhere and hit you... After all it's still a 10hour drive right?

is it difficult to transfer the Canadian license to your state's? Are you going to be spending more that 6 months there? If these tick the box then I recommend you transferring, because if you do you can get any car there you want anytime you want without any hassle, and you won't lose your insurance rates because you can use your record from Canada. "Lost with out a hobby", if you transfer the license you can push that hobby as far as you want because of all that freedom with the new license!

[e30mclow]

Re: Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

Honestly it's probably better to transfer your license if you work there, less hassle to deal with anything afterwards. For example I study at UBC, it's just one province away right? Such a pita when I get hit and try to deal to insurance just across the province, I can't even imagine across the country. Drive with swapped plates sounds too sketchy, what if the cop just pull you over for no reason, what if some dumbass jump out of nowhere and hit you... After all it's still a 10hour drive right?

is it difficult to transfer the Canadian license to your state's? Are you going to be spending more that 6 months there? If these tick the box then I recommend you transferring, because if you do you can get any car there you want anytime you want without any hassle, and you won't lose your insurance rates because you can use your record from Canada. "Lost with out a hobby", if you transfer the license you can push that hobby as far as you want because of all that freedom with the new license!

I will for sure, but the mythical unicorn S4 could be sold by then - May have to Smokey & The Bandit this one and make a run for the state line.

[PRY4SNO]

Re: Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

Have you asked the seller about them providing a temp plate for transit? When I bought my A4 the dealer provided me with a plate before I left. Since they're a resident with a valid local license they shouldn't have too much trouble acquiring one for you.

Otherwise, yeah, I'd just call your insurance company and tell them you'll be using your personal plate to transfer a newly purchased car to your residence.

If I understand things correctly, around here you can swap plates with active registration, insurance and a signed bill of sale to a new car you've purchased for up to two weeks. Should be something similar in that area.

[e30mclow]

Re: Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

That is a good point. It would be a private sale, but perhaps he may help me out... worth asking.

[Ponto]

Re: Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

When I drove back from Miami with my A3 the seller put on a temp plate for me. Got one speeding ticket, never paid... lol But no issues the whole way home aside from a heavy foot and bad gas mileage because of that haha.

I took my own insurance down for the car.

Canadian insurance will cover you driving in the states, but not sure how that all works since you are keeping it down there.

[e30mclow]

Re: Picking Up a Car in the US & Driving it "Back"

I plan on cancelling my insurance immediately after, as it is dead money. I was continuing to pay my premium in case something went pear shaped with my claim against the company that crashed my car.