Buying and driving home a vehicle from the US

[number3]

Looking at a VW in California and am wondering if anyone knows what is involved insurance / registration wise to drive it home legally.  I want to fly in, pick it up and drive it home.  I figure after 24 plus hours of driving I will know all the quirks of said vehicle.  If it craps out on the way back it will add to the adventure. 

I know the procedure with customs and 72 hours notice etc.  Car has clean title and is currently insured in LA.  Can I register a vehicle in California even though I don't live there? 

I spoke with my local insurance broker but that was pretty much useless.  Seems like getting an A to B permit that is valid across the border is not possible.

Anyone have experience they wish to share?

[Chris]

You may require an A to B for each state you cross.

[bwaz]

I was going to do this just to tow a car, and was told that each state was different in what they'd allow. The Washington state insurance people told me that I would have to get a Wa permit, then as soon as I crossed into Canada would have to find a insurance broker and get a Canadian permit? I'd question our ICBC rep as I always thought there was something about having 10 days to transfer a new vehicle. Maybe not the case anymore.

I was going to just buy a BC permit, which would be insurance and somewhat registration of the car in your name with the numbers on it. Being how many new US cars come across the border with a paper in the back window and no plates, I would expect all they want to know is that you have some insurance coverage, and a bill of sale with the car in your name. You might want to try an email to a sales person at a dealership in Seattle, and ask them about you buying a car there and wanting to drive it home to Canada. I'm sure they've all got experience with that! Good luck.  

[pittwagen]

This insurance portion of this topic is covered on the ICBC website.  Here is the link:

http://www.icbc.com/cs/Satellite?c=ICBC_FAQ_C&cid=1225925939624&pagename=ICBC%2FICBC_FAQ_C%2Ficbc_FAQQuestion&proxied=true#1225925939624

The insurance can be bought at any ICBC broker.  

As it says you are also going to have to obtain "an in-transit licensing permit" for the vehicle from each state.  I would email each jurisdiction to find out the process and find out whether you can get the permit in advance.  The California one is easy. You get that before you drive away.  

For Oregon all they need is a valid trip permit from another state.  Read Out of State trip permit.  Here is the link:

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/vehicle/trippermit.shtml

Washington is not as clear.  Here is a link for their state licensing office.  You can call or email.

http://www.dol.wa.gov/contact/vehicles.html

I would call ICBC directly at their headquarters.  I find them much more helpful that the brokers.  They may know about Washington regs.

Let us know what you find out.

I'm sure someone on this site has done this before.

[Chris]

You definitely need one for Washington state, but where to purchase them can be confusing, it use to be weigh scales but recently a friend and I went on a journey jsut to find a place to get one as the scale no longer sold them.

[number3]

This insurance portion of this topic is covered on the ICBC website.  Here is the link:

http://www.icbc.com/cs/Satellite?c=ICBC_FAQ_C&cid=1225925939624&pagename=ICBC%2FICBC_FAQ_C%2Ficbc_FAQQuestion&proxied=true#1225925939624

The insurance can be bought at any ICBC broker. 

As it says you are also going to have to obtain "an in-transit licensing permit" for the vehicle from each state.  I would email each jurisdiction to find out the process and find out whether you can get the permit in advance.  The California one is easy. You get that before you drive away. 

For Oregon all they need is a valid trip permit from another state.  Read Out of State trip permit.  Here is the link:

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/vehicle/trippermit.shtml

Washington is not as clear.  Here is a link for their state licensing office.  You can call or email.

http://www.dol.wa.gov/contact/vehicles.html

I would call ICBC directly at their headquarters.  I find them much more helpful that the brokers.  They may know about Washington regs.

Let us know what you find out.

I'm sure someone on this site has done this before.

Thanks Pittwagen.  That pretty much answered all my questions.

Don't be so cheap pay a trucking company to bring it up saves alot of time and effort and hassle they usally take care of the border crap also just speaking from past friends experience. And I'll drink and wait with ya till it arrives you buy the beer by the way

Where's the fun in having a trucking company bring it up.  $1000.00 worth of beer might not be enough for you 

[pittwagen]

I agree.  The trip is where it's at.

More info:

I believe you need to apply for a CVC 4003 - One Trip Permit, before you move the vehicle in California.  California DMV has a 1-800 # so you should be able to get all the info on the transfer of ownership / temp permit processes.  Just make sure the person who is selling owns the vehicle and there are no outstanding liens/loans on the vehicle.  Vehicle must be driven A - B.  No side trips to the Oregon coast!!  Your BC insurance will cover liability.

Looks like Washington has private licensing agents.  There are at least 10 in Vancouver Wash. just over the border from Portland.
Again, the state licensing authority can be contacted to confirm.

I always wondered how this could be done so I did some research. 

[Bruce]

  Can I register a vehicle in California even though I don't live there? 

Absolutely no.  You have to be a resident to register a car there.
However, if the car already has cali licence plates on it, and the licence is still valid, you're good to go.  With that you can drive it anywhere in the USA.  Unlike here, the licence plates stay with the car in the US. 

You'll still need insurance.  That's where ICBC comes in.  You need to buy Binder for Owner's Interim Certificate of Insurance.  With that, you can drive it to your doorstep.

I always thought there was something about having 10 days to transfer a new vehicle.

That only applies if the new car was already a BC car.  If it's from outside BC, you can't do that.

[Geoff]

Bruce is correct! 

[Batan]

I got my Bus last July from Oregon. The procedure is explained in the posts above well. With Oregon, I just got the Oregon permit and drove it with that to the border. Getting a permit from each state is even better. If the car is not plated like Bruce stated, you have to have proof of insurance from ICBC to get the trip permit!
It took me 10-15 minutes total at both offices at the border. When you're sending your stuff to US customs in advance, make sure to scan(or take a picture) and email the documents. It's faster that way then faxing it. They cleared my car for export within an hour and a half!

And last but not least, I don't know if you know this but when importing vehicles your aircare grace period is the length of the first term of insurnace. Say you pass the inspection and plate it for 3 months only. Well, you will have to aircare it in 3 moths! So, make sure you plate it for a year the first time.