MY04 was bought in Spokane Washington back in Oct-04. I leave it there and use it only when in Spokane. I would like to drive it back to Windsor, Ontario CAN for 6 or 7 weeks and then drive it back to Spokane.

Does anyone know what issues I would encounter either with Candian Customs/Windsor Police or going back into the US to Spokane.

- The car is registered to my girlfriend in Spokane.

- It's insured in Spokane

- It (of course) has Washington Plates on it.

- I have BOTH Washington State AND Ontario Drivers Licence.

The reason I ask this is this...

I had two girls living down the hall from me. One is Canadain, the other was American. The America girl had brought her 02 Saturn coupe over here and it still had Michigan plates on it. Once, while the Canadain was driving the car she was told she was not allowed to drive this car in Canada without the American in the car with her.

WTF ?

So any information anyone has on this would be great

 

Think you'll be fine. I used to drive my car with Canadian plates from Canada to the states all the time when I had a Canadian license, and my brother used to drive his car from the states to Canada and stay there for months with his US plates on.

If anything, show the police your US license when you are in Canada, then you'll look like an American instead of Canadian. Just be polite, and you should have no problem. They are nice people too (well, most of the times)

 

I suppose you could always ask one of the guards when you cross the border next time, you just may need a signed note from your girlfriend giving you permission to drive her car, so they don't think you stole it.

 

Also check to make sure you insurance is valid in Canada. I don't know about car insurance. My father took a motorcycle trip through Canada to Alaska and had to purchase a seperate policy to cover himself and the bike while he was in Canada.

And don't forget to toggle the speedometer to Km/h!

Drive Safe,
Steve R.

 

I recall seeing "tons" of plates from Ontario, etc in South Florida during the snowbird season. I don't think that is an issue, but as NNY S2k pointed out you may want to check on the registration issue. I see that as being more of a potential headache (in both countries).

Craig

 

When I got my first S2k in Seattle I loaned it to a friend from vancouver who drove it home for the weekend. On the way back into the states he was told that it was illegal for him to drive the car in Canada without me in it.