jayoel

So I am importing my car 15 years old to Halifax and driving it to bc in October.
Any idea how long I drive on uk plates for ?
Will I have to contact ICBC for insurance.

Any other advice ?

Siouxie

Google is your friend.

http://www.riv.ca/HelpFAQs.aspx#permit

http://www.icbc.com/registration-lic...import-vehicle

jayoel

That's more about usa cars.

Aviator

You cannot drive on UK plates at all. You'll need to register the vehicle in a Canadian province and get insurance before it can go on a public road. As you won't be coming directly to BC and if you don't already have a BC address to register the vehicle to, you should contact ICBC for advice. You may be able to get an 'in transit permit.

Everything you need is in the links provided.

Shirtback

This is all a bit vague (it was a long time ago) but: Many years ago, we imported two motorbikes. After discovering that we couldn't even drive them to the licensing office, we had to go home & fetch a trailer. When we came back, we were permitted to drive them under escort from the dockside (Montreal) warehouse, to the gates where we loaded them onto trailer, & towed them through Montreal to the central customs office, where we got temporary import certificates, then to St-J. where we queued & got temporary registration.

Then we had to book an appointment for them to pass an inspection, ($$$), before we could officially register, insure, ride 'em.

(On another occasion, we were allowed to drive an imported vehicle straight off the docks - but I'm very sure this was a huge mistake by the authorities - but the ensuing procedure was the same.)

I *think* your vehicle will need to be registered & insured before you leave Halifax for BC. The ABC Club might be able to advise...

S

Shirtback

Try this then:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehicle...-index-446.htm

Siouxie

No, it's not.
All the links you needed were included but you would need to click on them to determine that.

Shirtback

S

withabix

Yes, get it transported across Canada in a container by rail - there are several companies who offer this service - just Google it.

Driving approx 5800km is going to cost you more than the transport. You would also have to register it in Halifax first.

If you have it transported 'in bond' you can clear it at the nearest CBSA border location (including most airports).

Our Land Rover came in via Montreal and across Canada in a sea can by rail. We cleared it through Customs at Kelowna Airport.

As for insurance, get your insurance history from your last 8 years UK car insurance. It MUST be in the format and detail required by ICBC - NOT the standard No Claims Bonus letter.

http://www.icbc.com/autoplan/moving-...scount-for-new One trap is that the letters must show your FULL name, not just initials.

Bank on insurance costing you approx $2000 per year and you won't be far out.

You will then need to buy a 1 day insurance sticker (about $20) at an Autoplan broker to allow you to drive your car to an Inspection Facility, pay approx $200 for inspection and then return to the Autoplan broker to pay your insurance and get your licence plates.

Photoplex

I'm sure you have a fantastic reason why you'd want to do something quite so ridiculous, and I for one can't wait to hear it

dbd33

It doesn't seem at all ridiculous to me. Why not see the country while you have the chance? I think the bureaucracy involved will kill the idea but dealing with that also teaches a lesson about the country.

mikelincs

Sounds like it must be gold plated..

Photoplex

I searched her previous posts - it's a 1995 Fiat Panda

I get it ff it was a classic car, but an old tiny Fiat Panda, for which no parts will be available in Canada, and every mechanic from Halifax to Victoria will stare blankly at? Not to mention the shipping costs being twice what the car is worth?

Yeah, good luck.

colchar

The whole thing does seem more than a little ridiculous.

dbd33

Well, aren't we hoity-toity. Few people in Canada will have seen one, it'll draw a sympathetic crowd and, besides, the adventure of exploring the country shouldn't be limited to those who have wire wheels. Most people in Canada get around in vehicles that should make them envious of the style and efficiency of a Fiat Panda. Shit, one sees grey Hyundais all over the place, no one says people shouldn't drive them from sea to shining sea.