Re: Temporary car imports
 

Perhaps, but we won't know until dbd answers back.... although we may not hear from him for a while.... it's rather hard to type when one's hands are shackled behind their back. ;)

Re: Temporary car imports
 

Ha! Yes, the Element is the car on US plates. We have it here now, in the US, we'll bring it back in the middle of next week. I suppose technically we'll again be importing it for the personal use of a visitor who will then have another one year of legally driving on a foreign license.

Re: Temporary car imports
 

After Ontario stopped requiring proof of insurance for the plate sticker I knowingly drove for seven years without insurance. That was not having coverage for accidents. Insuring with a foreign carrier, declaring the vehicle to be primarily used in Ontario, is not. The car is properly insured.

I doubt that you know my type, big boy, but go ahead and fantasize.

Re: Temporary car imports
 

Assuming the OP doesn't care about minutae, that is what the customs people call a car driven into Canada, (imported/visiting/whatever), it seems to me that, so long as the driver (not the car) leaves once every year and insurance is somehow arranged, all is fine. The trick is the insurance, you need to find a carrier who is willing and legally able to insure a car in Ontario.

Practically speaking, it's all very easy. The customs officer at the border includes the car on the list of articles brought as personal effects with the long term visitor, just like the furniture.

I don't know that oceanMDX's type, but it seems that he or she read about this stuff on the internet and blended the Canadian fetish for regulations with the famous Canadian "can't do" attitude. Insurance is a bother. That's all. It's not a insurmountable one and the rewards are great; dials in miles, control over your lights and the servility of locals who take you to be American.