what is needed to get into/back from canada?

[groove83]

It has been so long since I have been to canada and back that I don't know what the laws are anymore....

Last time I went back and forth all you needed was a drivers license, but last time I heard you now need a passport/ or a enhanced drivers license, then I heard they extended the time to not need them, and I have no clue anymore.

and also, what about cars? my whole trip involves picking up a car and coming home with it. I am not sure the car runs (nor care, its a parts car, and no, its not a SHO.) and just want to get it and get back home.

 

[firebat45]

You do need a passport now, not sure if an enhanced driver's license is good enough anymore.

The car shouldnt be a problem. You may be required to pay taxes on the purchase price at the border, I'm not sure. Just make sure you get bill of sale and all the paperwork you'd need to prove it's actually yours.

 

[Phoenix]

We have in Quebec a ''PLUS'' drivers licence , which costs more and give you access to the USA. But I donno if that is available in your area.

If not , you need a passport , no way around it.

About the car , call your USA border patrol to be sure if you need any special papers filled up by the previous owner etc....

 

[moobypets]

like he says

 

[Racer X]

US Passport, or an Enhanced Driver's License from one of the border states.

 

[groove83]

Ok, I will have to look for the number for boarder patrol in the Niagara area, since I am going to go over there to pick the car up. and I am going to have to see what I can do for getting across....I will be in Canada for less then 1 hour, and its probably going to cost me at least 100 bucks for that hour or more.

 

[moobypets]

you could be surprise you just need the right paper and ask question to the custom offical so you will be prepare and if the car is really old

plus you may need to go to the car registry office so be sure you can have all the proper paper and it will be just fine

 

[SHOmethewayhome]

Ok, I will have to look for the number for boarder patrol in the Niagara area, since I am going to go over there to pick the car up. and I am going to have to see what I can do for getting across....I will be in Canada for less then 1 hour, and its probably going to cost me at least 100 bucks for that hour or more.

that sounds like me and trips to mexico... :theyareontome:

 

[moobypets]

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_import_a_used_car_from_canada_to_the_US



http://www.customs.gov In their tiny little search window, type in: "import car"

here you have the info use it wisely

 

[mattsho1993]

im also sure the dmv might be help also worth a check...

 

[moobypets]

yes dmv thank you lol here it has some **** up name

 

[RonPorter]

MI has the enhnaced drivers license. My wife recently got one, as she will never need another passport.

MI is so loose on titles that you could have a Canadian title sent to yet, register it and get a MI title & plates, go over there, and just drive the car back. My b-in-l did it many times.

 

[moobypets]

yes driving the car back would be a lot easier since it been driven by and american lol

 

[groove83]

Good Idea on switching the car into my name before I even go pick it up....I will have to talk to the guy about that.

The problem is....the clutch went out on the car, so there is no way I can drive it....and the other problem is, I neither have a passport or a Enhanced drivers license. and I haven't been though Canada since the laws came into effect. and I would rather not pay 100 bucks to go into canada for a hour or less.

 

[RonPorter]

Good Idea on switching the car into my name before I even go pick it up....I will have to talk to the guy about that.

The problem is....the clutch went out on the car, so there is no way I can drive it....and the other problem is, I neither have a passport or a Enhanced drivers license. and I haven't been though Canada since the laws came into effect. and I would rather not pay 100 bucks to go into canada for a hour or less.

Supposedly there is a grace period where a birth certificate and a valid license should get you back. Going in isn't the issue, it's coming back in.

 

[typhoon5000]

Supposedly there is a grace period where a birth certificate and a valid license should get you back. Going in isn't the issue, it's coming back in.

I don't think that exists anymore. I cross the Sarnia/Port Huron Blue Water Bridge and Buffalo Peace Bridge crossings pretty often and there are signs posted all over that say a Passport or Enhanced Driver's license is Required to cross (starting June 1st, 2009).

Do you need to get into Canada or are you just trying to shortcut to Niagara Falls via Canada from the zoo? If that's the case, I would recommend just taking the Ohio route and skipping the whole mess. It's not that much longer to drive to the Buffalo area from Detroit that way.

If that's not the case, then I think you're SOL since you have to wait weeks for a Passport to get approved and you have to give them your original birth certificate during that approval period, so you have nothing to cross with anyways. I don't know if you can get an enhanced driver's license same day since I got my Passport awhile ago.

G/L either way though.

 

[Phoenix]

Supposedly there is a grace period where a birth certificate and a valid license should get you back. Going in isn't the issue, it's coming back in.

I think that period is over , its been in place for a year now.

 

[groove83]

Well the car is in Toronto, and i have family around Niagra falls area (us side) that I thought would be nice to see while I am over that way, so I was going to go the us way to get over there, and just go though Niagra falls to get the car and go back to my familys place. Not sure exactly what I am going to do.

 

[popsracing]

In New York we have the enhanced Driver license option as well, I just bought passports for the entire family to make life easier as I live less than hour from the border myself. The border patrol will accept enhanced license from either side but passports are always easiest. Over hear is 120 per passport after everything is said and done....how 'bout Canada?

 

[Phoenix]

In New York we have the enhanced Driver license option as well, I just bought passports for the entire family to make life easier as I live less than hour from the border myself. The border patrol will accept enhanced license from either side but passports are always easiest. Over hear is 120 per passport after everything is said and done....how 'bout Canada?

about 70-75$ per person , good for 5 years.

Takes about 2-8 weeks to receive depending on the period you order it.