Canadian Buyer Drive USCanada

A friend has purchased a 56 Chevy through ebay. Wants to drive it back from Texas. He is Canadian the truck is American. What does he need to do for insurance and licensing?

Thanks, John Paul

The best thing to do is have the papers sent to him, license and insure it in Canada, and take the Canadian plates down to Texas. Of course, if you have some sort of safety inspection up there, that may pose problems. A few months ago, one poster from Europe found it impossible to get insurance to drive a car that he bought in Texas.

George Patterson 'Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum.' - When you have their full attention in your grip, their hearts and minds will follow.

He should be able to secure interim insurance coverage through one of the companies specializing in antique auto insurance (interim until he gets it appraised). He should be able to drive it home on a transit sticker which he would obtain in Texas.

Tell him to call his insurance company to obtain insurance or add it to a policy currently in force. When he get to Texas pay the seller and obtain a title transfer along with the seller at an authorized source in Texas. Both MUST sign the title forms in their presence to be LEGAL. Use the temporary title as proof of ownership and show insurance to acquire a temporary 30 day transit tag from an authorized DMV source in Texas. He may be able do both at the same place. After he receives the title from the DMV in Texas he can obtain a Canadian title and tag for the vehicle. Once he obtains lower cost classic insurance, it takes some paperwork and time to do, he can cancel the other coverage.

Most US policies automatically cover an additional vehicle, with the same coverage as you have on you other vehicle(s,) as long as you notify the company within thirty days of acquiring the vehicle and pay the premium retroactively. I don't know it that is the case in Canada or if they charge an import duty or other fees.

mike hunt

If he's from Ontario, he might like to try http://www.lant-ins.ca/ - Tony Lant is very helpful, and all he deals with are antique and custom autos.

No interest, etc., other than being a satisfied client.

non of the below is true in Texas. to do any of the below you will need ins and a inspection sticker.and a Texas resident.

Call the Department of Public safety or the County Clerks office in the city you are buying it from.

unless you really want that long ass drive you may want to have it shipped to you.

Why is that? Doesn't Texas have a vehicle Title law? Don't they have compulsory insurance law in Texas. Does the state issue vehicle licenses. If they do, that is the only way to transfer the title and obtain a transit tax.

ok for majordumo's benefit.

insurance must comply to texas law. and laws of any state hepasses thru.

When he get to Texas pay the

seller justs signs the back of the title bill of sale is a plus

Both MUST sign the title forms in

Not true

Use the temporary title as proof of

No temp titles or non dealer temp plates in texas, insurance must be in force to do any thing. A vehicle inspection is required for any plates PRIOR to getting plates

He may be

I have no intention of debating you on this. I have no reason not to think you actually believe what you have stated, but it defies logic. If what you say were true a person getting a divorce could sign the spouses name on a jointly held title and sell the car. Anyone could sign YOUR title, if they had access to it, and sell YOUR vehicle as well. A signature on a title is ONLY legal if the person(s) named on the title is actually the person(S) signing the title. To verify that fact, the title must be signed in the presence of a title agent of some sort and embossed with a legal 'Seal.' EVERY state in which I have ever purchased vehicles in our business regards a title presented, that is not embossed with a legal 'Seal' for the signature(s) in the 'sellers' box, as an OPEN title and therefore void. The legal owner must apply for a duplicate title in order to transfer it legally in front of an agent. Every state in the union issues transit tags or certificates.

mike hunt

True and it does happen. But this is a crime of forgery and you may know its missing and call the police.

A signature on a title is ONLY legal if

Almost true again. It can be signed by a designate person in case they can't write or are infirmed. But it is not verified. Only if the original owner says he didn't sign it do they check. They compare the Signiture on the front of the title to the back side in the assingment of title area. But rarely does anyone even know they should sign the front

To verify that fact, the title must be signed

Not here.

The legal owner must apply for a duplicate title in order to transfer it

Not here. they buyer applies for a new title and gives the old one at issue of the new one. But insurance is required even if its no going to be registered.

Every state in the union issues

Not here as far as I know. i had asked at one time for a temp tag and I was told by county clerk they do not exist for non dealer sales.

Texas has many laws that don't make sense to anyone living outside the state and some living inside the state.

In Oregon there is no requirement that the title be signed in the presence of anyone special. If you have physical access to the title and sign the owners name, then that is forgery.

But I have sold cars many times since I've been living here by just signing over the title to the person who bought it. Some have asked to see identification prior to signing, but not all. States laws on the exact stuff you have to go through to sell a car are likely to vary widely. Same goes for houses.

Kevin Smith