Vehicle Crossing Into the U.S.A?

[dustyanddaflames]

The lady and I are going to Seattle for a six-day roadie to watch some baseball in September. Was curious to if anyone knew the "red tape" when taking a vehicle registered under a name which doesn't include the two in the vehicle? The both of us have trucks, and we're looking at taking one of my parent's cars. Thanks in advance.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by dustyanddaflames

The lady and I are going to Seattle for a six-day roadie to watch some baseball in September. Was curious to if anyone knew the "red tape" when taking a vehicle registered under a name which doesn't include the two in the vehicle? The both of us have trucks, and we're looking at taking one of my parent's cars. Thanks in advance.

Get a note from the owner of the vehicle. I took my folks' larger vehicle across the border a few years ago and got hassled at the border for not being the owner.

The note should read something like:

To Whom it May Concern:

I have given permission to so and so to drive my vehicle.....blah blah blah.

[Rod Hockey]

Also get the note notarized if possible.
Last year we did the same thing and my buddy was using his parents van with Ont plates. It took us an extra hour to clean up that mess before we could leave. ( phone calls and a fax proving ownership and such)

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Rod Hockey

Also get the note notarized if possible.
Last year we did the same thing and my buddy was using his parents van with Ont plates. It took us an extra hour to clean up that mess before we could leave. ( phone calls and a fax proving ownership and such)

Definitely. Make sure the note is very specific:

I/We,_____________, identified by AB DL#__________, hereby give consent to ___________________, identified by AB DL#___________, to operate our motor vehicle, identified by VIN #_____________ and AB license plate #______________, in Canada and United States.

And have it notarized.

[TopChed]

Last summer, I was at my family's cabin in Kelowna and decided to drive down to Seattle for a night to watch the ball game. We took the cabin car (Alberta registered, to my dad), and ended up getting stopped at the border for a few hours while they searched the car, and asked us the same set of questions repeatedly.

I think their suspicion stemmed from a few things. First, like you, the vehicle was not registered to us. Secondly, we were driving an Alberta registered vehicle and crossing the border in Abbotsford. And thirdly, we were only coming in for one night. We explained the entire situation, but had to do so repeatedly before they finally let us go. What a gong show it was, I'm glad we had left ourselves some extra time to make it into the city.

[MontanaJack]

Yes, definitely get a note. Each time I've crossed the border they've always asked if the car I was driving was mine.

[drewboy12]

Myself and a friend did this and didn't have a problem. Got back into Canada with no ID also. But id take the others advice, and get a note. Better to have no hassle in case.

[TimSJ]

I had a good one last year. I sold a new Bentley to a client of mine. Bought the car in Calgary and shipped it to Winnipeg to save some driving, I flew out to Winnipeg and i picked it up to drive it to his place in Florida.

So i was crossing in a new Bentley with 250km on it in Manitoba with NB Plates on it in someone else name. I had all of the proper docs and i was still there for ever. Me in the little room them tearing the car apart. lots of fun.