I am now through the border and on the Canadian side, am I home-free?

Not really, you still have to bet the vehicle home and get the inspections done. In order to obtain the paperwork for the inspections, you have to take Form 1 (provided at the border) go to the RIV web-site, enter a bunch of data and pay another RIV fee on-line. You must then obtain a “Product Recall Clearance Letter” (PRCL) from the manufacturer. Some manufacturers charge for this letter and the amounts will vary depending on the vehicle, year and how difficult it is for them to obtain the data. Ford, for example charges $50.00 for a letter, but GM will provide it at no charge. All manufacturers are different and you should talk with them about this before buying the vehicle. You can receive your PRCL from the manufacturer within two to three weeks.

While you are awaiting the PRCL, make sure that you have had all the work done that is required by the RIV. So the day-time running lights should be installed now, as well as child restraints, bumpers, and a new windshield if the existing one is cracked of badly pitted, as well as a metric speedometer. Once again, certain manufacturers will not provide the PRCL to you until you meet there specific inspection and modifications and if that is the case, you may find that you are spending between one and four thousand dollars to meet their requirements. These manufacturers are doing this to help protect their dealers that have to pay much higher prices to buy the same vehicles that U.S. dealers buy for a much lower price. So the manufacturers penalize you by making you undertake these modifications, so that people are discouraged from buying U.S. vehicles. In fact, some require that you replace the entire speedometer so that the large numbers show in Km’s and the small letters in miles. Check this out with the manufacturer before you actually buy the vehicle, because such a cost can run you up to $1,800.00 alone. Once you have paid these “hidden” and senseless costs, the manufacturer should send you the PRCL.

The PRCL has to be written on Manufacturer letter-head, a proper description of the vehicle (including valid serial number), as well as the date, title of the signing officer for the manufacturer and their name must be on the document. It must also state that the vehicle is clear of recalls. If it is not clear, then you have to now take the vehicle to a valid agency for the manufacturer to have the recalls handled. Once they are handled, the agency will send a report to the manufacturer confirming the repairs and you then have to request another PRCL . Once you have this, you send or fax it to the RIV and they will send out Form 2.

Now remember, all this is taking a great deal of time and you are driving a vehicle that isn’t properly registered. If you drive with an invalid plate, you can be fined and the vehicle impounded until you can get it registered. You can’t get it registered until it is inspected. You can’t get it inspected until it is released from the impound yard… It is a catch 22…

You can go to a government registries office and purchase an “in-transit” permit. People assume that this will give them either a 3 day or 7 day “temporary plate,” but this is a common mistake. An in-transit permit allows you to make ONE trip, ONE way, ONE time. So technically, you have to buy an in-transit permit every time you go to move the vehicle. You can’t buy a three day permit and use it to drive all over the place, it is only good to transport you in-transit from one location to the next. So if you are not following this rule, it may mean a fine or confiscation and impounding of the vehicle for improper registration.

After you have form 2 and all the modifications are complete, you go to a valid RIV inspection centre, the most common is Canadian Tire. You cannot book an appointment, it is first come, first serve, but here is a hint – call them first to make sure that their inspection technician is in that day. If not, you will drive down there and waste an in-transit certificate for nothing. Bring both forms 1 and 2 with you. They will check all the lights, the bumpers, etc. and stamp the forms for you and you are now, finally done with the RIV.

But you aren’t done yet. Now you have to go to the provincial registries agency and show them the title, bill of sale, Form 1 & 2, your insurance and your driver’s license and they will give (sell) you an “Out-of-Province” vehicle inspection form to have completed. Now once you have this, you must have the inspection completed by a Provincial Government Approved Inspection mechanical shop within two weeks. So make sure that you have booked an appointment with a valid shop to get the vehicle in right away. Once you take it in, be prepared to pay to have all repairs and services brought up to approved standard. Sometimes if serious repairs are necessary, it may take a few weeks to get the parts ordered in and you may have to go back to the registries agency and buy another form.

Once you have the provincial form completed, you now go back to the registries agency and you now pay to register the vehicle and get your permanent plate on it.