[nate]

I purchased a car that I really like and have become quite attached to. I got a GREAT deal on it as well, and have been considering my options for the end of my work permit.

If I decide to head back to the US, what's involved in getting a car licensed and titled for use in the US? I imagine I'd need to get the speedo and odometer changed over to imperial, are there any other issues that I'd definitely have to address? Is there an issue with the car being a right-hand drive vehicle? If so, does the car have to be considered a "classic car" to be exempt? I've searched the DMV website and ran a few google searches, but I have come up with nothing so far.

[James 1077]

Can't help on the legals etc but as someone who has driven both left-hand drives on the left (I used to own a classic Mustang in the UK) and right-hand drives on the right (from frequent Europe trips when living in the UK) my advice is, if it is allowed, to only do it if the car isn't going to be your everyday car!

Overtaking becomes a two person job as your passenger needs to let you know if the road is clear. Even pulling out on the motorway to overtaking has its own heart-in-mouth moments!

And toll booths / parking buildings become a demonstration of your agility if you don't have a passenger! :)

And then, once you decide that you have had enough, yuor resale values are rediculously low!

[dharder]

Can't help on the legals etc but as someone who has driven both left-hand drives on the left (I used to own a classic Mustang in the UK) and right-hand drives on the right (from frequent Europe trips when living in the UK) my advice is, if it is allowed, to only do it if the car isn't going to be your everyday car!

Can't help with the legal stuff either, but also as someone who is driving both (we have two cars here, a left and drive and a right hand drive), I have never had any problems at all. I've been driving a Left hand drive in right hand side countries for 13 years now, and like most things in life, you just get used to it. Especially if you do it everyday :) However, ordering at a drive through is a bit of a nuisance...

I watched Stephen Fry in the US on TV the other day, and he took a London black cab to drive through the US but had it converted to a left hand drive. Not sure if that was because he had to?

The one thing I'd check though before you take it (assuming it is legal), is whether you will be able to get it insured. Not everyone here in NZ would do it, not everyone in the UK did it, so I would call a few insurers just to make sure.

Daniela

[JandM]

Like Daniela, I've never found any problem when driving 'the other' sort of car, except for pay booths and machines. The overtaking/pulling out just needs a good l-e-a-n - I remember frightening my boss when I was giving him a lift once, and unthinkingly impinged on his space in the passenger seat without explaining first!;)

[TonnyTessa]

Oh the toll booths and parking lots barriers.... the amount of times I bruised my thighs trying the climb across the gear lever! And always the fear that the barrier is coming down before you shifted yourself over again, put the thing in gear, found the biting point, took the hand brake off..... On the other hand it is quite funny when you get stopped. You open the window, they lean down.... puzzled looks when finding an empty seat on that side :) Not recommended for daily repeats perhaps

[nate]

Thanks for the replies guys, but does anyone know about the legal process of getting my car certified for the road in the U.S.?

[JandM]

I don't, but these people seem to know a thing or two! ;) http://foreignborn.com/visas_imm/entering_us/7importingyourcar.htm

[James 1077]

I watched Stephen Fry in the US on TV the other day, and he took a London black cab to drive through the US but had it converted to a left hand drive. Not sure if that was because he had to?



LTI (the maker of black cabs) make left hand drive cabs for export to other countries. Apparently the cab that he drove around in was a rental of one of these and was originally designed to pass all the US regulations as LTI are trying to break into the New York City market.

[dharder]

LTI (the maker of black cabs) make left hand drive cabs for export to other countries. Apparently the cab that he drove around in was a rental of one of these and was originally designed to pass all the US regulations as LTI are trying to break into the New York City market.

Thank you James. This has actually bothered me (I know, I'm sad), and I meant to try to find out more about the why and how.

:)

Daniela

[James 1077]

Thank you James. This has actually bothered me (I know, I'm sad), and I meant to try to find out more about the why and how.

:)

Daniela

I'm not sure who is sadder - you, for wanting to know it, or me, for knowing it! :D

[M-Squared]

Where are you moving to in the US? There are different sites for every DMV.

[Super_BQ]

Nate, you really should check which state DMV you intend to register the vehicle in. Every state is different and you better be 100% sure you get the details right.

As a regular traveller between US & Canada, the CSBP & US's Homeland & Security have strict guidelines on vehicles that move across the boarder. In most cases, you will need PRIOR approval by the boarder secuirty before you can ship your car. Your US broker should inform you all of this detail. Note the car will go under inspection upon arrival and you may need some modification to meet specifications. In some cases, you have no say if the car is allowed on the road or not - doing your homework is paramount!

Cars sent to the use under a "flood/salvage title" means the car can not be registered in any way. Meaning you can't restore it to make it registered. Again, this varies from state to state. So you better make sure the car you have does have a full title registration with matching VIN# to your documentation.

BQ

[nate]

Thanks for the messages guys, it's helpful. I have no plans to move back to the US at present, just considering my options. It looks like it's going to be a lot more difficult than I hoped it would be.

[kiwi.]

Is there a current version of your car for sale in the US? I'd say its very unlikely that you'd be able to take your car with you. A lot of the 'boyracers' dream of importing cars from Japan etc that weren't sold in the US but can't because they would have to go through crash tests, emissions, conversion etc.