crossing border alone with fiance's vehicle

[bluenoser77 0]

Hi there,

I'm currently visiting my fiance in the states. I want to travel back to Canada for a few days and then return back to the states. Flights are outrageously expensive for this trip, but driving would be reasonable. I am able to take my fiance's car to do this, but I'm wondering if I would encounter any problems driving someone else's car across the border, on either side. Anyone ever do this? or know where to look for official info regarding this situation?

Thanks.

[TBoneTX 43,248]

Have your fiance call his car-insurance agent to ask. Also, you can visit www.cbp.gov to learn the phone number of the appropriate port of entry, and then you can ask about the U.S.'s rules & procedures.

[Cortr 3]

One thing's for certain, they will definitely know the vehicle isn't registered under your name. When I used to go fishing in Canada every spring, we always made it a point to have whoever the vehicle owner was behind the wheel at the time (long car trip = driving in shifts) we crossed the border for that exact reason.

On one occassion where he was sitting in the back seat, the border agent made it a point to have us roll down the back window and directly asked him, "This is your vehicle?"

You could always call Border Protection and ask, assuming they have a number to call. No harm there.

[JlovesA 109]

When I go on holidays to my hometown (right on the ON/MI border), I use my mom's car to cross. My mom has a different last name than me and I have never had a problem crossing, they have never asked about it.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

There is no law I'm aware of the prohibits borrowing or renting an automobile and taking it across the border, providing the owner allows it.

[TBoneTX 43,248]

Avoid taking chances, though -- do what I recommended earlier, to relieve all doubt.

[thegordons2009 1]

I wouldn't recommend it. I was in the USA visiting my husband and my grandfather died unexpectedly. I used my girlfriends' car to go back to Canada for his funeral. The Canadian Border ALMOST wouldn't let me cross....because I am Canadian driving an American car. They asked me if I had any STATUS in the USA. I said I married an American and applied for a VISA. They asked me again if I have any legal status. I showed them my NOA1 and they let me cross reluctantly. They told me to ask the USA border on the way back for a 1-94.

Ok so now i'm in Canada. On my way back is where the MAJOR problem happened. POE told me to go to secondary because I am Canadian driving an American car....had to tell the POE why i was driving an American car.

Secondary - not so nice. They denied me entry. Said that I am not allowed to cross the border as a visitor because I have applied to become an immigrant (CR-1).

My friend had to drive 7 hours to come get her car. I was so upset, because she was nice enough to let me use her car last minuter and this happens!

I was at the Border for 3 hours crying my eyes out and there was no way they were letting me cross. I was suppose to be back by 1pm to go to a friends wedding. My husband was so upset. And this process is taking FOREVER.

I'm sure that others have crossed without any problems like I have encountered. I dont know how far of a drive you have, but getting denied at the border and being questioned, and fingerprinted is not very enjoyable.

[bluenoser77 0]

Wow,

Thanks for all the feedback. I think I've decided to drive the car to a train station and then park it and take the train across the border. I guess I can consider calling and asking, but even if I do, I'm not sure any answers would provide the peace of mind I would prefer. From what I gather, people have called authorities and got differing answers for various questions.

Thanks again for all the feedback. I really appreciate it.

[Sc0tt28 26]

I wouldn't recommend it. I was in the USA visiting my husband and my grandfather died unexpectedly. I used my girlfriends' car to go back to Canada for his funeral. The Canadian Border ALMOST wouldn't let me cross....because I am Canadian driving an American car. They asked me if I had any STATUS in the USA. I said I married an American and applied for a VISA. They asked me again if I have any legal status. I showed them my NOA1 and they let me cross reluctantly. They told me to ask the USA border on the way back for a 1-94.

Ok so now i'm in Canada. On my way back is where the MAJOR problem happened. POE told me to go to secondary because I am Canadian driving an American car....had to tell the POE why i was driving an American car.

Secondary - not so nice. They denied me entry. Said that I am not allowed to cross the border as a visitor because I have applied to become an immigrant (CR-1).

My friend had to drive 7 hours to come get her car. I was so upset, because she was nice enough to let me use her car last minuter and this happens!

I was at the Border for 3 hours crying my eyes out and there was no way they were letting me cross. I was suppose to be back by 1pm to go to a friends wedding. My husband was so upset. And this process is taking FOREVER.

I'm sure that others have crossed without any problems like I have encountered. I dont know how far of a drive you have, but getting denied at the border and being questioned, and fingerprinted is not very enjoyable.

Yeah, CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency) gets their panties all in a bunch over Canadians driving US plated vehicles into Canada. My wife drove my car to work one day and they told her that they would impound it...after much pleading and explaining the situation (I took her car in for repairs on my day off) they relented and let her go with a warning.

CBP officers don't bat an eye if I drive my wife's car into the US. If they ask (usually they don't) I just tell them I'm borrowing it for the day and they are cool with that.

CBSA will freak out though...be forewarned!

[Sc0tt28 26]

I wouldn't recommend it. I was in the USA visiting my husband and my grandfather died unexpectedly. I used my girlfriends' car to go back to Canada for his funeral. The Canadian Border ALMOST wouldn't let me cross....because I am Canadian driving an American car. They asked me if I had any STATUS in the USA. I said I married an American and applied for a VISA. They asked me again if I have any legal status. I showed them my NOA1 and they let me cross reluctantly. They told me to ask the USA border on the way back for a 1-94.

Ok so now i'm in Canada. On my way back is where the MAJOR problem happened. POE told me to go to secondary because I am Canadian driving an American car....had to tell the POE why i was driving an American car.

Secondary - not so nice. They denied me entry. Said that I am not allowed to cross the border as a visitor because I have applied to become an immigrant (CR-1).

My friend had to drive 7 hours to come get her car. I was so upset, because she was nice enough to let me use her car last minuter and this happens!

I was at the Border for 3 hours crying my eyes out and there was no way they were letting me cross. I was suppose to be back by 1pm to go to a friends wedding. My husband was so upset. And this process is taking FOREVER.

I'm sure that others have crossed without any problems like I have encountered. I dont know how far of a drive you have, but getting denied at the border and being questioned, and fingerprinted is not very enjoyable.

Yeah, CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency) gets their panties all in a bunch over Canadians driving US plated vehicles into Canada. My wife drove my car to work one day and they told her that they would impound it...after much pleading and explaining the situation (I took her car in for repairs on my day off) they relented and let her go with a warning.

CBP officers don't bat an eye if I drive my wife's car into the US. If they ask (usually they don't) I just tell them I'm borrowing it for the day and they are cool with that.

CBSA will freak out though...be forewarned!