Moving to Massachusetts, U.S from Toronto for 2 years for grad school. What do I do with my car? (expired, Canadians)

[fps7028]

Hi, I was wondering if there is anyone who brought their car over to the US when they moved from Canada.

From what I researched it seems like I have to go through all the processes such as changing license, registration, insurance, plate, so on, (possibly 6.25% sales tax too?) if I am staying about 2 years.

But in fact I will only be in the US during the school terms, which is only about 7 months per year, and since I will be back to Canada, I will have to go through the same process when I come back - so this whole process is just a hassle.

So, anyways, I was wondering if I really have to do this. Are there anyone who didn't really bother doing this and not get caught? lol
Would I have trouble passing in and out of the border if I don't do this?

[datacity12]

Maybe I'm missing something, but if you got pulled over or something in Massachusetts, couldn't you just say you're visiting and you're not a resident?

If it were me I wouldn't bother. But then again, my inspection sticker is expired, so.....

LOL

[revrandy]

Check the regulations for MA. Some states allow students to keep the car registered in their home state/country. CT did this when I went to school there. (I'm Canadian as well).

[Rance]

I work with a dozen Canadians in NY and PA. They drive back and forth no problem and keep their Canadian plates. Working 2 weeks on or 3 weeks on and off. I would think you could get by with your plates.

[Sweden]

Originally Posted by Rance

I work with a dozen Canadians in NY and PA. They drive back and forth no problem and keep their Canadian plates. Working 2 weeks on or 3 weeks on and off. I would think you could get by with your plates.

But they're not setting up residency in the US - they're keeping their Canadian addresses.
(Remember what they told us at the DMV in Elmira, NY - that if we set up residency in Pennsylvania instead of Alaska, we'd have to change the plates etc. But since we kept the Alaska residency, we didn't have to.)

If you're studying (legally, which means officially in this case), then chances are that you will have to consider the US your legal address. In which case you could get fined (depending on circumstances) for not changing your licens/registration etc. (Atleast according to New York-law as I was told by a DMV representative last April.
But then you never truly know with the people at dear ole DMV - make sure to ask several people, as the story often changes depending on person.)