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Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



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  #1  
Old 16 Nov 2022
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Colombia,(when not travelling)
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This also applies for Canadians non-resident in Canada.

We bought a vehicle in BC this Spring and it was easy, following the steps noted. One learning, noted in Grant's post, is to be aware of the expiry/renewal conditions. We are planning to pick up the vehicle next Spring and go on "stage 2"of our Canadian travels. Renewal of the insurance looks as if it's going to be a challenge. We cannot renew online since our vehicle is co-owned (by the two of us). It seems that we cannot renew by phone either (looking into this). Renewing in person would involve flying from Colombia to BC for the day...!

As an aside, we recently looked into lending our vehicle (parked in BC until next Spring) to my daughter in Ontario for the 6 months we are at home - it's a nightmare and we finally reached the conclusion that it's not feasible (technically possible but a bureaucratic mess and a huge cost).
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  #2  
Old 17 Nov 2022
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Join Date: Dec 1997
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The insurance DOES NOT have to be renewed if it's not being driven.

If I understand correctly, it's currently parked, and the insurance will expire before you return.
No problem - when you return, go to the closest Autoplan agent with your registration papers, pay and you're done. Easy.
IF you renew before the insurance expires you should be able to do it online. This is a NEW option in 2022, as BC has finally done away with expiry stickers on the plate, as all police can now automatically scan plates for insurance and registration validity.


As I understand it all, for your daughter to drive it, she'd have to register it in Ontario after I believe 30 days but it might be 90. And of course pay taxes, transfer fees etc. And then you'd have to do the reverse. And someone has to drive - or rail freight it - back and forth. Definitely not worth it.
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  #3  
Old 18 Nov 2022
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Colombia,(when not travelling)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant Johnson View Post
The insurance DOES NOT have to be renewed if it's not being driven.

If I understand correctly, it's currently parked, and the insurance will expire before you return.
No problem - when you return, go to the closest Autoplan agent with your registration papers, pay and you're done. Easy.
IF you renew before the insurance expires you should be able to do it online. This is a NEW option in 2022, as BC has finally done away with expiry stickers on the plate, as all police can now automatically scan plates for insurance and registration validity.


As I understand it all, for your daughter to drive it, she'd have to register it in Ontario after I believe 30 days but it might be 90. And of course pay taxes, transfer fees etc. And then you'd have to do the reverse. And someone has to drive - or rail freight it - back and forth. Definitely not worth it.
Your understanding is correct.

We'd prefer to keep the insurance up, it's only a "gap" of 6 weeks or so, and this would also allow my other daughter to use the vehicle if she needed to (no plan but an option - as long as it's "occasional use" this is permitted).

Update - I spoke to the Insurance Agent - I can renew on the phone and with email. The online option is not permitted in our case - the vehicle is co-owned (I know - bizzare). ICBC tell me that the new online option, as you say introduced this year, will progressively be extended to co-owned vehicles and business-owned vehicles. I'm not holding my breath.

You are absolutely right about the process for my daughter to use the car - all sorts of limitations, restrictions, and taxes. We gave up on the idea.
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