Registering a foreign car - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

razerfish · 05-10-2005, 04:25 PM

Settle an argument for me.

My friend says as a foreigner he could import his car over here (for the sake of argument, let's say he was Japanese and wanted to bring his later model MR2 over here) and drive it with his own license.

We both agree that he couldn't register it, but he thinks he could still drive it. I said that he would soon get a ticket and wouln't legally be able to drive it without registering it, which he wouldn't be able to do.

Which of us is right?

4DMR2t · 05-10-2005, 05:12 PM

That's just silly. It's plain as black and white. It's against the law to drive an unregistered, uninsured vehicle in the US. End of discussion!

His license is, however, good for a year in the US. But he can only drive a US legal vehicle.

Drifting Dane · 05-10-2005, 06:32 PM

many cars that dont pass safety/emissions standards CAN be shipped to the US in accordance with the "show and display law" it means wat is says... you cannot legally drive it... but you can show it off and say "hey i own a car i cant drive"

razerfish · 05-10-2005, 07:27 PM

My friend shot back with more info. He found information that said a foreigner that comes over here can bring his car and drive it for a year before he has to register it, so it sounds like we're both right. So he has a year to drive a foreign car under his license before having to try and register it. Not black and white like the poster 4DMR2t erroneously thought, but not the same as my friend thought.

4DMR2t · 05-11-2005, 04:24 PM

so? He'll be driving it with the foreign plates and registration? That's a little different. I simply wrote, you can't drive a car that's not registered or insured. This car will be.

But good information anyways.

onehotcamry · 05-12-2005, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drifting Dane

many cars that dont pass safety/emissions standards CAN be shipped to the US in accordance with the "show and display law" it means wat is says... you cannot legally drive it... but you can show it off and say "hey i own a car i cant drive"

i thought that you could drive it to and from shows that you have had pre approved, and not put more than 5000 miles on it per year?

Drifting Dane · 05-12-2005, 12:43 PM

i am unsure of the exact limitations, all i know is that you cannot drive it like you would a normal car.

With the right persons permission you could probably do anything...

aha drinking is great BTW

blazin_azn · 05-12-2005, 03:23 PM

u have to register that car .....

unless u have diplomatic immunity which i doubt lol

johnr · 05-12-2005, 11:06 PM

Is'nt it easier to just read the rules http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm...ingyourcar.htm