Anyone driven their own UK car in America...
Discussion
What car are you talking about? Unless it's a full USA specification vehicle (i.e. that car was originally sold new in USA before making its way to UK) it seems highly unlikely you'll be able to use it in USA at all. The local regulations essentially prohibit all vehicles which are not fully type approved for USA.
If you do manage to get the car into USA you will need to get it insured locally in USA.
If you do manage to get the car into USA you will need to get it insured locally in USA.
5 USA said:
Unless it's a full USA specification vehicle (i.e. that car was originally sold new in USA before making its way to UK) it seems highly unlikely you'll be able to use it in USA at all.
That is most certainly not the case in Florida, or Georgia.The easiest way around insurance is to add the vehicle to a fleet policy and cover it as a temporary import (12 months max). It stays on it's original license plate and does not require an inspection or a tag.
Anything more than 25 years old can be imported into the USA. You'll probably have to insure it through a classic car specialist insurer like Hagerty, but I've heard their rates are fairly reasonable.
http://www.hagerty.com/
Madman of the People
http://www.hagerty.com/
Madman of the People
In 2005 about 40 Caterhams / Westfields were shipped to Texas, driven to San Francisco by their owners and then shipped home.
We had cover for the 3.5 week trip which I believe was arranged through an American broker, so it can be done
Here we are in monument valley
Edited to add:
Just looked back through my e-mail, Insurance Broker was "The Sunrise Group"
We had cover for the 3.5 week trip which I believe was arranged through an American broker, so it can be done
Here we are in monument valley
Edited to add:
Just looked back through my e-mail, Insurance Broker was "The Sunrise Group"
Edited by Powderpuff on Friday 16th April 08:42
Powderpuff said:
In 2005 about 40 Caterhams / Westfields were shipped to Texas, driven to San Francisco by their owners and then shipped home.
We had cover for the 3.5 week trip which I believe was arranged through an American broker, so it can be done
Here we are in monument valley
That sound slike some trip! We had cover for the 3.5 week trip which I believe was arranged through an American broker, so it can be done
Here we are in monument valley
Pkh72 said:
That sound slike some trip!
Oh yes, a real trip of a lifetime 
Everything was on a BIG scale, especially the trucks
One day we'll do it again I'm sure (and for anyone who did the trip reading this...that's not me offering to organise a return!)
Edited by Powderpuff on Friday 16th April 08:48
euroboy said:
Ive seen a couple of unusual cars on American plates over the years (either via the internet or in person).
So far I have seen:
Theres a chap with a Fiat Coupe somewhere in the Northern US.
There was a FCCUK member who moved temporarily to Canada and took his Coupe with him (caused quite a stir on the local car club bulletin boards), but I'm not aware in the US - do you know anything more?So far I have seen:
Theres a chap with a Fiat Coupe somewhere in the Northern US.
snotrag said:
Powderpuff said:
In 2005 about 40 Caterhams / Westfields were shipped to Texas, driven to San Francisco by their owners and then shipped home.
Any more details/a write-up on this trip?I remember there was a Brit who shipped his lotus over there and did a road trip.
Any figures or costs?
I have a neighbour in Clearwater who has a Morris Minor Traveller and also a Noble....both were imported from the UK. It is not easy if bringing in a new car, but older ones especially Land Rovers seem to be appearing and if imported in parts seem to get through customs and the DOT tests quite easily.
Polarbert said:
If I ever get over there I'd be tempted to look into exporting the Clio as I think it would go down quite well over there. But I'm not that bothered, theres plenty of better suited cars over there.
It'd be awesome to have something so different though, and something they don't have! 
dotcom said:
Where's Stefan Erikkson when you need him? He knows about UK cars in America
I thought that was going to come up earlier!!
jatinder said:
snotrag said:
Powderpuff said:
In 2005 about 40 Caterhams / Westfields were shipped to Texas, driven to San Francisco by their owners and then shipped home.
Any more details/a write-up on this trip?I remember there was a Brit who shipped his lotus over there and did a road trip.
Any figures or costs?
Powderpuff said:
In 2005 about 40 Caterhams / Westfields were shipped to Texas, driven to San Francisco by their owners and then shipped home.
We had cover for the 3.5 week trip which I believe was arranged through an American broker, so it can be done
Here we are in monument valley
Edited to add:
Just looked back through my e-mail, Insurance Broker was "The Sunrise Group"
Oh look, it's my car!We had cover for the 3.5 week trip which I believe was arranged through an American broker, so it can be done
Here we are in monument valley
Edited to add:
Just looked back through my e-mail, Insurance Broker was "The Sunrise Group"
Powderpuff said:
Pkh72 said:
That sound slike some trip!
Oh yes, a real trip of a lifetime Everything was on a BIG scale, especially the trucks
One day we'll do it again I'm sure (and for anyone who did the trip reading this...that's not me offering to organise a return!)
There was a write-up in a US kit car magazine about the trip - I've got a copy at home. It really was a fantastic month.
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff