First purchased the trailer on April 10th. I still have not received the license plates or title yet. So I went to the DMV today. They tried to look up the VIN number from my temporary registration. Nothing shows up. Apparently the dealer has not even sent the DMV the MSO yet.So I called the dealer and they try to meet all sorts of excuses. The bottom line is the temp registration is good for 90 days. We will be back a few days before the registration expires. My question is, are they going to give us a hassle entering Canada and returning to the United states with a temporary registration? I'm definitely going to bring the sales receipts with me but I really don't have any other paperwork to show other than the sales receipt and the temporary registration.

I don't think you would have any trouble with that. An unexpired temp registration is still a valid registration.In my experience, if you're honest and straightforward and cooperative, the border officials are not out to make your day a bad day. Yes, they have the authority to detain you while they search your vehicle etc., which may happen due to random chance or not having crossed before or whatever, but keeping a cool head and a good attitude and letting them do their job will generally get you going before long. I've never encountered officials who have been anything but professional; sometimes humorless or even slightly brusque, but professional.

Bottom line is it’s good in California for 90 days.

Lexx wrote:First purchased the trailer on April 10th. I still have not received the license plates or title yet.You haven't said where in Canada you're going but here in Ontario you'd need a plate on the trailer to even take it off the dealer's lot. Tow it on any roadway without a plate and you'd be sure to be stopped. I've never heard of a situation here where any new owner left without license and registration for the trailer.

Lexx wrote:..... I went to the DMV today. They tried to look up the VIN number from my temporary registration. Nothing shows up. Apparently the dealer has not even sent the DMV the MSO yet.I don’t want to opine on what a border agent might say, but if your own DMV can’t see it on their system, I can only imagine what a foreign country’s border people would find. I doubt it would be an easy crossing.

I'm going to be calling the dealer tomorrow and speak to the lady there who handles all the DMV stuff. I will NOT be happy if they never sent the MSO and other paperwork in. I'm praying that DMV has it.Oh and I miscounted. Sale date was April 10. 90 days from there is July 10. Our trip was supposed to be from June to mid-August. My wife is furious right now. Without the registration we are not going to be able to make it to Albert and B.C. to see her family.I've been waiting and waiting. My mistake. Never trust what the dealers tell you. I should have gone in to the DMV after a couple of weeks.UGH!!!!

Another issue - crossing into Canada with temp registration?

43 Replies

SoundGuy
Explorer
May 31, 2018
Lexx wrote:
First purchased the trailer on April 10th. I still have not received the license plates or title yet.

You haven't said where in Canada you're going but here in Ontario you'd need a plate on the trailer to even take it off the dealer's lot. Tow it on any roadway without a plate and you'd be sure to be stopped. I've never heard of a situation here where any new owner left without license and registration for the trailer.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
May 31, 2018
Bottom line is it’s good in California for 90 days.
DrewE
Explorer II
May 31, 2018
I don't think you would have any trouble with that. An unexpired temp registration is still a valid registration.

In my experience, if you're honest and straightforward and cooperative, the border officials are not out to make your day a bad day. Yes, they have the authority to detain you while they search your vehicle etc., which may happen due to random chance or not having crossed before or whatever, but keeping a cool head and a good attitude and letting them do their job will generally get you going before long. I've never encountered officials who have been anything but professional; sometimes humorless or even slightly brusque, but professional.

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Another issue - crossing into Canada with temp registration?

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