How to Import Right Hand Drive Cars to the United States of America

Due to differences in pricing, importing cars to the United States from abroad is becoming more common. Due to different road regulations, cars originating in other countries are often manufactured with their steering wheel fixed on the right-hand side. Although importing a Right Hand Drive (RHD) vehicle is legal, and the import procedures are no different than importing a left-hand drive vehicle, you must still exercise caution on the safety aspects of driving a right-hand drive vehicle on left-hand drive roads.

Instructions

1

Check if your vehicle is eligible for importation. A list of eligible vehicles is published on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. Although your vehicle is right-hand drive and thus nonconforming to U.S. roads, it may still be eligible for importation if it passes a certain safety standard.

2

Hire the services of a registered importer of nonconforming vehicles. A list of approved importers may be found on the NHTSA website. The importer will not only carry out the bureaucratic paperwork and shipment but will also take care of any necessary modifications that your vehicle will require (e.g. conversion from a metric speedometer), and will add these services to your final invoice.

3

Complete DOT form HS-7, which may be obtained from the NHTSA website. If your vehicle is on the list of eligible vehicles for importation, this form will declare that your vehicle passes safety, bumper, and theft-prevention standards.

4

Complete EPA form 3520-1 which may be obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This form will declare that your vehicle passes the emissions standards as stipulated by the U.S. government.

5

Register your vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. In addition to the usual paperwork that is submitted when buying a vehicle domestically, they will also require EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7.