Right Hand Drive Rules., What, if possible, Makes them Legal. Options

[Soulend]

I did do a search and didn't see anything in the topic. anyway, Im curious, How to make a car street legal from Japan? I know that Emissions is the biggest thing hindering it from being street legal.

so what I'd like to know, and I'm sure there are others as well, is:

1. Is it legal to drive a RHD car on public roads in the US?
2. what Emission work needs to be done, and whats the possible cost on it.
3. what else would need to be done to make it legal?


Thanks for your input guys,

Soul

[_mikeE]

From what I know, to import a car from Japan, it has to be 15 yrs of age or older, AND its legal to have RHD except you have to have the registration papers and everything if a cop ever pulls you over so you can prove you legally imported it over and purchased it.
Also, its very dangerous to drive a RHD because compared to Japan's roads, they're the exact opposite from our roads, so parking is definitely goin to be a lot more difficult, and you'll have to get out of the car everytime you go to a drive-thru or u have someone in the passenger seat, AND you'll have to readjust your headlights for LHD use or else you'll blind ppl on incoming lanes.
Also, you're probably going to have to go get emissions testing and everything and make sure it reaches your ministry of transportation's expectations and regulations. And if anything, you'll probably have to "de-tune" some cars to pass smog tests.

[CaliJeff]

Additionally,
- all cautionary labels must be relabeled to english.
- by the ministry he is talkin about, request a pre-approval letter from the vehicle manufacturer that identifies your vehicle by the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This letter will determine if your vehicle complies with all applicable U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
- depending on the state, the car being imported (if it is a new model, such as 2008 model since it is 2008 now), must be brand new, not used.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval is also required. The EPA monitors air pollution from vehicle emissions. Contact them with the info.

[azian_advanced]

importing RHD cars is legal in the US if the car is at least 25 years old.

[playr158]

importing RHD cars is legal in the US if the car is at least 25 years old.

its 15 years

and of course RHD is legal in the US haven't you ever seen a mail truck?! or a skyline...

This post has been edited by playr158: May 5, 2008 - 8:22 AM

[azian_advanced]

skylines have been legalized after MotoRex completed the necessary requirements for the elegibility of importing skylines in the US.

mail trucks are legal because they are government service vehicles.

As a general rule, a motor vehicle less than 25 years old must comply with all applicable Federal
motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) to be imported on a permanent basis.

^http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/graymarket_RI_list12262007.pdf

[playr158]

skylines have been legalized after MotoRex completed the necessary requirements for the elegibility of importing skylines in the US.

mail trucks are legal because they are government service vehicles.

As a general rule, a motor vehicle less than 25 years old must comply with all applicable Federal
motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) to be imported on a permanent basis.

^http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/graymarket_RI_list12262007.pdf

yes but come through canadaz its only 15

[Razgriz]

I know that so far Nissan Skyline and Nissan Silvia are the only two japanese domestic vehicles that are already pre-approved for import on the FEDERAL level. (A few people in our local car club have them.) Other vehicles youve seen are sometimes on a state to state basis. One of the big hindrences of importation other than emmisions is crash test data.

[goferris]

you can import cars though by bringing them in as a kit car. my friend has a RHD integra type R that she imported a couple months ago. she had to bring it over in 2 crates. one had the shell. the other had all the parts. they imported it, then put it all together here in the states.
it's registered and it's legal and it's sexy

[Remy]

I though you could buy a type-r here in the states why go through all the trouble just for RH drive ITR ?? Anyways heres a pic of a real gt-r in MN too bad the kid who owns it don't know much about the car and I heard was smoked by a civic from friends at the track of course. Just an example of RH drive car in the states.



This post has been edited by Remy: May 11, 2008 - 10:50 AM

[goferris]

you can find ITRs in the states but they are hard to come by. and if you do find one they tend to be pricey. she got hers for only 10g with 55k mi on it. also the front end of the jdm ITR is so much sexier than the usdm integras.

[WH95TE]

I know a kid with a RHD 180sx

[rjbibeau]

I though you could buy a type-r here in the states why go through all the trouble just for RH drive ITR ?? Anyways heres a pic of a real gt-r in MN too bad the kid who owns it don't know much about the car and I heard was smoked by a civic from friends at the track of course. Just an example of RH drive car in the states.

ya jacko is a dumbass....

[96ST206]

I haven't had any problems with my RHD 180SX I've been pulled over half a dozen times and nobody says anything. I have all japanese labeling, japanese plates (US plate in the window), it really only gets driven on Sundays now so it's hardly ever on the street. Hey WH95TE, do you know the guy with the silver 1998 kouki 180SX? saw it on ebay really nice!

[_mikeE]

Im still wondering how that one person imported over an st205 into Ohio, it just got sold, it was in the buying section.