[fox46]

We just got back from Boston and after multiple years of border crossings here are my tips for a flawless crossing.

You will need a passport for each person in the vehicle and a permission form signed by the parents with contact information for any student under 18as well. Crossing the border successfully all comes down to how you present yourselves.

Remove all passport folders or protectors and have all passports opened to the center "photo" page and stacked one on top of each other. Have the permission forms stacked seperately in the same order as passports, ready to hand over if you are asked for them.

When you roll up to the booth, have both left windows rolled down so that they can see inside the vehicle. Make sure you do not have any cameras out, all two way radios and cellphones are off. Have all sunglasses and hats removed, keep your hands visible, have all documentation in easily accessible and visible locations such as on the dashboard. Make sure your trunk and trailers are unlocked in case the agent asks to look inside - they don't like you getting out of your car. If you have a loud diesel truck, turn the engine off and place the key on the dash so that you can easily communicate.

Be prepared to answer questions such as where you are going, what you are doing, each person may be asked where they are from, the driver will likely be asked if the vehicle(s) belong to them and what the license plates are. Have the ownerships and rental papers if applicable ready to hand over as well. They will also likely ask what you are bringing with you especially if you have a trailer.

NO JOKING AROUND - make sure the kids know this as well. Keep answers concise and to-the-point. If you are travelling in multiple vehicles, try to line up as a group so that the first car can inform the agent that you are a group travelling together- it will make it easier for the other vehicles to clear.

When you are released, proceed to the next exit and wait for your group at a designated area or along the shoulder of the on-ramp. Don't stop and wait at the border- they will ask you to move on and may not be polite about it.