buying a car without US licence?
Oct 1st 2011, 1:02 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 174
buying a car without US licence?
Hi
The day has finally come, we are at the airport on our way to California!! we rented a car for a week but Im wondering if we can buy a car without US licence? if so we might extend the rental when we arrive
could someone possibly let me know?
thank you very much
Laety
The day has finally come, we are at the airport on our way to California!! we rented a car for a week but Im wondering if we can buy a car without US licence? if so we might extend the rental when we arrive
could someone possibly let me know?
thank you very much
Laety
Oct 1st 2011, 3:57 pm
#2
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: buying a car without US licence?
In most states, you can certainly buy a car without a US license. However, it'll be very difficult to insure it, register it, and get license plates for it without a US driver's license and proof of residency. But, you can buy it.
Ian
Ian
Oct 1st 2011, 4:00 pm
#3
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21
Re: buying a car without US licence?
Sure you can buy a car. You can even get a US licence. It costs some $60 and takes about 1/2 day of time to take the test.
Oct 1st 2011, 4:18 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
Re: buying a car without US licence?
While you can buy a car without having a US license you will be putting unnecessary roadblocks in your way and making life more difficult for yourself than necessary if you don't go ahead and get a US license as soon as possible.
In California you are supposed to get a California license within 10 days of becoming resident in the state - in practice that is rarely possible for new arrivals since you will have to wait for your social security number before you can get the license - nevertheless you should try to get a license as soon as possible - in the US a driver's license is the universal form of identification and without one you pretty much don't exist.
If I were you I would keep the rental car for the first 30 days or so and not rush to try and buy a vehicle within the first week .
In California you are supposed to get a California license within 10 days of becoming resident in the state - in practice that is rarely possible for new arrivals since you will have to wait for your social security number before you can get the license - nevertheless you should try to get a license as soon as possible - in the US a driver's license is the universal form of identification and without one you pretty much don't exist.
If I were you I would keep the rental car for the first 30 days or so and not rush to try and buy a vehicle within the first week .
Oct 1st 2011, 11:33 pm
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,259
Re: buying a car without US licence?
Different in Ohio I know but I got a car rental for 19 days when we came over, which gave me time to get my Ohio license and buy and insure a car before the rental had to go back.
Insurance is more problematic and most definitely more expensive without a US license, I agree with the others above that your US license should be top priority.
Insurance is more problematic and most definitely more expensive without a US license, I agree with the others above that your US license should be top priority.
