DRIVING ACROSS THE USA AS A FOREIGNER
Feb 22nd 2008, 6:27 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2
DRIVING ACROSS THE USA AS A FOREIGNER
I'm currently in my gap year and want to drive across the USA over a few months in summer 2009. I'm 18 ( i will be 19) and will have had british driving licence for over 2 years. I want to buy a cheap car and then drive it across from the east to west coast and probably sell it when i get there. I would like to know if I need any sort of INTERNATIONAL licence that i've been hearing about and the main problem; car insurance. Can I insure an american car for driving across the whole of the US on a british licence and a tourist visa. any other relevant info on road trippin the USA would be much appreciated also. thanks
Feb 22nd 2008, 6:39 pm
#2
Mr. Grumpy
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 3,100
Re: DRIVING ACROSS THE USA AS A FOREIGNER
I'm currently in my gap year and want to drive across the USA over a few months in summer 2009. I'm 18 ( i will be 19) and will have had british driving licence for over 2 years. I want to buy a cheap car and then drive it across from the east to west coast and probably sell it when i get there. I would like to know if I need any sort of INTERNATIONAL licence that i've been hearing about and the main problem; car insurance. Can I insure an american car for driving across the whole of the US on a british licence and a tourist visa. any other relevant info on road trippin the USA would be much appreciated also. thanks
Feb 22nd 2008, 6:39 pm
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: DRIVING ACROSS THE USA AS A FOREIGNER
I'm currently in my gap year and want to drive across the USA over a few months in summer 2009. I'm 18 ( i will be 19) and will have had british driving licence for over 2 years. I want to buy a cheap car and then drive it across from the east to west coast and probably sell it when i get there. I would like to know if I need any sort of INTERNATIONAL licence that i've been hearing about and the main problem; car insurance. Can I insure an american car for driving across the whole of the US on a british licence and a tourist visa. any other relevant info on road trippin the USA would be much appreciated also. thanks
The insurance would be expensive without a US license I'd imagine.
Feb 22nd 2008, 6:43 pm
#4
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Re: DRIVING ACROSS THE USA AS A FOREIGNER
I'm currently in my gap year and want to drive across the USA over a few months in summer 2009. I'm 18 ( i will be 19) and will have had british driving licence for over 2 years. I want to buy a cheap car and then drive it across from the east to west coast and probably sell it when i get there. I would like to know if I need any sort of INTERNATIONAL licence that i've been hearing about and the main problem; car insurance. Can I insure an american car for driving across the whole of the US on a british licence and a tourist visa. any other relevant info on road trippin the USA would be much appreciated also. thanks
check into it.
Feb 22nd 2008, 6:46 pm
#5
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: DRIVING ACROSS THE USA AS A FOREIGNER
Perfectectly feasible
Insurance around $2000-$3000 for 6 months insurance
and allow $200 a day costs
To buy the car just Insurance is require ..
but some states do vary
Your UK licence is all you need
Insurance around $2000-$3000 for 6 months insurance
and allow $200 a day costs
To buy the car just Insurance is require ..
but some states do vary
Your UK licence is all you need
Feb 22nd 2008, 7:19 pm
#6
Boomshacalaca!!
Joined: Dec 2005
Location: South of the North Pole.......Colorado
Posts: 5,066
Re: DRIVING ACROSS THE USA AS A FOREIGNER
you will also need to figure out where to register car too (for the plates and taxes). If you know anyone out here where you can register it at their place it may make things easier too.
The Emision cert/sticker etc should be clarified too because many places its the seller's responsibility for the car to pass the emisions and to provide the sticker/cert or whatever... some places its not a seller responsibility. You most likely won't be able to register the vehicle w/o it; places vary.
The Emision cert/sticker etc should be clarified too because many places its the seller's responsibility for the car to pass the emisions and to provide the sticker/cert or whatever... some places its not a seller responsibility. You most likely won't be able to register the vehicle w/o it; places vary.
Feb 22nd 2008, 7:21 pm
#7
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: DRIVING ACROSS THE USA AS A FOREIGNER
you will also need to figure out where to register car too (for the plates and taxes). If you know anyone out here where you can register it at their place it may make things easier too.
The Emision cert/sticker etc should be clarified too because many places its the seller's responsibility for the car to pass the emisions and to provide the sticker/cert or whatever... some places its not a seller responsibility. You most likely won't be able to register the vehicle w/o it; places vary.
The Emision cert/sticker etc should be clarified too because many places its the seller's responsibility for the car to pass the emisions and to provide the sticker/cert or whatever... some places its not a seller responsibility. You most likely won't be able to register the vehicle w/o it; places vary.
Feb 22nd 2008, 7:23 pm
#8
Boomshacalaca!!
Joined: Dec 2005
Location: South of the North Pole.......Colorado
Posts: 5,066
Feb 22nd 2008, 7:27 pm
#12
Boomshacalaca!!
Joined: Dec 2005
Location: South of the North Pole.......Colorado
Posts: 5,066
Feb 22nd 2008, 7:38 pm
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,059
Re: DRIVING ACROSS THE USA AS A FOREIGNER
I'm currently in my gap year and want to drive across the USA over a few months in summer 2009. I'm 18 ( i will be 19) and will have had british driving licence for over 2 years. I want to buy a cheap car and then drive it across from the east to west coast and probably sell it when i get there. I would like to know if I need any sort of INTERNATIONAL licence that i've been hearing about and the main problem; car insurance. Can I insure an american car for driving across the whole of the US on a british licence and a tourist visa. any other relevant info on road trippin the USA would be much appreciated also. thanks
Ray seems confident that what you want to do is possible. Like everyone else, I'm not so sure. You'll have to get the car titled and registered, and you'll need insurance. I don't know how keen a US insurance company is going to be to offer a 90 day policy to a 19-year-old tourist. In the US, auto registration and insurance is a state-based system. 50 states means 50 sets of rules. About all you can do is start calling insurance companies in the state you're planning to begin your trip and see if anyone cooperates. I'd suggest renting/leasing instead, but at age 19 that isn't going to be easy either. Will you be travelling alone? Any chance of bringing a friend along? Someone 25 or older?
Feb 22nd 2008, 7:41 pm
#15
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Lake County IL
Posts: 1,953
Re: DRIVING ACROSS THE USA AS A FOREIGNER
Yes you can double your price for renting a car under 25!
