CityWalk

I need some help with the process of getting your Florida license. How much should I expect to pay insurance wise etc

I will be living in Florida under a Q visa from January.

The last time I went out for a year I ended up spending thousands on rental cars.. Probably in the region of $6/7k.

This time I plan to get my license, buy a $3k convertible and insure it. At least i'll get some cash back at year end when i sell it!

So whats the step to step guide to getting your Florida license? Is there anything I can do here in the UK to speed the process when I get there.

How much is car insurance?

davidAW

Everything you need to know about getting a drivers licence is here - http://www.dmvflorida.org/driving-test.shtml

Car insurance costs an arm and a leg - if you have an accident and you don't have enough coverage (they don't get the "Fully Comprehensive" idea over here) then it will cost you an arm and a leg over the arm and a leg that you paid for the insurance in the first place! If you nudge into someone's bumper/fender here then chances are they will suddenly fall out of the car clutching their back/neck/leg and then sue you for an arm and a leg. My advice is to spend whatever it takes to get the best possible coverage - do not go with a State minimum company like "The General" or "Florida No-Fault" you will regret it later when you look at where your arm and leg used to be!

We have the best coverage we can find and for the year its just above $5000 in premiums and that's not the best available - its always a trade off but do not skimp on this!

Pulaski

If you're only spending 3k on a car you'll also need a budget for repairs!

The certainty of having a reliable car might mean the rental option isn't so bad after all.

CityWalk

Im sorry I swear I just read $5k for insurance.

3/4k will get me a 10yo Eclipse Spyder

CityWalk

The problem i was having with the license was the conflicting information from the DMV and http://www.gathergoget.com/.

Im guessing the best option is to treat this like I have never had a license before

Pulaski

Are you Mexican?

CityWalk

Am I missing a joke here?

Anyway here's an example http://orlando.craigslist.org/ctd/3347430877.html

davidAW

Oh yeah, $5k - but that's for my Wife and I and two cars so figure half of that maybe but remember, this is the most litigious society in the World and Insurance and Health Care are the most corrupt industries!

Forget anything else about getting your license and look at the DMV site - it does not matter whether you have a full licence anywhere else, you must take the written and driving tests - don't worry about the driving part though, half blind octogenarian's pass first time such is the ease of the test!

Currently its $48 for a new licence and that may include the test.

davidAW

And the reason for the price? The age and it has Apollo Moon shot mileage!
You will get jacked on the price of insurance with that as well.

CityWalk

Well a friend of mine has a his Echo at over 200 000 and has hardly any money in it. He lives in Clemont.
Another friend had a Jeep Cherokee and it had over 200 000 on the clock we took it from Orlando to Memphis. Down to Miami a few times. The keys etc. Used daily to and from work. Cost him $1500. A $h1t heap but got us from a-b
Im there for a year so I'm looking something cheap and cheerful and top down! I have driven 100k BMW's here in the UK no problem.
As long as its maintained well

davidAW

Fair do's - you can always find a good one. But to be safe, make sure your insurance policy also covers roadside assistance!

CityWalk

Oh i'll be taking that piece of advice lol! I couldn't count the number of cars abandoned on the I4

I did considering buying a motorcycle but with 4pm thunderstorms Even though I'll be at work at that time. Id rather just rent one every now again and not worry about it sitting in the rain having no garage

davidAW

This may now be wrong but I seem to remember when I first came here (2002) that it was permitted to drive with your home country licence for a period up to one year - that may have changed now but in any event, I am sure that the Insurance company would charge big time in that scenario!

sir_eccles

Don't forget the small print at the bottom:

"Prices may not include additional fees such as government fees and taxes, title and registration fees, finance charges, dealer document preparation fees, processing fees, and emission testing and compliance charges."

Neptun

That's not correct:

http://ffdhsmv.custhelp.com/app/answ...ver-license-to