spudd

Hi all,
I've just arrived in the US and am in the process of buying a car.

Can anyone tell me if I'll need to do a practical test, as well as the theory test to get a licence in NJ?

And, what the approximate cost is for registering a used car here?
- From what I can tell, it's $60 for the title transfer and $46.50 for the registration fees (>2 yrs old, <3500 lbs)
- The dealer wants to charge me $350

Thanks!
PS I'm Irish so I hope you'll allow me to stay on BE!

meauxna

What immigration evidence do you have? It's all about that now, for getting your license. What is your visa type?

spudd

I've an L1 visa, does this change anything?

meauxna

It means you have the right documents for getting your driver's license!

You should be required to do a road test; I don't think there are any states that wills switch a UK for a US license.
Rules will be specific to your state, so confine your searches to New Jersey and the afternoon crowd from out there will be here soon to tell you all about it, I'm sure!

Jerseygirl

If you have a UK licence you will only need to take a multiple question written test...you will not need to take a practical road test.

There are strict rules about the ID you have to present when you apply for a driver's license.

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/6PointID.htm

Sorry, I can't help you about the used car thing because I've never bought one. If you buy a new car in NJ the dealer cannot let you drive it away until he has verified your insurance details with the insurance company...again I don't know if it's the same with a used vehicle.

spudd

Thanks for the replies. I decided to call the MVC to find out.

Getting a licence, I "may or may not" be asked to do a practical test, was what I was told, she wouldn't be more specific!

Regarding the registration charges, the dealer is having me on, the fees are exactly as I thought, he's out of state so I could give him the benefit of the doubt (maybe).

The only thing I forgot to ask was whether the cost of the plates is on top, or including these charges?

Jerseygirl

What is the MVC?

If you have a UK licence you do not have to take a road test in NJ...you only take a written test. You just turn up at the nearest centre and sit the test...you will need photo ID...good idea to take your PP c/w US visa and your UK driving licence.

BTW the reason that she wouldn't be more specific is that most of the employees don't know the answers to most of the questions asked of them.

Octang Frye

Spudman69, the driving tests over here are ridiculously easy. Don't sweat it.
Welcome to Americaville.

spudd

The MVC is the Motor Vechicle Commission, as I understand it, what NJ calls it's DMVs (http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/)

I have an Irish licence, I'm not sure if that changes anything, as we're all Europeans, I hope not! I'll find out soon enough.

Before that though, I need to study the rules of the road. A lot of it looks straight forward, but there are a lot of details to learn (mainly about stopping distances & fines)

avanutria

I asked my dealer about this when I bought. He said I would be welcome to do the titling myself but that I would not be permitted to drive the car anywhere until it was done. I would have to go to the DMV in person, submit the paperwork, wait for the permit/licences, then come back again to the dealership. Since this dealership was about 50 minutes from my house I decided to have him do it. As I understand it the dealership is able to issue temporary plates that I use while the paperwork is processed, and then I came back a few weeks later to get the "real" plates.

So it's a convenience thing, and as with any convenience you are paying for the saved time. I would check with your DMV to find out if it is legal for people to self-title in your area. Then ask your dealer the same question. If the answers don't match, he is lying, and you should go elsewhere.

elfman

and how long have you lived in NJ?

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/

spudd

Thanks for the welcome! I've heard the tests are straightforward. I've been living in mainland Europe for a few years so have plenty of experience on the "wrong" side of the road, still if I can avoid having to take a test, all the better!

spudd

I posted a reply to you a minute ago ...hasn't shown up though???
MVCs as far as I understand it are NJ's version of DMVs (but I'm no expert!)

Jerseygirl

Too bloody long!!

Yes silly me it's the new name for the DMV as per my link in post #5...I'll go back to sleep now.

MsElui

just wanted to say that in OHIO - we had to take a letter from the employer on headed paper that stated my husband was still employed as an L1 by the company, at the address of xxx, and that I was his wife on an L2. The licence bureaus wouldnt give us the licence until we produced that letter so might be worth having your HR dept knock up something simple to take with you as it may help. we got the letter that afternoon and went back but we could have saved time. (we also had to sit the practical and theory tests again).