guitarmaan

Hi there. My wife and I will be moving out to Florida sometime soon, and will need to establish ourselves. Obviously getting transport is a necessity. My question is, what sequence of hoops should I jump through?

I have a UK full driving license, and my wife has a US license, though hers is from Chicago. I know different states have different requirements. We'll need to buy a car, insure it, tax it etc and we'll need to satisfy the Florida license requirements.

This throws up some issues. Do we need a Florida license before we can purchase a car? Do we need insurance before we buy a car or can that come after? Will the car have to be in my wifes name since I will only be resident on a visa?

It'll be mind bending I'm sure, so any advice is more than welcome. Maybe you've been through all this already?

ian-mstm

Well, Illinois... but I understand what you mean!


No.


You'll want insurance before you drive the car off the lot.


That depends... what visa will you have? Is this a transfer through an employer, or did your wife file an I-130 for you?

Ian

guitarmaan

Thanks for the info. My wife will be filing an I-130 this year.

TimNiceBut

Then it'll depend on your definition of "soon" as to when you'll be settling in Florida .

When I moved out here (NV) and we needed a second car (which happened before I got my license because we were waiting for the social security card etc), we bought, my wife put both our names on the title but only her drivers license number and nobody batted an eyelid. Of course we had insurance and everything sorted out already as in NV the seller keeps the plates and you either need to register the car or get a movement permit, both of which you can't get without proof of insurance.

Redwing

Some time ago, we had a guy in maintenance who worked part time as a police officer in the local rural town. One day he stopped an out of town driver for speeding, and asked him where he was from. He was told Chicago. He then said "If you're from Chicago, how come you've got an Illinois tag?" He never lived that down, but he was a darned good electrician.

meauxna

This is a little tangential to your questions but I think it will help: http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Immigrant_Visa_Arrival

At the bottom of the article are several links to the pages that explain what your new status in the US will be. While you wont' be exactly the 'same' as your wife (citizen), a Permanent Resident is just that, permanently resident in the US and allowed to do just about everything but vote and run for president.

You can own a car, and register it etc. For Florida specific questions, you need to get familiar with the DMV for that state. You will find most things MUCH easier if you get a driving license first. Your wife also needs to do this. A DL here is much more than a license to drive, it is the primary form of ID and is used more than you probably think.

ian-mstm

In that case, the day you enter the US you will become a US permanent resident (= green card). You won't be "on a visa".

Ian

guitarmaan

Some great info here. Thanks all!

ps-I take the point about Chicago & Illinois. I'll have to watch that in future