BritishGuy36

All this stuff you have to sort out just to buy a car sounds like another unnecessary headache to me.

Why does the US do EVERYTHING arse about face? I'm telling you I'll never get used to it all.....it's getting to me and I'm not even there yet.

Jerseygirl

Don't worry I've been here 12 years and still not used to it all.

meauxna

Because it's not the UK and just because it's not the UK way doesn't make it ass about.. pretend you're moving to, oh I don't know, let's say Greece. Yes, they're an EU country and yes, everything is supposed to be "equal" but they have their own alphabet, own language, own customs, own different type of government and their own way of doing things. Would you still call them "wrong"?
It's called moving to a foreign country. Things just are different.

Since when is registering your newly bought car some onerous or unusual thing to do?

Bob

when you've got to deal with the DMV

though saying that, it's not something you ever have to do when in the UK so it is a bit alien as the plate stays with the car and all that.

One thing that might be worth doing, if you've a local insurance broker and they have a runner, get them so sort all the paper work, that's what our insurance bloke did, worth the $15 runner fee, that person got us our plates, registered the car and everything which is an all day event otherwise

lansbury

wait to you get here they don't even speak a recognisable form of English.

Jerseygirl

The problem is that most people think because the US and UK share the same language...well sort of ..that the lifestyle and culture will be the same. They watch American TV programs and films and think they are fully prepared for life here. I was one of them...

Elvira

I don't think any amount of research could prepare a Brit for the DMV experience...

TruBrit

the only thing we share is the same alphabet

Elvira

Point of order, Ma'am: it's zed, not zeeeeeeeeee...

TruBrit

ah now i didn't say pronunciation....just the actual letters.

meauxna

Well I don't know how, because he's no genius, but the DH managed to buy himself two used vehicles since he's been here and get them appropriately titled and registered. He even got customized plates for the El Camino, which he's very pleased about.
We must live in one of those simple states.

I guess I'll have to let lansbury's comment stand on its own.

Kaffy Mintcake

It's a painful experience for an American too.

Kaffy Mintcake

The opposite is true as well. I think most Americans think that Brits have some fun names for things (i.e. jumper instead of sweater, etc.) but that the differences are few. It's all a matter of exposure and experience isn't it?

Bob

It's a state thing, because it was a doddle doing that and cheap in Maine, but a complete major pain in the arse down here in Mass...and a normal plate it was as it's so much more expensive

Poppy girl

I have a vanity plate took 12 weeks to get here and cost $45 I thought that was quite cheap.