Powka

Hi,

I'm about to buy a USED CAR in Los Angeles, but I'm still with my European driving license (not British though). Can I register the license plate, register and insure that car on my name with EU driving license?

Thanks!

md95065

Registering the vehicle does not require a CA driver's license.
See http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr32.htm for details.
If you are buying a used car from a dealer then they should take care of all of the paperwork for you.

It is possible to get insurance without having a CA driver's license but you will have to shop around and it will be expensive.

On a separate, but related, note - registering a vehicle in CA is going to give rise to a pretty strong presumption that you are a CA resident and you are supposed to get a CA driver's license within 10 days of becoming a CA resident. While the 10 day requirement is, in practice, very often impossible to comply with you really should start the process of getting yourself a CA license as soon as possible.

Powka

Thanks for that, this was very helpful. It got me thinking then maybe I should instead rent a car and get a CA driver's license first.

Beaverstate

If you buy a low value car the only insurance you should get it liability. Your junker wont be covered but the other guy is.

Powka

Thanks for the advice. In that case will the insurance cost be significantly lower or just slightly?

Beaverstate

That would depend on the value of the used vehicle not insured. Naturally if you buy a $15,000 used car you would want to insure it. Also if the car is financed the bank would require it to be insured.

Zez

We did. We just had the written text booked for as early as we could to show we were trying to get our CA licenses since were then pretty obviously resident

Pulaski

"..... written TEST.... " Right?