SSN needed to Buy a Car?
#1
Just Joined
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Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
Posts: 27
SSN needed to Buy a Car?
Hi
We move to New Jersey on the 30th March and thought that we could buy a car as soon as we arrive HOWEVER our relocation "helper" has told us today that we will not be able to buy and drive a car off of a "Car Lot" until we have our SSN!
If this is correct could we buy a car from a "Private" seller and get round it that way?
We thought that it would only take about 10 days to get our SSN however supposidly there are delays of upto 6 weeks to get one !! (our helper person today us this today also ARG!)
Thanks
Ax
We move to New Jersey on the 30th March and thought that we could buy a car as soon as we arrive HOWEVER our relocation "helper" has told us today that we will not be able to buy and drive a car off of a "Car Lot" until we have our SSN!
If this is correct could we buy a car from a "Private" seller and get round it that way?
We thought that it would only take about 10 days to get our SSN however supposidly there are delays of upto 6 weeks to get one !! (our helper person today us this today also ARG!)
Thanks
Ax
#2
Re: SSN needed to Buy a Car?
Hi
We move to New Jersey on the 30th March and thought that we could buy a car as soon as we arrive HOWEVER our relocation "helper" has told us today that we will not be able to buy and drive a car off of a "Car Lot" until we have our SSN!
If this is correct could we buy a car from a "Private" seller and get round it that way?
We thought that it would only take about 10 days to get our SSN however supposidly there are delays of upto 6 weeks to get one !! (our helper person today us this today also ARG!)
Thanks
Ax
We move to New Jersey on the 30th March and thought that we could buy a car as soon as we arrive HOWEVER our relocation "helper" has told us today that we will not be able to buy and drive a car off of a "Car Lot" until we have our SSN!
If this is correct could we buy a car from a "Private" seller and get round it that way?
We thought that it would only take about 10 days to get our SSN however supposidly there are delays of upto 6 weeks to get one !! (our helper person today us this today also ARG!)
Thanks
Ax
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Mar 18th 2011 at 12:43 pm.
#3
Re: SSN needed to Buy a Car?
Hi
We move to New Jersey on the 30th March and thought that we could buy a car as soon as we arrive HOWEVER our relocation "helper" has told us today that we will not be able to buy and drive a car off of a "Car Lot" until we have our SSN!
If this is correct could we buy a car from a "Private" seller and get round it that way?
We thought that it would only take about 10 days to get our SSN however supposidly there are delays of upto 6 weeks to get one !! (our helper person today us this today also ARG!)
Thanks
Ax
We move to New Jersey on the 30th March and thought that we could buy a car as soon as we arrive HOWEVER our relocation "helper" has told us today that we will not be able to buy and drive a car off of a "Car Lot" until we have our SSN!
If this is correct could we buy a car from a "Private" seller and get round it that way?
We thought that it would only take about 10 days to get our SSN however supposidly there are delays of upto 6 weeks to get one !! (our helper person today us this today also ARG!)
Thanks
Ax
#4
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Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 789
Re: SSN needed to Buy a Car?
I would press said helper on that point and ask for a better explanation. You might need the SSN or the confirmation that you're not eligible for one to get a drivers license (which you might need to register a car) but I've not heard of any state that requires you to have an SSN to register the car. And I certainly wouldn't hand out an SSN to just anybody who asks for it, be it a car dealer or not.
#5
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Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
Posts: 27
Re: SSN needed to Buy a Car?
I would press said helper on that point and ask for a better explanation. You might need the SSN or the confirmation that you're not eligible for one to get a drivers license (which you might need to register a car) but I've not heard of any state that requires you to have an SSN to register the car. And I certainly wouldn't hand out an SSN to just anybody who asks for it, be it a car dealer or not.
This is what our relocation expert said in her email:
Buying a car: No. You can buy the car anytime, but you can not drive it off the lot until you have a SSN card (and car insurance, but that can be obtained in a matter of hours).
Many dealers will even tell you that you will need a NJ drivers license to buy a car, but this info is not true. If the dealer tells you this, I usually speak to the dealer and advise them what nr to call to verify that you do not need a drivers license but only a SSN card. Please make sure that the dealer is aware of this before you buy the car. There are some dealers who will not sell the car unless you have a valid NJ license. Obtaining a NJ license is a whole different process which requires taking a knowledge test. You need a SSN to apply for a NJ license
We will be buying the car Cash so no credit required and have our UK driving License and International Driving Permit... obviously we will have insurance in place!!
We are coming over on a L1 visa - Hubby and the Kids and myself an L2 visa - don't know if that helps!!!
My hubby has looked into what you need to register the car but it doesn't look like they need an SSN.
#6
Re: SSN needed to Buy a Car?
Hi
We move to New Jersey on the 30th March and thought that we could buy a car as soon as we arrive HOWEVER our relocation "helper" has told us today that we will not be able to buy and drive a car off of a "Car Lot" until we have our SSN!
If this is correct could we buy a car from a "Private" seller and get round it that way?
We thought that it would only take about 10 days to get our SSN however supposidly there are delays of upto 6 weeks to get one !! (our helper person today us this today also ARG!)
Thanks
Ax
We move to New Jersey on the 30th March and thought that we could buy a car as soon as we arrive HOWEVER our relocation "helper" has told us today that we will not be able to buy and drive a car off of a "Car Lot" until we have our SSN!
If this is correct could we buy a car from a "Private" seller and get round it that way?
We thought that it would only take about 10 days to get our SSN however supposidly there are delays of upto 6 weeks to get one !! (our helper person today us this today also ARG!)
Thanks
Ax
Back in 1996 we couldn't get auto insurance without a NJ driver's license...of course that may have changed.
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Mar 18th 2011 at 2:29 pm.
#7
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
Posts: 27
Re: SSN needed to Buy a Car?
His job is based in NJ so we will have a look at NJM for a quote.
I am SO stressed and rather fed up as we have had no "nice" surprises since we said "YES" to this blooming job! It will better be worth it
#8
Re: SSN needed to Buy a Car?
It is difficult at first but at least you can always come on here and ask for advice...or just have a good old moan.
#9
Re: SSN needed to Buy a Car?
Thanks Tim.
This is what our relocation expert said in her email:
Buying a car: No. You can buy the car anytime, but you can not drive it off the lot until you have a SSN card (and car insurance, but that can be obtained in a matter of hours).
Many dealers will even tell you that you will need a NJ drivers license to buy a car, but this info is not true. If the dealer tells you this, I usually speak to the dealer and advise them what nr to call to verify that you do not need a drivers license but only a SSN card. Please make sure that the dealer is aware of this before you buy the car. There are some dealers who will not sell the car unless you have a valid NJ license. Obtaining a NJ license is a whole different process which requires taking a knowledge test. You need a SSN to apply for a NJ license
We will be buying the car Cash so no credit required and have our UK driving License and International Driving Permit... obviously we will have insurance in place!!
We are coming over on a L1 visa - Hubby and the Kids and myself an L2 visa - don't know if that helps!!!
My hubby has looked into what you need to register the car but it doesn't look like they need an SSN.
This is what our relocation expert said in her email:
Buying a car: No. You can buy the car anytime, but you can not drive it off the lot until you have a SSN card (and car insurance, but that can be obtained in a matter of hours).
Many dealers will even tell you that you will need a NJ drivers license to buy a car, but this info is not true. If the dealer tells you this, I usually speak to the dealer and advise them what nr to call to verify that you do not need a drivers license but only a SSN card. Please make sure that the dealer is aware of this before you buy the car. There are some dealers who will not sell the car unless you have a valid NJ license. Obtaining a NJ license is a whole different process which requires taking a knowledge test. You need a SSN to apply for a NJ license
We will be buying the car Cash so no credit required and have our UK driving License and International Driving Permit... obviously we will have insurance in place!!
We are coming over on a L1 visa - Hubby and the Kids and myself an L2 visa - don't know if that helps!!!
My hubby has looked into what you need to register the car but it doesn't look like they need an SSN.
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
P.O. Box 160
Trenton, NJ 08666
(609) 292-6500 or toll free in NJ (888) 486-3339
http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/
#10
Re: SSN needed to Buy a Car?
The SSN requirement is more likely a product of the slimy way car dealers work than law.
Dealers tend to insist that you drive away with the car on the day of the deal. However, if you have pre-arranged financing, it may fall through, and if you're paying in full, your check might bounce. To cover their sorry asses, they write up their own, second note to be used under such a scenario. If the primary financing closes, they tear up the second note. If it doesn't, they will revert to the second.
Here in AZ, it's common for them to tell you they require your SSN because of the Patriot act rather than admit that it's actually to pull your credit for their back-up loan. For those who like to amuse themselves with bottom feeders, take the URL of the Patriot act with you and ask them to find the relevant paragraph when they demand your SSN. Add a little wager to it as well if you like to really twist the dagger as you plunge it in.
Dealers tend to insist that you drive away with the car on the day of the deal. However, if you have pre-arranged financing, it may fall through, and if you're paying in full, your check might bounce. To cover their sorry asses, they write up their own, second note to be used under such a scenario. If the primary financing closes, they tear up the second note. If it doesn't, they will revert to the second.
Here in AZ, it's common for them to tell you they require your SSN because of the Patriot act rather than admit that it's actually to pull your credit for their back-up loan. For those who like to amuse themselves with bottom feeders, take the URL of the Patriot act with you and ask them to find the relevant paragraph when they demand your SSN. Add a little wager to it as well if you like to really twist the dagger as you plunge it in.
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 789
Re: SSN needed to Buy a Car?
That's pretty much what I was thinking, too. It's apparently not uncommon, have a look here under the "Abuse of the Patriot Act" part.
I've asked this question on my favourite car nut forum as I know there are a couple of people from Jersey on there. I'll post in this thread again if I get a response there.
I've asked this question on my favourite car nut forum as I know there are a couple of people from Jersey on there. I'll post in this thread again if I get a response there.
#12
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
Posts: 27
Re: SSN needed to Buy a Car?
That's pretty much what I was thinking, too. It's apparently not uncommon, have a look here under the "Abuse of the Patriot Act" part.
I've asked this question on my favourite car nut forum as I know there are a couple of people from Jersey on there. I'll post in this thread again if I get a response there.
I've asked this question on my favourite car nut forum as I know there are a couple of people from Jersey on there. I'll post in this thread again if I get a response there.
It has changed a crisis into a manageable problem that we hopefully can overcome xx
#13
Re: SSN needed to Buy a Car?
Unless you are going to one of the luxury car dealersips expect a hard sell. The car salesmen will pounce on you before you can get through the door and they will pressure you to make the deal there and then. Before they will enter into any discussions they will want to make a note of all your details.
#14
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Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 789
Re: SSN needed to Buy a Car?
From what I've heard back so far, it looks like for certain types of transactions the dealer can ask for your SSN even if you pay cash for your vehicles mainly for money laundering purposes and especially if it's a cash transaction that's large enough to have to be reported to the IRS.
Nobody mentioned if that's an issue for private sales and any private seller asking for my SSN if I wanted to give him money would hear two words, the second one being "Off".
Another simple way to avoid this crisis is to rent a car for the first month and after a couple of weeks when you've successfully made it into the USCIS computer system, go down to the local social security administration office and apply for a number in person. They can give you a letter with the number the following business day if you've applied early enough in the day (ie, not five minutes before closing). That's how I ended up getting my SSN as the 'automatic' process doesn't always work.
Nobody mentioned if that's an issue for private sales and any private seller asking for my SSN if I wanted to give him money would hear two words, the second one being "Off".
Another simple way to avoid this crisis is to rent a car for the first month and after a couple of weeks when you've successfully made it into the USCIS computer system, go down to the local social security administration office and apply for a number in person. They can give you a letter with the number the following business day if you've applied early enough in the day (ie, not five minutes before closing). That's how I ended up getting my SSN as the 'automatic' process doesn't always work.
#15
Re: SSN needed to Buy a Car?
Unless you are going to one of the luxury car dealersips expect a hard sell. The car salesmen will pounce on you before you can get through the door and they will pressure you to make the deal there and then. Before they will enter into any discussions they will want to make a note of all your details.
The site Tim referenced (carbuyingtips.com) should be read from cover to cover before attempting to step into any dealership.