Me and my girlfriend are coming to the US this summer, we
(as I'm sure loads of others have previously) have decided
that buying a car is our best option (more expensive more
flexibility) I've got some information but its all a bit
vague. HAS ANYBODY out there taken an American test to get
an American licience (who is a non-US national)- how
difficult is this (I was thinking about doing this in
NEVADA) if you are travelling with no fixed address. I'm
sure if you've done this you know the kind of stuff I need
to know (insurance, buying the car etc...)
Those in the know please respond (save a possible trip gone
wrong!)
CHEERS!!!
[There are 12 posts - the latest was added on Wed 19 May, 12:29]
Use the form at the end of this page to add your own post.
Topics
| Thorn Tree
| Home
Umm .. dont know if this is the way in all states but it
seems that in PA you have to have a medical statement from
some quack to ensure you are copus mentus, a SS # and an
address - in order to take the written test (computer
multiple choice) which you can do a week prior to the (yep
- very simple) driven test.
Insurance is usually done in 6 month stints. Which you
need an address for!
May be easier to hire a car (some places are cheaper than
others) - have to have a credit card though (try and get an
amex card) and then use that as insurance.
(Of course there are always none legal ways of getting what
you want ... did I say that)
I reckon you might be in for a lot of hassle - buying is
ok - as there are lots of cars available, however after
that it all might become a bit difficult. Registration,
insurance (almost impossible under 25) transferring the
title - repairs, time etc.... all makes buying a car really
really disheartening. Ive done loads of research into this
and decided its just not really worth it, unless maybe
you're over 25, or spending a lot of time there - two or
three months plus. If you are over 25 id advocate renting -
and if you're under 25 Id say choose Adventures on Wheels -
a company that sells cars and guarantees to buy them back
after a while...... good luck .. they're at www.wheels9.com
If you have a driver's license wherever you're from
(Canada?), it should be good in the US. Check with your
local authority. There are also Interenational Driver's
Licenses; again, check it out at home.
by his address i believe jackson is from the UK. british and canadian licenses (and many others) are generally recognized in the USA.
plenty of canadians (and others) keep seasonal homes in the southern states, and many of those buy a car locally so as to be able to fly down and be able to drive while there, so nevada authorities should be used to that. you need an address of some sort, but obtaining a social security card or getting a local driver's license shouldn't be necessary.
Maybe it's different if you are a non-citizen, but I
purchased my first insurance policy when I was 18 years old.
Over that time I got a couple of tickets, nothing big. Sold
my car and went without for awhile. Got my second car and
second insurance policy at age 21. Moved to a new state a
later and got my third insurance policy at age 22.
I'll certainly agree, though, that renting a car IS pretty
much impossible for under 25.
There was a similar post here awhile ago, and one person
said that in Nevada a hotel address will do. I think the
person went through the used car dealer to apply for
insurance & registration to help it along smoothly. I
would think your license or an international DL would be
sufficient.
Further to what Toby said, you should go for adventures on
wheels. They are very good, very reasonably priced, and can
insure anyone aged 19 or over.
We used them.
I have quite a bit of extra info if you really don't want to
use adventures on wheels. My email is above
This under 25 thing is news to me. I'm British and got my
license at 16, car at 18 and insurance right along with the
car. Like an above poster, a couple of tickets came and
went, the insurance company went "wo-hoo, we get to demand
more of your money every month" but other than that no
probs.
-
By the way, I'll be selling my car when I run off for my 6
month trip this summer. Cheap, 4 doors and reliable! :)
Respond here if you're interested.
Julie
I bought two cars during my US odyssey a few years back,
both cost under $800 and I didn't need an address or a US
licence. Hostels are a good place to buy a car as those
leaving just about give them away. They also tend to have
great driving and accommodation tips! Just make sure you
have great traveller's insurance though as driving on the
opposite side of the road can take a little getting used to
:) Safe travel, Sue
JUST BUY ANY CAR YOU LIKE. I'VE BEEN TWO SUMMERS DRIVING IN
THE STATES WITH TWO DIFFERENT VANS. IN 96 IT WAS A '69 VW
BUS FROM FRISCO AND IN '98 A CHEVY FROM CHICAGO. NO SOCIAL
SEC. OR EVEN REGISTRATION. NOT EVEN INSURANCE. THE POLICE
STOPPED US EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE AND HAVING THE TITLE AND
THE LICENSE WAS ENOUGH. I UNDERSTAND GOING WITHOUT
INSURANCE WAS PRETTY RISKY, BUT MY EXPERIENCE IS THAT BUYING
A -750$ CAR IN THE U.S. IS MUCH MUCH BETTER THAN RENTAL
RIP-OFFS. NO WORRIES, IN EUROPE IS DIFFERENT, BUT IN THE
STATES, THE VEHICLE PAPERWORK ISN'T THAT IMPORTANT. HAVE A
NICE TRIP!
passing test is a cakewalk. if you go in the Department of
Motor Vehicles you can get the information booklet and study
it for 20 minutes to pass a multiple choice written exam,
then take the eye exam and show them a bunch of
identification. a lot of states require you to show proof of
insurance before they will give you a license. As far as
the address part, may be you could go to one of the private
mailbox places and get a box. That way it has an address
that looks like a street address instead of saying PO BOX
Geico (or is it geicko) has an insurance page where you can
check rates. other companies are american family insurance
or state farm among many many others.
I'm Australian and got my US drivers license in California.
I had to get a Social Security card (told them I needed it
to open a bank account as I've heard they can be a bit
snooty if you say you want it for a license), then I had to
take a written exam and a driving test. It was all fairly
easy. Can't help much with insurance etc. as I was using
somone elses car and it was taken care of.