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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / General Car Topics / March 2008Buying a car in the US as a tourist
Hi, I'm a German national and am looking into a three month vacation in the US this summer. I thought I'd like to buy a cheapish used van so I could even sleep in it in a pinch. There might be some serious milage involved as I'll start out on the East Coast and should like to see Washington, Virginia, possibly Milawukee, but also the West Coast, and possibly back again. I'd very much appreciate any helpful hints: - I'm not familiar with US car registration procedures. Can I own a car as a tourist at all, especially seeing I don't plan on having a permanent place of residence in the US during my stay? Will there be problems getting insurance? - Traffic rules, laws, customs: As far as I'm aware, my driver's license is valid for a year in the US, while I can only stay for 90 days as a tourist anyway. But maybe there's a web site or anything that I can use to prepare for "American" traffic? - Which web sites would you recommend to look for used cars on? In article <3a038bfc-4c85-44cb-9bb9-53a3dec73b75@8g2000hse.googlegroups.com>, > I'd very much appreciate any helpful hints: > > - I'm not familiar with US car registration procedures. Can I own a > car as a tourist at all, especially seeing I don't plan on having a > permanent place of residence in the US during my stay? Will there be > problems getting insurance? I don't see why not. I see students, refugees, and illegal aliens buying cars. Registration is pretty easy, but many states now require proof of insurance. That means getting an insurance policy for the vehicle with you as the driver. That might all take a few days to arrange once you get here. > - Traffic rules, laws, customs: As far as I'm aware, my driver's > license is valid for a year in the US, while I can only stay for 90 > days as a tourist anyway. But maybe there's a web site or anything > that I can use to prepare for "American" traffic? It is like German traffic, but just assume that everyone is either a really bad driver or is out to kill you. You will find the road system very extensive (both freeways and large 2-lane highways), but the surfaces are not going to be maintained like your autobahn. > - Which web sites would you recommend to look for used cars on? Cars.com & E-bay -john-  Signature====================================================================== John A. Weeks III 612-720-2854 john@johnweeks.com Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com ====================================================================== > aliens buying cars. Registration is pretty easy, OK, so what do I do, where do I go? Say in New York State? >but many states > now require proof of insurance. How do I get that? Can/should I use a German insurance company, like the one at which my present car is insured? If US car insurance works the same way US health insurance works, that might be a good idea =;-) I think a limited fire and theft insurance might also be a good idea to protect my "investment", although the car is not going to be too expensive, I was thinking about a Chevy Astro/GMC Safari at no more (but preferably than $4000. Where can I get insurance quotes? >That might all > take a few days to arrange once you get here. I thought so, which is why I'll be trying to cover as much as possible from here, over the web, before even entering the plane. > > that I can use to prepare for "American" traffic? > > It is like German traffic, but just assume that everyone is either > a really bad driver or is out to kill you. Being a motorcyclist, that pretty much sums up my usual mindset anyway =;-) > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > - Which web sites would you recommend to look for used cars on? Peter, If you live near a U.S. Embassy maybe you could get some information on the requirements of the state you plan on buying the car. Most states require a address so that they send your ownership papers to, perhaps your your address in Germany will do fine. As far as the insurance is concerned you may ask your German auto insurance agent if you can add a policy to cover you in the US. In the US we can buy insurance to cover our cars in Mexico and Canada that meet that countries requirements. I lived and worked in Germany/Europa (lived in Hanover) You Germans are the best drivers in the world! When you get to the US just watch out for the old people!! And in the Summer going west, don't drive through desert southwest during the day, you will cook yourself. Hope your trip here gos well and try and see some our national and state parks. Rick > Hanover) You Germans are the best drivers in the world! Thanks =:-) I do feel rather confident as far as my driving abilities are concerned. What I'm kinda worried about right now are things like unfamiliar traffic signs, road markings, driving conventions and things like that. Aren't there websites for teenage / first time drivers that cover issues like that? Or even buying guides for "My First Used Car"? In article <c278a693-04bc-4a9b-8168-48cc969aa0df@59g2000hsb.googlegroups.com>, > > Hanover) You Germans are the best drivers in the world! > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Aren't there websites for teenage / first time drivers that cover > issues like that? Or even buying guides for "My First Used Car"? What you need is a drivers manual put out by the folks that issue driver's licenses. Each state prints one. Minnesota has their manual on-line in the format of a series of PDF files: http://www.dps.state.mn.us/dvs/DLTraining/DLManual/DLManual.htm The MN test is less about the law and more about common sense. If you read the drug and alcohol stuff, then memorize the stopping distance formula, you will have about 75% of the test covered. Go for luck on the close ones, and you should pass with no problem. -john- Signature====================================================================== John A. Weeks III 612-720-2854 john@johnweeks.com Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com ======================================================================
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