On 22 Feb, 03:29, "SP Cook" wrote:
> On Feb 18, 4:51 pm, "stuffthejubilee"
> wrote:> I'm wondering if anybody could possibly give me some advice and help
> > me out. I live in the UK and am travelling to the US in December this
> > year and staying for 5 months(dependant on visa). I thought rather
> > than hire a car I'd buy a crappy old mini-van and drive across America
> > sleeping in it to save cash.
> > I was gonna try and buy one in Seattle and drive all over and sell it
> > around Miami, possibly to a dealer.
> > Is this possible? I've read that you have to have a permanent US
> > address to have plates to put on a car but is there a way round this
> > for foreigners?
>
> > I know a bit about cars and thought I could always get breakdown cover
> > if I'm desperate.
>
> Of course you can buy a car in the manner that you describe.
>
> However, you do need a US address. The best thing for you to do is to
> contact a dealer in Seattle and tell him what you want to do. They
> should be able to set you up, probabaly saying you "live" at the
> dealership or at a private postal location. There might be some
> issues with insurance, because you will not "exist" as far as the
> North American driving records computers go, but there are companies
> that will take care of you, albeit at a somewhat higher cost.
>
> Remember that in the USA (and Canada) car liscenses are issued by the
> state (provence, territory, district) not the national government, so
> selling a Washington car in Florida requires a few extra paperwork
> steps, but is really no big deal either.
>
> Certainly, there is no reason you should not do this. It is the best
> way to see the USA.
This sounds like an idea worth looking into. What would happen though
if I got pulled over by the police and they checked my papers. Would
it not ring any bells that the car I'm driving would be registered in
my name at a US address even though I wouldn't be a US citizen?
Strangely enough I've found a Dutch company that will insure me for
driving in the US. So, the registering of the vehicle could be the
major stumbling block.
Thanks for your help
Gavin
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