Buying in the USA as a Foreigner

[ArtCloud Trekka]

Hi Vandwellers,

I thought I had it all worked out.  Buy a van in New York travel for 4 months sell it for a lot less than worth for a quick sale all good.

But No! I can't pull the 6 points together to prove who I am to the DMV.  (Yet I have a visa and DHS let me in)

So does anyone know a state that a Foreigner can buy in easily, or does somebody want to rent me there van?

Bit stuck, any advise or sugestions greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Stephen

 

[Phantom Blooper]

This lady is from Demark and bought in RV here in the states last October.

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-It-Has-Happened

You may want to PM her and find her story or go on her FB page.

Good luck!

 

[KASibson]

(Edited because I gave some inaccurate information.)

Is the issue is that you don't have a residence in the USA?
You might want to try a state other than New York.

 

[ArtCloud Trekka]

(Edited because I gave some inaccurate information.)

Is the issue is that you don't have a residence in the USA?
You might want to try a state other than New York.

Residence is not a problem, getting the 6 points to prove who I am for the DMV is

My Passport and visa is 3 points, a credit card 1 point, and I thought my Australian Drivers Licence would of been OK for the other 2, but no

So after doing a bit more google time, apparently I can get an 'ineligible' for a Social Security Number letter which will count as 2 points, so I'm off to the Social Security Office tomorrow.

 

[wagoneer]

Just buy a van and don't register it make sure the tags are good for the time you are using it and get insurance. when I was a po kid I just got a good camera and took a photograph
cut it out and glued it on

 

[TrainChaser]

Not good advice, Wagoneer.

1. Things have changed since you were a kid.
2. If he plows into a school bus and everybody burns up, they go for the throat of the last legal owner if he didn't give the DMV the info on who he sold it to. One of my employers got arrested for running over a kid; if he didn't look so opposite (Swedish) from the man who was seen doing the damage (Hispanic), he could have been in some real trouble.

ArtCloud: Where is that list of points? NY has a lot of bureaucratic fruitcakes -- find another state with fewer requirements..... and didn't lose a World Trade Center in the last 20 years.

 

[ArtCloud Trekka]

Maybe when I was young and dumb Wagoneer

Hey TrainChaser, I need the points to prove who I am, my Aussie passport counts for 3, credit card 1, and I thought I'd be alright with Aussie Drivers Lic and other photo ID's I have for the other 2 but no go, they aren't on the list. I'm off to the social security office tomorrow to get a letter from them stating I can't get a social security number and this letter should be accepted as the extra 2 points I need.

It's been difficult finding out which state is the easiest to buy in, NY didn't require a residence and allowed foreigners to title/register so thought it be the best choice

 

[TrainChaser]

I meant, where do you find that list of possibilities? Web link? Just curious, as usual.

 

[highdesertranger]

I have never heard of non-citizens not being able to buy a vehicle. that's a new one on me. highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

It's not that he can't BUY a vehicle.  It's just that he can't REGISTER it, because he doesn't have enough proof of his ID.  You would think his Australian passport would be enough proof, but it isn't.  Here's the list from the NY DMV:

https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/id82.pdf

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

i don't know if this still holds true, but I worked for a construction company that hired a lot of illegal Brazilians. They'd all fly to Oregon and get their driver's license then fly to Maine to buy and register a vehicle. The combo of the two states was the only way they could get a car legally registered. This was about 10 years ago so I don't remember all the particulars. I just remembered the two states because I have family in both.

I think you'd have an easier time just going to a state outside of New York. I'd prob avoid California too.

 

[highdesertranger]

California will give a driver license to anyone. they do not care about your citizenship status. highdesertranger

 

[TrainChaser]

HDR is correct. Here are the requirements for vehicle registration: https://www.dmv.org/ca-california/car-registration.php

AZ is also easy. Just google 'Vehicle Registration Requirements' for the states nearest you, until you find one where you can fit the requirements.

 

[ArtCloud Trekka]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Think I've got it sorted, fingers crossed. Back to the DMV tomorrow with my letter from the Department of social security.

The reason I had chosen NY was because I didn't need a American residential address, but did have a 'holy shit' moment with the cost of insurance in NY for a international drivers licence and obviously never having had insurance in the States.

 

[sephson]

HDR is correct.  Here are the requirements for vehicle registration:  https://www.dmv.org/ca-california/car-registration.php

California actually makes something easy?! :huh: 
I would never have believed it if it weren't for the fee attached to the registration. There was my "Ah ha!" moment. Of course they make it easy to relieve you of your money! :dodgy:

 

[ArtCloud Trekka]

I'm out by 'ONE' point proving who I am. I have 3 additional Photo ID's (other than my passport) from Aussie and they are not excepted. It's not looking good for buying in New York.

In the other states mentioned I have to prove residency, which is something NY doesn't need. And proving residency is another issue I'd have to battle, and as I'm only here for four months its starting to waste travel time...

Looks like it might be time to rent something

 

[Gunny]

Come down to Texas and use my address. Rob

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I'm out by 'ONE' point proving who I am.  I have 3 additional Photo ID's (other than my passport) from Aussie and they are not excepted. It's not looking good for buying in New York.

In the other states mentioned I have to prove residency, which is something NY doesn't need.  And proving residency is another issue I'd have to battle, and as I'm only here for four months its starting to waste travel time...

Looks like it might be time to rent something

Speaking of Texas, maybe you should look into joining Escapees.  My understanding is that their mail forwarding service provides an address that is acceptable to Texas for Driver's License, Vehicle Registration and Insurance, etc.  Why not give them a call and discuss your situation with them?

https://www.escapees.com/

 

[ArtCloud Trekka]

Come down to Texas and use my address. Rob

Thanks for the offer.  The way I understand it, you'd have to put it under your name then insurance gets interesting, and you could end up being liable for tickets/accident etc. Not something I'd want to put onto somebody

 

[Gunny]

Thanks for the offer.  The way I understand it, you'd have to put it under your name then insurance gets interesting, and you could end up being liable for tickets/accident etc. Not something I'd want to put onto somebody

I don't think so. If I added your name to my lease you would be just as legal as I am. And I am good friends with management. The offer is real, I don't bullshit so check around and if you want I can check here too. 

Spent two R&R's in Australia, my way to pay back 

PM or let me know in the thread. Rob