Buying a Car on a Tourist Visa

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08-26-2013, 03:53 PM
tourist123

Buying a Car on a Tourist Visa

Hello,

I don't know if this is pertinent to this website, but here it goes. I'm visiting the US for 3 months, on a tourist visa (ESTA), specifically California, and I'd like to buy a car. I would resell it before leaving basically at any price.
I've been looking into the process, and I can't find much information about it. I know I have to get insurance, which will be complicated and expensive, but possible. I have an international driver's license which I will carry together with my native driver's license. So I know it's complicated and probably expensive, but still cheaper than renting a car for 3 months.
What I don't know is whether it's legal or even possible to register a car at the dmv in California, as a tourist.
Does anyone have a clue? thank you!
08-26-2013, 04:03 PM
jk

Re: Buying a Car on a Tourist Visa

If your residence is California, then it is proper to register a vehicle in California.

as to the international license:

Quote:

International Driving Permits

The State of California does not recognize an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a valid driver license. California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident.
The IDP is only a translation of information contained on a person’s foreign driver license and is not required to operate a motor vehicle in California. Citations issued to a person in California who has an IDP, but does not have a California driver license will be placed on the Department of Motor Vehicle database.
The IDP is also called an International Driver License, International License, etc.

You should investigate the validity of your native country's driver's license. I do not believe all such licenses are accepted but not sure.
08-26-2013, 05:21 PM
llworking

Re: Buying a Car on a Tourist Visa

Quote:

Quoting tourist123

Hello,

I don't know if this is pertinent to this website, but here it goes. I'm visiting the US for 3 months, on a tourist visa (ESTA), specifically California, and I'd like to buy a car. I would resell it before leaving basically at any price.
I've been looking into the process, and I can't find much information about it. I know I have to get insurance, which will be complicated and expensive, but possible. I have an international driver's license which I will carry together with my native driver's license. So I know it's complicated and probably expensive, but still cheaper than renting a car for 3 months.
What I don't know is whether it's legal or even possible to register a car at the dmv in California, as a tourist.
Does anyone have a clue? thank you!

Registering the car is going to be your biggest problem. Insurance is possible, but expensive and the combo of your home country driver's license plus the international license will stand you in good stead in any state you drive in, but again, registering the car is the biggest issue.

Have you looked into a long term rental? Those can often be quite economical and less risky than hoping to sell the car for enough to make it less expensive than renting. Of course the other option would be to borrow a registered car from family or friends.
08-26-2013, 05:28 PM
jk

Re: Buying a Car on a Tourist Visa

how do you come to the conclusion that registering the car is going to be a problem? California is one of the most stringent states requiring non-residents to register a vehicle in California if their temp stay is too long.

of course we also have this:

Quote:

Registration Required: Primary Use

4000.4. (a) Except as provided in Sections 6700, 6702, and 6703, any vehicle which is registered to a nonresident owner, and which is based in California or primarily used on California highways, shall be registered in California.
(b) For purposes of this section, a vehicle is deemed to be primarily or regularly used on the highways of this state if the vehicle is located or operated in this state for a greater amount of time than it is located or operated in any other individual state during the registration period in question.

Amended Ch. 1008, Stats. 1988. Effective January 1, 1989.

I did not check the exceptions though.
08-26-2013, 06:33 PM
llworking

Re: Buying a Car on a Tourist Visa

Quote:

Quoting jk

how do you come to the conclusion that registering the car is going to be a problem? California is one of the most stringent states requiring non-residents to register a vehicle in California if their temp stay is too long.

of course we also have this:

Been through this with Aussie relatives. The lack of an SSN seems to put the CA DMV into a tailspin. In the end, my dad registered the car in IN in his name.
08-26-2013, 06:40 PM
jk

Re: Buying a Car on a Tourist Visa

Quote:

Quoting llworking

Been through this with Aussie relatives. The lack of an SSN seems to put the CA DMV into a tailspin. In the end, my dad registered the car in IN in his name.

I do not even see a place for a SSN on the application:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg343.pdf

and did you say he registered the car in Indiana? Of course you realize that if it is used in California as a regular place of use it must legally be registered in California, right?

dont take my post as argumentative though. You experienced what you experienced. My concern is that, hopefully, your relatives were not dealt with properly and hopefully an isolated situation. The law is what it is and that is all I can attest to.