Buy & Register a Car in Florida

[tchully 0]

Hello,

My brother is vising me in May and he wants to buy a car, is it possible in Florida for a non-immigrant on a tourist visa to buy, insure and register a car?

Thanks

[Pitaya 2,577]

Suggest that you contact Florida DMV and your insurance company for more information.

http://www.flhsmv.gov

[VOL 425]

I see no reason why he couldn't. You don't need a Driver License to get insurance, and you don't need a SSN to register a car.

I have purchased and insured motorcycles in other parts of the world.....

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

He would have to pay cash, banks aren't going to fiancé someone they can't track down.

[tchully 0]

Hi all, thanks for the replys. Yes, he's intending to pay all cash. So he pays for the car and just take he's international driver license to the DMV together with proof of insurance and an affidavit letter from me stating he's staying with us on our address? Thanks!!!

[milimelo 4,643]

Since you're there already, why don't you go double check with dmv and/or local car dealers this is feasible? Be specific - tourist, not a US resident, international dl.

How long is your friend staying that he needs a car and can't rent one?

[tchully 0]

I'll go to the DMV and check. It's my brother, he comes 2 or 3 times a year to visit, and it costs in avarage 1K everytime he comes, and he can shares the car with other family members that come to visit. So it would make sense long term to buy a car and instead of renting every time he comes.

[Boiler 47,042]

International drivers permit, a translation and not needed if your license is in English.

Obvious cheapest solution would be you to buy and insure it.

[Pinkrlion 2,725]

You need to check state laws and insurance requirements, as you cannot purchase or register a vehicle without proof of auto insurance. Most insurance companies will not issue a policy without a valid drver's license.

[jan22 3,153]

Before you can register a vehicle in FL, you have to get a FL driver's license (see http://www.dmv.org/fl-florida/car-registration.php). Since he likely can't get the license, since one of the requirements is to prove his FL residential address -- which he doesn't have as a non-immigrant and claiming yours as his might cause him future problems -- he can't title and license a car.

[tchully 0]

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question!