Motorhome travel
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Motorhome travel
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Motorhome rental
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We have already discussed the topics in detail.
How to buy a used car in the USA for a tourist and How to buy a used motorhome in the USA.
What to do next and how to register a car as a tourist in the USA will be discussed now.
Terms
Title — PTS (vehicle passport);
Certificate of registration — certificate of registration;
Bill of Sale — the sale account, in fact, performs the role of a purchase agreement, which specifies the data of the vehicle, the seller, the buyer and the cost;
SSN is a social security number assigned to all citizens and residents of America, legal migrant workers, and students. You can't get it on a tourist visa.
Stages of buying a motorhome in the USA
Checking the formalities
Make sure firsthand that the seller = the owner!
It happens that the car is sold by another person, and not the one who is listed in the Title by the owner. This may be one of the ways to cheat. Overbiddings also do not fit themselves into the Title and resell further. It's called title jumping and it's illegal! However, such a phenomenon occurs. If you still really liked this car, you can ask the seller to go with you to the DMV and transfer the money after registration. But if you want to register a car in another state and be calm, then you need the owner himself! It is better to ask about this in advance, before the meeting.
Title status
The title's status is indicated on the title itself. For accuracy, you can check on the DMV website. To do this, we are looking for the page of the state where the car is currently registered, and the corresponding section.
Title statuses:
Clean - clean is what you need!
Lien - burdened with collateral.
Salvage is broken. The car was badly hit, washed away by flooding, stolen, etc.
Rebuilt. Also after serious accidents.
Junk title - was given for scrap, but somehow miraculously rose from the dead.
Parts only - the car is to be sold for spare parts.
Missing - the title is lost.
There are also other statuses, but they are rare.
Title statuses:
Clean - clean is what you need!
Lien - burdened with collateral.
Salvage is broken. The car was badly hit, washed away by flooding, stolen, etc.
Rebuilt. Also after serious accidents.
Junk title - was given for scrap, but somehow miraculously rose from the dead.
Parts only - the car is to be sold for spare parts.
Missing - the title is lost.
There are also other statuses, but they are rare.
Checking the VIN
Before buying a car, it is advisable to check its VIN. You need to do this even before you come to watch it. However, there is a risk that you will not like the car and then you have spent in vain. Or check it right in front of the buyer. For example, using Carfax or many other paid services. There are also free ones, we used vincheck.info .
Checking the encumbrance
Usually, if the car is pledged, then at the bottom of the title there is a note about it in the "lien" field. We all go to the same DMV website for the current car registration and check the encumbrance by VIN or number.
Annual renewal of registration
In the USA, you need to renew your car registration every year and, of course, it's not free. There is a sticker on the back number indicating the month and year until which it is valid.
If you buy a car that has expired registration and will be registered in the same state, then get ready to fork out for all the years that the car has not been registered. In some states, it can cost a couple hundred dollars a year!
If you will be registered in another state, then rest assured - you will not receive any additional payments. The main thing is to issue a one-way permit to transport the car to the place of registration in another state. It is issued at the nearest DMV office to the place of purchase.
If you buy a car that has expired registration and will be registered in the same state, then get ready to fork out for all the years that the car has not been registered. In some states, it can cost a couple hundred dollars a year!
If you will be registered in another state, then rest assured - you will not receive any additional payments. The main thing is to issue a one-way permit to transport the car to the place of registration in another state. It is issued at the nearest DMV office to the place of purchase.
Paperwork with
the buyer
- We sign the Title and Bill of SaleWhen you've struck a deal, all you have to do is sign the Title and Bill of Sale on both sides (to the former owner and to you, as the new one). The Bill of Sale form can be taken from the DMV website of the state where you will register the car. Discuss with the seller in advance what price you will specify in the Bill of Sale.
You can check the market value of your car on the website www.kbb.com . Based on this figure, you will pay sales tax upon registration. It's better not to underestimate the cost too much, because this is America - the laws work here; it may or may not work. I've heard that some people negotiate with the seller and arrange it as a gift, then taxes are minimal. In most cases, you leave with your old license plates and will change them to new ones upon re-registration. - Insurance
At the moment when you got behind the wheel, you must have valid insurance in your hands (it will come off from the former owner until you have reissued it for yourself). When you arrive to register, you must have insurance in your name.
We applied online through www.progressive.com .
By the way, if you have American rights, then insurance will be cheaper. Read about how to get a tourist's license in America here. - Other documentsDepending on the State, you may need additional documents. For example, in California, you need to pass a SMOG test, which will show that your car does not emit toxic waste into the atmosphere.
Registration
Everything depends very much on the state where you will register your car.
There are difficulties for a foreigner
First of all, in some states you will be asked for an SSN, without which a car will not be registered. Accordingly, if you are in the United States on a tourist visa, then this is not your option.
Secondly, you need the address where the title will be sent. As a rule, you will immediately receive only a certificate of registration and temporary license plates with which you can drive. Title delivery takes an average of 10−20 business days. Moreover, in some states, the address must be confirmed with documents.
Thirdly, fees and taxes can vary significantly from state to state and can range from $ 30 to several hundred. The sales tax may amount to 5%-11% of the specified value of the car.
It is better to call/stop by the DMV beforehand and consult on all issues.
How do I search for a DMV?
You can view all their branches on the website, or type them into Google maps. Keep in mind that there are agencies in the United States that perform the same functions as the DMV, only they charge another $ 25-$ 40 for their services from above. By name, they are easily distinguished from DMVs.
Secondly, you need the address where the title will be sent. As a rule, you will immediately receive only a certificate of registration and temporary license plates with which you can drive. Title delivery takes an average of 10−20 business days. Moreover, in some states, the address must be confirmed with documents.
Thirdly, fees and taxes can vary significantly from state to state and can range from $ 30 to several hundred. The sales tax may amount to 5%-11% of the specified value of the car.
It is better to call/stop by the DMV beforehand and consult on all issues.
How do I search for a DMV?
You can view all their branches on the website, or type them into Google maps. Keep in mind that there are agencies in the United States that perform the same functions as the DMV, only they charge another $ 25-$ 40 for their services from above. By name, they are easily distinguished from DMVs.
Our history
We bought our motorhome in California. We rewrote the Title and filled out the Bill of Sale. We stopped at the local DMV and issued a one-way permit for $20 (since registration was 2 years overdue). We went to Yuma, Arizona, to register a mobile home and enter Mexico here, since Yuma is located on the border.
What's the beauty of Arizona for car registration?
First of all, you don't need an SSN for registration.
Secondly, you can specify any address in Arizona and it does not need to be confirmed.
Thirdly, you will immediately be given a Title, Certificate of registration and license plate.
UPD December 2020: now in Arizona, as well as in other states, the title and number are sent by mail to the address you specified. The good news is that you do not need to confirm the address with documents, but enter any address that is convenient for you.
Fourth, we paid only $28 for registration and no sales tax.
This is another significant advantage of Arizona for car registration, if you bought a used vehicle from a private trader, then the sales tax will be $ 0.
By the way, in Washington State or California, the same procedure would cost us $300-$600!
Documents required for registration:
an old Title with the signature of the previous owner and your details; registration certificate; your license and passport, if the license is not American; insurance.
The whole process took exactly 20 minutes.
What's the beauty of Arizona for car registration?
First of all, you don't need an SSN for registration.
Secondly, you can specify any address in Arizona and it does not need to be confirmed.
Thirdly, you will immediately be given a Title, Certificate of registration and license plate.
UPD December 2020: now in Arizona, as well as in other states, the title and number are sent by mail to the address you specified. The good news is that you do not need to confirm the address with documents, but enter any address that is convenient for you.
Fourth, we paid only $28 for registration and no sales tax.
This is another significant advantage of Arizona for car registration, if you bought a used vehicle from a private trader, then the sales tax will be $ 0.
By the way, in Washington State or California, the same procedure would cost us $300-$600!
Documents required for registration:
an old Title with the signature of the previous owner and your details; registration certificate; your license and passport, if the license is not American; insurance.
The whole process took exactly 20 minutes.
Nuance: in the cities of Phoenix and Tucson, you must pass the emission test to register. Details on www.dmv.org .
We went through this procedure in June 2018 with a 1995 Ford Tioga Montara motorhome. The registration process for a motorhome and a regular car in the United States is no different.
Arizona can also be the starting point of your journey. This is the state of the Grand Canyon, nearby Las Vegas and California with its numerous natural parks.
If you want to buy and register a car in another state, consult the DMV directly. It would be great if you could share information about your experience. In the future, I plan to make a review of all states about the possibility and conditions of car registration.
We went through this procedure in June 2018 with a 1995 Ford Tioga Montara motorhome. The registration process for a motorhome and a regular car in the United States is no different.
Arizona can also be the starting point of your journey. This is the state of the Grand Canyon, nearby Las Vegas and California with its numerous natural parks.
If you want to buy and register a car in another state, consult the DMV directly. It would be great if you could share information about your experience. In the future, I plan to make a review of all states about the possibility and conditions of car registration.
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