Getting a car when you move to the U.S. is going to be an important decision, especially if you live in an area with little public transportation.

Unless you're moving to a city where you can walk to wherever you need to go, you're going to have to get a car as soon as you move to the U.S. You will also most likely need a new driver’s license. Take the appropriate steps and you will be on the road in no time.

How to get an American driver’s license

Get your

driver’s license

or renew it before you leave your country. You may have to get a new one when you get to the U.S., but it will be easier if you already have a valid driver’s license.

Determine if you need to get a U.S. driver’s license right away. This varies, depending on the state you live in. Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to find out. They can also provide you any information about what you need to do at the DMV to complete the process successfully.

Driving without a license

can cause you a lot of trouble if you're pulled over it, so make sure you get it before you hit the road.

Figure out how you will pay for the car

Consider your

budget

to figure out how much you can pay. Decide how much you can spend on a car.

If you don’t have enough cash to pay for the car outright, figure out how much money you can spare each month for a payment on a

car loan

You will need enough cash for a 10% to 20% down payment, taxes, and the registration fee.

Contact

International AutoSource

. They have Expatriate Car Programs that can help you get a car.

Talk to your new employer to see if the company you work for can help. Larger companies often have a Credit Union that is prepared to loan money to new American citizens.

If not, you may be able to get financing through the dealership where you buy the car or through a bank. Get a letter from your employer that proves you are employed and states how much you earn each month. It may be difficult to get a

loan

without a decent credit score, so this step will help.

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Figure out which type of vehicle you need to get

Think about how you will use the vehicle.

Do you need to transport supplies?

Will you be driving a long distance every day?

Do you have a family to transport or are you on your own?

Narrow down the list of potential vehicles.

Can you only afford a used car or can you afford a new car?

Do you need a car that gets good mileage to reduce the cost of gas?

Do you need an SUV, CUV, or van?

Do some test driving. Go to area dealerships to see what’s available and go for a drive to make sure you like how the car handles. If you go to a dealership with the intention of buying a car, make sure you

bring the right stuff

Check online sites, too, for vehicles that are being sold by the owner. Popular sites include:

Get car insurance coverage

Before you drive your car off the lot, you need to make sure you have insurance.

If you’re shopping for car insurance,

Jerry

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The savings keep coming even after Jerry finds you great insurance at the lowest price. Before every policy renewal period, you’ll be presented with new competitive quotes, which means you’ll always have the best coverage at the best price.

If you'd prefer to find quotes yourself the old-fashioned way instead, here's how:

Contact car insurance providers. Let them know what make, model, and year the car is that you want to buy and find out how much they charge for insurance. Get quotes from several providers to make sure you get the best rate.

Decide on a car insurance provider. Contact your chosen provider and make arrangements for insurance.

Get insurance before you buy the car. You absolutely must have car insurance before you drive your new car home. Get everything in order with your insurance provider before you go to pick up your new car.

Go pick up your car. If you buy your vehicle through a dealership, they will give you a temporary registration and a 30-day license plate.

You will have to go to the DMV for a permanent license plate within 30 days. If you buy it from a personal seller, get a bill of sale and the title signed over from the owner to you. Take these to the DMV to get the car transferred over into your name. You will then be able to get license plates, which must be put on the car before you drive it.

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