Hi EveryoneNot sure where to start. I have so many questions. Here’s our story. We currently live in the UK. Starting in early 2014, we want to buy an RV and spend part of each year (3-6 months) touring around the US and Canada but starting in the US. The US is a big place so I can see us doing this for many years to come! My wife is English, I’m Irish but as we are both non-residents of the US, it creates some complications.We will not have a permanent address in the US so we need to figure out how to buy, register and insure a vehicle. From research, buying an RV won’t be such an issue but the registration and insurance might be more complex.Because we are not permanent residents (we will be visiting on a B2 visa that allows for stays of up to 180 days), I do not think it is possible for us to apply for a US drivers license. We will apply for an International License based on our UK license. I believe that these International Licenses are recognized by the authorities in the US and certainly good enough for renting a car but might be harder to find an insurance company to work with?So my first few (of many) questions to come….Have you any advice on how to buy, register and insure an RV in the US as a non-resident?Will a temporary address be acceptable for the registration of the vehicle?Can I register the vehicle in my name but at the address of a friend or colleague?Once the vehicle is initially registered, do you need to re-register if you subsequently change address?If Insurance is hard to arrange in my name, can I have a US friend insure it but include me on the policy? Is there any down-side to doing that?Is it possible to apply for a driving license as a non-resident in ANY state of the US?So if there is anyone out there who has experience of Expats like us trying to join the great RV community then please help!!!Kind regardsMagor

If you have friends here in the US that would be a good start for registering, claiming residence and getting insurance. If they live in Montana, South Dakots, or another state that has no taxes that is even better for you. Most states have a sales tax on the purchase of any vehicle. Here in Michigan it is 6% and licensing each year is based on the new cost until it is over 25 years old. It is definitely a lot less expensive to buy in the US VS Canada. Are you looking at new or used, Motorhome or trailer? I know a lot of people have done it so maybe someone wiull hop in with more answers.

Welcome, @Magor. I'm no expert on any your questions, but I'm sure folks who are will pop up in due course. I do know that it is certainly doable to buy, register, insure, and otherwise use an RV as a non-resident, because I've met folks who did so in my travels. I am also fairly certain that quite a few states will issue driver's licenses to non-residents, although not all. Because of the existence of citizens who live full-time in RVs traveling around the country, there are several services that provide a mailing address and forwarding services and thereby take care of several of your concerns. The full-timers very often have Texas, Montana, or North Dakota addresses, and usually register and insure their rigs in those states as well for a number of reasons, not the least of which being low taxes and insurance charges.

check out the mail forwarding locations in SDakota. surely somebody here can come up with an address/Email, etc.bumpy

Magor wrote:Hi EveryoneNot sure where to start. I have so many questions. Here’s our story. We currently live in the UK. Starting in early 2014, we want to buy an RV and spend part of each year (3-6 months) touring around the US and Canada but starting in the US. The US is a big place so I can see us doing this for many years to come! My wife is English, I’m Irish but as we are both non-residents of the US, it creates some complications.We will not have a permanent address in the US so we need to figure out how to buy, register and insure a vehicle. From research, buying an RV won’t be such an issue but the registration and insurance might be more complex.Because we are not permanent residents (we will be visiting on a B2 visa that allows for stays of up to 180 days), I do not think it is possible for us to apply for a US drivers license. We will apply for an International License based on our UK license. I believe that these International Licenses are recognized by the authorities in the US and certainly good enough for renting a car but might be harder to find an insurance company to work with?So my first few (of many) questions to come….Have you any advice on how to buy, register and insure an RV in the US as a non-resident?Will a temporary address be acceptable for the registration of the vehicle?Can I register the vehicle in my name but at the address of a friend or colleague?Once the vehicle is initially registered, do you need to re-register if you subsequently change address?If Insurance is hard to arrange in my name, can I have a US friend insure it but include me on the policy? Is there any down-side to doing that?Is it possible to apply for a driving license as a non-resident in ANY state of the US?So if there is anyone out there who has experience of Expats like us trying to join the great RV community then please help!!!Kind regardsMagorHi MagorWe are Australians who are doing what you plan to do so let me just start by saying it is not as difficult as you may think.Yes you need a permanent residential address in order to be able to license and insure vehicles however an easy way to do this is through a group called Escapees in Texas. They can provide an address, mail forwarding service and access through their membership to banking facilities.You do not need to purchase your vehicles in Texas however if you are registering them there then you will need to pay taxes in Texas. We bought our F250 in North Carolina and the 5er in Indiana.I do not believe there is no need to obtain an international drivers' license. We have driven around for over 2 years on our Australian licenses and when we have been required to present them to law enforcement officers they have never been queried. I think there is some sort of reciprocal agreement between some countries - you may want to check it out between UK and US but I would suspect it is the same as for us.Once the vehicle is registered unless you change address to another state I don't think it would need to be re-registered although US citizens would probably be able to answer that more accurately.Insurance is not hard to arrange in your name however be prepared that it is expensive. Without a US driving record we foreigners do have to pay a heftier rate. We insure our vehicles with National Interstate through Explorer RV. We did have cause to make a claim and couldn't speak highly enough of the assistance and response we received from them under extremely difficult circumstances. (We were leaving for Australia the next day)I do not know the situation with other states however I do know that you can obtain a Texas driver's license as a foreigner however we have never felt the need.I am very happy to help with other questions so please PM me if you would prefer.CheersPaula

Sounds like Paula has first hand knowledge of the process. Another avenue to check would be using a LLC, Limited Liability Corp. I cannot advise on how this works but I'm sure there are others here that can help.

Couple from UK buying their first RV! | Good Sam Community

35 Replies

Veebyes
Explorer II
Aug 08, 2013
The drivers license issue varies state by state. Not having a US street address or SSN does present a few problems. Nothing that there is not a work through for. Insurance will likely cost abit more driving on a foreign DL. Is it worth jumping through the hoops to get a US state DL? Don't know. That is up to the individual to determine.

My home license has what we call an intermediate truck, an ambulance & motorcycle endorsements. Good enough for my insurance company. Good enough for the state trooper too the only time it had to be shown for the blow over we had in WY.
havasu
Explorer
Aug 08, 2013
OK, I might have some more bad news for you :(

I did a little research and it seems that DMVs are now insisting that you have to have a Social Security Number which you won't be able to get with a B1

I just checked with our friends who chose to get DLs in Florida as it had the laxest requirements for issuing a DL and it appears as though you might still be able to get one

FL Driving License - non-immigrant

As a Non Immigrant you must provide one original or certified copy of the following Identification documents:

Employment authorization card issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security (Form I688B or I-766); OR
Proof of nonimmigrant classification provided by United States Department of Homeland Security (Form I-94, not expired, with required supporting attachment(s).
havasu
Explorer
Aug 08, 2013
If you use your UK license then you will be restricted to vehicles that your UK license allows - if you have just a regular car license then that's 7500KG which is 16,500# - you are not allowed to drive a 5th wheel because in the UK they are classed as an 'articulated vehicle' which requires an HGV (and the reason there are almost no 5th wheels in the UK.)

The best bet is to get a US license when you get here - you can get one from DMV for the 6 months that your I-94 is valid for. You will have to do a short written test and a drive test - very simple and you won't have a problem - just make sure you read the driver handbook and understand the differences between the UK and US rules of the road - some subtle differences.

When you come back for the second time, just take the expired license and new I94 to DMV and get your renewal. Oh, make sure you have an address (mailbox) in the state you get your license issued from. No re-test is needed.

The only other choice would be a travel trailer - but again check your UK license for your max tow weight if there is one.

I can PM you the email address of some friends of ours who did exactly what you are doing if you want first hand info.

PS Of course these are the rules - I am sure not everyone follows them.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Aug 07, 2013
what does your driver's license say on it about weight. ours in some states give it as a class "C" or whatever and up to 26,000 lbs. does your state some limitation on it? if not I doubt that the county mountie in podunk idaho will know the limits of all foreign drivers.
bumpy
Magor
Explorer
Aug 07, 2013
This is not good news! Does that mean I can't drive a Class A over 16,000lb? If we go for a fifth wheeler, is there a similar restriction?
Thanks
Magor
havasu
Explorer
Aug 07, 2013
frankdamp wrote:
Since you'll be using your UK license, which I'd overlooked, I don't think you'll need to worry about that "over 26,000 pounds" endorsement. Maybe someone on this forum from a state that has the requirement could verify.

NO!!!

Their UK licence does not allow any vehicle over 7500kg (16,500#) so they will need to get a US license to be able to drive a Class A - might get away with a Class B or C on their licence - unless they have an HGV licence of course.
frankdamp
Explorer
Aug 07, 2013
Since you'll be using your UK license, which I'd overlooked, I don't think you'll need to worry about that "over 26,000 pounds" endorsement. Maybe someone on this forum from a state that has the requirement could verify.
bsinmich
Explorer
Aug 07, 2013
Not all states have any requirement for special lecense over 26,000#. Michigan and many others only have that requirement for commercial vehicles and you are getting a personal RV.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
Magor wrote:
Hi All
Thanks again for the great info. The need for a special license for vehicles over 26000lb is a bit of a worry. What is involved in getting that? Does it expire or is it a one off thing that I can take a test for during my B1 visa stay and then reuse on subsequent visits.

Regards
magor

generally they require a renewal after a certain number of years, 4 or 5 maybe? might have to retake the driving part.
bumpy
Magor
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
Hi All
Thanks again for the great info. The need for a special license for vehicles over 26000lb is a bit of a worry. What is involved in getting that? Does it expire or is it a one off thing that I can take a test for during my B1 visa stay and then reuse on subsequent visits.

Regards
magor