Foreign RVers in the US & Canada

I don,t see where you went to the DMV and asked the people who should help you figure this out? or I missed it.

Naio wrote:
I would try calling an RV rental place, like Cruise America. I see a lot of Europeans in their rigs. I know you don't plan on renting from them, but if you get a nice person they might just be willing to advise you on how things work.

Brilliant idea, thank you. Yes, they probably know a lot about foreign licenses and what foreigners can and can't do here.

navegator wrote:
If you have a current UK drivers license and the vehicles are current in the UK, you have nothing to worry, you can drive all over the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico, there is a treaty that refers to reciprocity with other countries, Canadians and Mexicans can and do dive foreign registered vehicles in the States.

The so called international drivers license is not a real permit, it is a translation of a document, you still need the real drivers license issued by a government entity.

navegator

I bought the truck and trailer here in the US :(

I would try calling an RV rental place, like Cruise America. I see a lot of Europeans in their rigs. I know you don't plan on renting from them, but if you get a nice person they might just be willing to advise you on how things work.

Check (or call Telephone Toll Free: 888-683-4636 or 888-MVD-INFO) New Mexico Motor Vehicle Dept. (NM DMV), also South Dakota MVD (Phone: (605) 773.3541 Email: motorv@state.sd.us SD MVD).

States are not all the same. NM has been giving driver's licenses to illegals, some have been trying to stop it, not sure if they have. Some other states have as well, can't remember which. I assume they were getting vehicles as well. Illegals Getting Driver's Licenses But this may not work for you, not working here, etc.

Ask the MVDs about not getting a DL, but getting Registered in their state with a UK DL. I know Canadian's buy vehicles, land & homes in the states.

But you will have already registered your truck and camper Chopper - that's the issue. My sister doesn't want me to put them in her name (debt issues!) and I can't register them in my own name. Insurance wasn't a problem, they were happy to take my money!

Chopper Hopper wrote:
What I would suggest then to simplify. Have your family member register in their name and you provide the insurance to cover vehicles.

I am not sure this will be acceptable to the relative. If there is an accident, and the vehicle is in her name, she can be sued and it will affect all of her insurance companies, not only the one that has the coverage on the truck and TT.

If you have a current UK drivers license and the vehicles are current in the UK, you have nothing to worry, you can drive all over the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico, there is a treaty that refers to reciprocity with other countries, Canadians and Mexicans can and do dive foreign registered vehicles in the States.

The so called international drivers license is not a real permit, it is a translation of a document, you still need the real drivers license issued by a government entity.

navegator

What I would suggest then to simplify. Have your family member register in their name and you provide the insurance to cover vehicles.

Thanks everyone - that was quick!

Just a few clarifications that I should have added. I had no problem getting insurance - high cost but they accepted me as a foreign driver without question. The big problem is registering the truck and TT, getting the tag. I can't do that without local ID.

I'm on a tourist visa though, not working here. That seems to be the problem. If I was working I would be a resident and I could get a state ID at least and probably a driving license.

As a tourist, none of those options are open to me. But other RVers have done it and I'd love to know how.

Feeling desperate as we're having such a lovely time but this is hanging over us and it looks like we may have to sell the truck and TT if we can't find any way of registering them.

I did wonder if Canada might be any easier as it's a Commonwealth country, like where we're from (UK).

Answers to questions/comments:

We purchased for multiple reasons - we are traveling with our dogs, my daughter has a dirt phobia, we are traveling up and through Canada, and we would like the option of bringing the rig back to Europe with us to continue our travels. We had to sell our family home due to divorce and the TT is now our home, another reason we would be very upset to have to sell it if we can't register it.

We have been to two different DMV/DDS offices in person and got different answers from each. Same on the telephone, it depends who you speak to. One guy we spoke to there was an actual driving examiner and he said I could take my test. But when it came to filling in the form I didn't have a social security number and that was the issue.

I don't have an International license - would have to go back to the UK to get that and it would take weeks to come through - as I was told prior to coming that the UK license was accepted in all states. It is, and got me the insurance fine but this is another issue.