Buying a Vehicle
- Getting a Driver’s License
- If you are legally residing in the United States, you can go to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) and apply for a license
- If you are undocumented, sixteen states allow you to obtain a driver’s license
- When you apply, you will need
- Proof of Identity: Such as a passport or visa. Must show identification with your name and date of birth
- Proof of Residency: Most DMVs will require at least two documents to prove your residency. You may bring in documents such as tax returns, utility bills, and a lease agreement. It must feature both your name and your address
- Once approved, you will have to pass two tests
- A written test on car safety and the rules of the road
- A driving test
- Acquiring Loans
- Auto financing is an option if you do not have the cash available to buy a car
- Auto dealership financing is an option, but you will need a strong credit history and a Social Security number
- Immigrant-friendly providers that bypass certain fees
- Stilt: Provides loans to immigrants and to those underserved. They offer up to $35,000 in funding without requiring a cosigner or even a social security number (SSN)
- International Auto Source (IAS): IAS helps you buy, rent, or lease cars without credit history or SSN. Low financing rates are accompanied by access to low-cost insurance coverage
- Getting a Car
- Ask yourself three questions while buying a car to make sure you find the model and type of car that will best fit your needs and lifestyle
- How many people will need this car? Will my spouse, my family, or only myself, use this car?
- What is the primary use of the car? Are you using it to get to and from work, or for long-distance travel?
- How much money do I want to spend on purchasing a car?
- Where to buy the car
- Dealerships: Provide the best in-person experience to buy used and new cars
- TrueCar/CarMax: Offer access to thousands of new and used cars for sale. You can filter searches to tailor the make, model, and type, as well as set search settings for the distance of the vehicle’s location
- Facebook Marketplace: These will provide the most affordable options to find great deals close to home
- Ask yourself three questions while buying a car to make sure you find the model and type of car that will best fit your needs and lifestyle
- Getting Insurance and Registering your Vehicle
- It is a requirement in the United States to have auto insurance
- Each state has its own insurance requirements for the minimum coverage to bodily injury liability per person and per accident. Many states do not have a minimum lower than $10,000 or a maximum over $50,000
- Recent immigrants are regarded as new drivers and are often charged high insurance premiums
- Look around and get multiple quotes before deciding on a policy
- Some companies offer rates as low as $38 a month and some as high as $323 a month
- The safer that you drive and as your credit score improves, your premiums will lower
- If you cannot afford car insurance, some states offer various programs to help manage costs
- Once you get car insurance, you will be able to register your vehicle with your local DMV
- You will be charged a fee that gets you your license plate, registration documents, and required materials for your car