Pathways International

BUYING A CAR STEP BY STEP

The List of things you MUST have to drive YOUR car in the USA

Buying a car.

    A) Get NON-Driver Car Insurance

    B) What you need to get a USA Drivers License ?

         1. Proof of Residency

- Mail with your name and address on it

2. Proof of Insurance

- A letter from your insurance company

3. Proof of Age and Identity

- Your Passport

4. Social Security Card

5. Must pass a written and verbal test

6. Must Pay around $50

    C) Buy the Car

Go to a notary and have the owner sign the Car Title over to you and be notarized

- Notaries are in banks like Wachovia

    D) Get Drivers Car Insurance take these things to your insurance company

1. Car Title

2. Drivers license

3. Bring around $500

    E) Get Car Inspection if it has not been done

Inspections include:  brakes, lights, horns, steering mechanism, windshied wipers,  turn signals, tires, rear-view mirrors, exhaust system, and window tint.  If your car fails the inspection, costly repairs may be necessary. 

    F) Go to DMV to get Tags and Plates For Car and Bring…

1. Car Title

2. Proof of insurance

3. NC Drivers License

4. Must pay around $200

­

Tips for purchasing a car:

Do not buy the car out of state. Buying a car locally gives you some leverage in case of mechanical problems.  Also other states (e.g., Virginia) have different licensing and registration procedures, which could make your North Carolina process more complicated and expensive.

Purchase the car  on the condition that it passes a mechanical inspection.  Used cars in the $1,000-$1,500 price range will often have serious mechanical problems that may require repairs costing much more than the automobile's original price.

Make sure that the car will pass the North Carolina safety inspection before completing the purchase.