FINALLY COMING, Sold car, on my way: thoughts, info, etc

You can register a car in the VI without a VI driver's license. You will need to purchase auto insurance first. Insurance isn't cheap here and most companies make you pay for a full year up front.

Plan on going to the dept of motor vehicles with the vehicle's sellor to register the car. Dept of MV is more efficent now, but it still can take several hours to get the process taken care of. It is a more involved process that you may be used to in PA.

Jim

Insurance isnt cheap here? I think its probably the cheapest thing around here! $250 per year! That is cheap 😉
Yeah, no need for a VI driver licence for the first 90 days you are here...some people never bother, I know people that have been here for 20 years, never got a VI driver license...

For your first 2 nights, talk to Ronnie from Villafairview, He also own Crystal Palace, nice affordable B&B 😉
2 options right there for you.
Good luck and welcome the the island!
Inge

philgazi:

Jim Dandy gave you erroneous advice. You do not have to go to DMV with the seller of the vehicle in tow. As long as the registration is signed over to you and duly notarized, you have the vehicle title in your possession and a bill of sale (not always necessary but you would want that anyway for your own basic protection and it's handy to have just in case..) along with proof of insurance, then you'll be fine going through the process and your stateside license will serve you for a short time.

I do NOT recommend any newbie NOT getting a VI driver's license. Methinks Ingetje is a newbie quoting hearsay but with no real knowledge.

You're leaving it rather late as far as making plans and contingencies are concerned but I wish you the very best of luck. Cheers!

Phil,

Congratulations and good luck! You are going to love it! You'll find out quickly that sometimes things are learned once you get to the island. Everything seemed to fall into place for my roommate and I, so I hope the same for you. Good luck!!!!!! Glad you finally are making it!

Pink

Thanks all for the info, just as I read, but figured I would double check.

I dont see how it is rather late "making plans and contingencies"
Planned this for almost a year
have the money to do it
job lined up
list of apartments and cars to look at
rental car reserved
I am keeping the same insurance co. Changing it to the VI is a lot cheaper then what I am paying around this area
With 10 places or so under $100 a night, there is no real need to reserve a room months before.

anyway, thanks to this site and everyone for all the posted info

"I am keeping the same insurance company" Better check out whether they are licensed to do business in the VI. If they aren't, my understanding is that the DMV will not accept it as valid insurance.

I think what was meant by being late is securing a place to stay when you get here.

I didn't mean to imply that it is required. But by going with the seller you will be sure that they have provided all the required documentation, that the documentation has been notarized in all the correct places by all people required to sign and more importantly that the title that the owner is giving you is the correct title and free of liens. This is important with the VI government's recent get tough policy on abandoned vehicles. As a newbie in a hurry you would not be aware of all these intricacies and pitfalls.

As for insurance I pay twice as much for full coverage with adequate liability coverage, not just the minimum the law requires as I did in Illinois.

Jim

I have USAA and its all good in the USVI
I wont need full coverage, giving up on nice things for awhile, no real need down there. Sold my Saab and that is paying for my move and apartment, spending money and a cheaper $2500 or so car.

In slow season i didnt see much reason to book in advance, everywhere i called to- to book for tomorrow, had room.
Tomorrow - galleon house it is. at least for 2 nights.

Thanks to all.....