State that allows foreigners/tourists to register cars?

[oneOf8billion]

Hi,

I am in process of shipping my Land Cruiser to the US for having it there for future trips. The car will be imported and registered on the name of a friend of mine in the US. I wonder if there is any US state that would allow foreginers with a tourist visa to register a car on their name?

I know that tourists can bring their own car and have in the US for 1 year maximu, but one 1 year is not enough for me...

Thanks

 

[AdamFire]

Have you considered registering the vehicle under a business name? Here in Oregon its only $100 to create an LLC.

-Adam

 

[e9999]

^ it's about the same cost in California to start an LLC, not bad. BUT, they then nail you for $800 minimum / year tax after that, even with no income from the LLC, from what I understand. (But maybe Oregon has not yet been fully Californicated yet?)

And, yes, there are states that will readily issue a registration and license plate to people actually living outside of that state, although it may be needed to have a local address somehow, not sure., but maybe a PO box is good enough for that. And you have to send in the current registration paperwork. And they will likely ask for some sort of identification though, probably US, I imagine. Lots of info by RVers living in Mexico on that topic, I think.

As to the one year max you (OP) mentioned, can you not pop in for a day in Canada or Mexico to restart the clock? That was/is a common practice with some visas I understand.

 

[oneOf8billion]

^ it's about the same cost in California to start an LLC, not bad. BUT, they then nail you for $800 minimum / year tax after that, even with no income from the LLC, from what I understand. (But maybe Oregon has not yet been fully Californicated yet?)

And, yes, there are states that will readily issue a registration and license plate to people actually living outside of that state, although it may be needed to have a local address somehow, not sure., but maybe a PO box is good enough for that. And you have to send in the current registration paperwork. And they will likely ask for some sort of identification though, probably US, I imagine. Lots of info by RVers living in Mexico on that topic, I think.

As to the one year max you (OP) mentioned, can you not pop in for a day in Canada or Mexico to restart the clock? That was/is a common practice with some visas I understand.

Thanks for the answers.

I checked this before and the car has to leave Canada, US and Mexico economic zone to reset the clock.

Question is can I get insurance and registration without social security number and US driving license. For the US address I can the one of my friend. I have to check the with insurances directly I think. The online forms from the US insurance companies ask me for information I don't have.

So which states allow people from other states to register?

 

[oneOf8billion]

If founding a business needs less details than direct registration on my name then this is a valid options. I will check.

 

[jayp2]

I believe Maine permits registration for non residents

 

[PAToyota]

The other question is what is the vehicle? You're not going to be able to register a non-US spec vehicle newer than 25 years old.

 

[oneOf8billion]

The other question is what is the vehicle? You're not going to be able to register a non-US spec vehicle newer than 25 years old.

Absolutely. It is a 1998 GCC specv Land Cruiser 100

 

[oneOf8billion]

Initial registration is not the problem. It is imported and registred on the name of a friend in the USA and I will be able to drive it. This export/import is already in progress.

I am just looking for a possible way to get rid of the hassles for my buddy that it has to be registred on him and I drive it.

 

[e9999]

Well, if it is already all arranged to be imported and registered to him, it seems to me that trying to register it in your name subsequently is going to be a big hassle whereas keeping it registered in his name won't be much of a hassle for him (after the big initial one that is). He just needs to renew the registration once a year (10 mins online) and renew the insurance -making sure you are listed as a driver on it- (same time online). Basically, all his hassle is initially, not really after that. Nothing that a nice dinner would not help forget. And maybe it is also possible for you to buy insurance in your name on a car registered to him, I don't know for sure, but would think so.

 

[mudgudgeon]

Montana LLC?

 

[PAToyota]

As e9999 says, going through the importing and initial registration is the lion's share of the work. From there it is just a matter of renewing it and trying to transfer things to another state neither of you live in and get insurance is likely more of a hassle than just keeping it registered with your friend in their home state.

 

[oneOf8billion]

Ok thanks guys for all the answers.