US resident buying/registering UK vehicle

Hi,

You'll need to search out specialist insurance brokers and providers and have them look for specific policies and/or underwriters. It is possible to have insurance here in the UK if you are not a resident here. 'Generally' speaking, you'll find it's the very/super wealthy who'll do this kind of thing, I've met a few people who bring their cars in from the USA and Dubai/Bahrain for a few months of the year and then take them back. Substitute of course that you'd be wanting to register and keep a UK spec vehicle here.

A quick search shows;

https://www.keithmichaels.co.uk/specialist-car-insurance/expat-car-insurance/living-abroad-with-a-uk-car/

https://www.moneymaxim.co.uk/short-term-car-insurance-uk-overseas-residents

https://www.temporarycarinsurance.ws/driving-guide-for-foreign-visitors.html

When you aren't in the country, then as it's most likely you'll get a temporary insurance policy, I'm 'speculating' that you'd need to store the car off road, declare it SORN with the DVLA so that you won't have to keep paying the VED fee/get a refund for the months it's valid for but you don't use due to going back to the US and the car being SORN (statutory off road notice)

Depending on how deep your pockets are, what kind of car you want, then that'll affect how much you'll pay whilst you're not in the UK. If you do have deep pockets, then do what those guys I mention above do! if your pockets aren't so deep, then I'd also suggest renting each time you visit. The guys above would bring their Ferrari's Lamborghini's and other exotica over and the relative high cost of insurance would be like loose change in their pockets.

I'm within the Automotive sector now for manufacturing and electronics, so have a pretty extensive network amongst all sorts of sub sectors. There's one specific resource to get more information I know of, but by the very nature of your question..  the guys I want to talk to aren't in the UK right now!!!


Disclaimer - I'm also assuming that as a non resident, DVLA will allow you to register a car in your name even if you don't have a UK address. Speak to the DVLA and the insurance specialists above to find out more. I 'suspect' that it might be that these temporary policies will be for a car you bring in temporarily. It 'might' turn out to be it's insurance you can get where your friend is down as the 'Registered Keepr' but you are the 'owner'.

http://www.dvla-contact-number.co.uk/the-differences-between-the-registered-keeper-and-owner-of-a-vehicle/

Plenty of research for you to do! Please report back with how it pans out as it'll be useful to other's thinking of doing the same.

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Awesome info. Thanks. Lots to research. No my pockets are not deep and, sadly, there are no Ferrari’s in my future.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, I'm taking my theory test next week. If I pass I'll check it out and see what it says. I have been here for a few years so it may not tell me the same things... we'll have to see!

I do wonder if maybe DVLA has similar issues of people not knowing everything like the UKVI helpline?

Thanks. I tried contacting DVLA through their website but rather than being able to send a general request, that is ask my question, their system kept breaking down your reason for contacting them by multiple menus of set topics or requirements (like a Reg number) that it became impossible.

Clearly I’m not going to buy a car only to then learn I can’t register or insure it. Very interested to find out what they tell you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Found someone for you to call.

https://www.keithmichaels.co.uk/specialist-car-insurance/expat-car-insurance/living-abroad-with-a-uk-car/

Found someone for you to call.

https://www.keithmichaels.co.uk/specialist-car-insurance/expat-car-insurance/living-abroad-with-a-uk-car/

Jason Robery... macman, please let us know if the name is appropriate. 

Jason Robery... macman, please let us know if the name is appropriate. 

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!

I will warn that they will likely want a number plate to give a quote.  Just pick something appropriate at cargiant.co.uk

The response from DVLA is below and says that the 185 residency requirement is for all countries.

Dear Mr Xxxxxxx

 

Thank you for your email dated 7 February.

 

I can confirm that they must have lived here for at least 185 days in the last 12 months before the day they take their test. This is regardless of which country they have moved from.

 

You can view that here.
https://www.gov.uk/book-driving-test
 

The examiner will also make them sign a declaration before the test commences to confirm this.

 

How did we do? Please take a few moments to complete our customer satisfaction survey by clicking here.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Marie Hawkins | Customer Support Representative

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Phone: 0300 200 1122

 



 

Find out more about government services at www.gov.uk/dvsa

 

Follow us: facebook.com/dvsagovuk | youtube.com/dvsagovuk | twitter.com/dvsa_helpme

 

 

From: xxxxxx
Sent: 07 February 2018 14:03
To: CSU <CustomerServices@dvsa.gov.uk>
Subject: Residency requirements when arriving from the USA to get a driving licence

Any change could also be something to do with parts of the Immigration Acts 2014 and 2016. It's something like: under the 2014 Act a UK driving licence is revoked if they do not have lawful status; under the 2016 Act  it's a criminal offence to drive in the UK if you do not have lawful status and is up to 12 months in jail.

Those two Acts were brought in to stop the abuse and also to end the making it so easy for illegals to live in the UK. Perhaps the wait to take a driving test, is to stop those who visit or who are on a short term visa, but who planned to overstay? Illegals often get jobs as drivers. Those lawfully in the UK can use their own country's driving licence for up to 12 months.

This subject reminded me of the "How do I get a bank account" subject and someone recommended for that to try and find a bank that had branches internationally so that you can sign up in the US and then just transfer your account to the UK when you move there.

So I quickly Googled "International Car Insurance" and came across this company Clements Worldwide. I dont know anything about them but they say they have "International Car Insurance for Expats" and thought it might be worth wild for you to investigate:

Here is the Auto Section: https://www.clements.com/intl-car

And here is the UK section: https://www.clements.com/portals/europe/motor/uk-motor

I dont know that it would be cheaper but, possibly an option.