Job Offer in California

Job Offer in California

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Discussion

Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

166 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
So I have been offered a 2 year contract in the US from the UK.

Exporting my TVR to the US is a non starter so I am interested in anyone that can offer advice about buying a motorcycle in the US.

I will be based in Sacremento, so any advice on where to buy, insurance etc would be very helpful!

Thanks in advance!

Nosh

Roo

11,503 posts

206 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
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Look up @timarrowsmith on twitter. He may be able to help.

5ohmustang

2,755 posts

114 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
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What kind of advice are you looking for?

Justices

3,681 posts

163 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
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You can drive/ride on a U.K license but are treated as a new driver (forever) in regards to insurance premiums. Get yourself a California license if you are staying there beyond a year for cheaper insurance. Buying and insuring a bike is very easy.

Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

166 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
Justices said:
You can drive/ride on a U.K license but are treated as a new driver (forever) in regards to insurance premiums. Get yourself a California license if you are staying there beyond a year for cheaper insurance. Buying and insuring a bike is very easy.
Cheers

Do you have to do a test?



Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
Nosh said:
Justices said:
You can drive/ride on a U.K license but are treated as a new driver (forever) in regards to insurance premiums. Get yourself a California license if you are staying there beyond a year for cheaper insurance. Buying and insuring a bike is very easy.
Cheers

Do you have to do a test?
I'm not sure that the advice you have been given here is accurate. If you will be in the state for 2 years (presumably on an E1, E2(e), L1 or H1-B visa), you are assumed to be a 'resident'. See below from CA DMV

If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid.

If you become a California resident, you must get a California driver license within 10 days. Residency is established by voting in a California election, paying resident tuition, filing for a homeowner's property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents.

Yes you will have to take a m/cycle test, which a semi-trained chimpanzee could pass without trying.

Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

166 months

Wednesday 25th November 2015
quotequote all
Matt Harper said:
I'm not sure that the advice you have been given here is accurate. If you will be in the state for 2 years (presumably on an E1, E2(e), L1 or H1-B visa), you are assumed to be a 'resident'. See below from CA DMV

If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid.

If you become a California resident, you must get a California driver license within 10 days. Residency is established by voting in a California election, paying resident tuition, filing for a homeowner's property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents.

Yes you will have to take a m/cycle test, which a semi-trained chimpanzee could pass without trying.
Thanks Matt - I already have a full motorcycle licence.

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Wednesday 25th November 2015
quotequote all
Nosh said:
Thanks Matt - I already have a full motorcycle licence.
Would that be a US m/c license? If it's a UK license and if you are deemed to be CA resident (and you will be if you are using a work visa), you will have to take a CA DMV motorcycle test.
Your UK license has no validity beyond 10 days - if you are classed as resident.

As an aside, I stopped riding my motorcycle pretty soon after moving here (FL). It's just too bloody dangerous with all the brain-dead lunatics on the road here.
It got to the point where I became sick of having to take radical evasive action to avoid being mown-down by blue-haired old ladies in 20 foot long ghetto sleds.

Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

166 months

Thursday 26th November 2015
quotequote all
Matt Harper said:
Would that be a US m/c license? If it's a UK license and if you are deemed to be CA resident (and you will be if you are using a work visa), you will have to take a CA DMV motorcycle test.
Your UK license has no validity beyond 10 days - if you are classed as resident.

As an aside, I stopped riding my motorcycle pretty soon after moving here (FL). It's just too bloody dangerous with all the brain-dead lunatics on the road here.
It got to the point where I became sick of having to take radical evasive action to avoid being mown-down by blue-haired old ladies in 20 foot long ghetto sleds.
Cheers

More reading up me thinks - I don't deploy till January (if the offer is acceptable of course) so will continue to trawl through.

Just getting my head around the US tax system - now there is a headache! Thank god for accountants!!!!

Nosh

Nobbles

585 posts

259 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
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I am sure it still exists but you can have a one year temporary importation for your car. Basically you ship your car out on a 'passport' it is a non-resident and needs to be shipped back one year later (or longer depending on how friendly the customs guys are). Lots of Germans and Dutch ship their motor homes over and tour for one year and ship them back. I did it in 2002 with my Elise, my contract was extended and I called the customs and they gave me another year.

Extract from us customs:
Nonresidents may import a vehicle duty-free for personal use up to (1) one year if the vehicle is imported in conjunction with the owner's arrival. Vehicles imported under this provision that do not conform to U.S. safety and emission standards must be exported within one year and may not be sold in the U.S. There is no exemption or extension of the export requirements.

Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

166 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
Nobbles said:
Extract from us customs:
Nonresidents may import a vehicle duty-free for personal use up to (1) one year if the vehicle is imported in conjunction with the owner's arrival. Vehicles imported under this provision that do not conform to U.S. safety and emission standards must be exported within one year and may not be sold in the U.S. There is no exemption or extension of the export requirements.
So what happens if the car follows in in a few months?

In conjunction with owners arrival....Mmmmmmm

Nosh

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
Nosh said:
So what happens if the car follows in in a few months?

In conjunction with owners arrival....Mmmmmmm

Nosh
I did it (albeit with a Euro-spec Corvette) back in 2002 - I'd arrived on an L1-A in Oct 2001. Shipping to FL was reasonably cheap - it would be a huge amount more to Northern CA.
I ran mine for a year on it's UK plates and insured it on a fleet policy via my company. After 12 months permanently imported it - again, easily done because of it's US origin.
I think you risk running into two potential problems. Firstly, don't rely on an extension re the temporary import - despite what's stated above, I've never heard of that and suspect it is a VERY uncommon concession - or a mistake by the DMV concerned.
Secondly, getting insurance from a mainstream company will be difficult as they will have no record of the vehicle's VIN. If it's not in the US system (and UK manufactured cars are not) and is not at least 25 years old, coverage is going to be a hassle for you.

Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

166 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
Matt Harper said:
I did it (albeit with a Euro-spec Corvette) back in 2002 - I'd arrived on an L1-A in Oct 2001. Shipping to FL was reasonably cheap - it would be a huge amount more to Northern CA.
I ran mine for a year on it's UK plates and insured it on a fleet policy via my company. After 12 months permanently imported it - again, easily done because of it's US origin.
I think you risk running into two potential problems. Firstly, don't rely on an extension re the temporary import - despite what's stated above, I've never heard of that and suspect it is a VERY uncommon concession - or a mistake by the DMV concerned.
Secondly, getting insurance from a mainstream company will be difficult as they will have no record of the vehicle's VIN. If it's not in the US system (and UK manufactured cars are not) and is not at least 25 years old, coverage is going to be a hassle for you.
OK, Matt, thanks.

Been doing some digging - export will cost £1065 if I did it today from Southampton to California (Hueneme Port) and about $400 for the US agent end.

I will be unable to put spares and stuff in the boot, which is a shame, because I will probably need them! Its another £300 to ship a container with the car with spares / tools in it....

I will only do this for a year - so I don't think I will have a problem in trying to keep it out there - cos I won't try it.

Insurance will be tricky - I know that - but hopefully getting some advice / help state side would be useful.

It all comes down to hassle and cost - and I have to weigh up exporting rather than buying a car when I get out there, so a lot to consider. Also, driving my TVR in the states is something I would really look forward to if I am being honest.

Thanks for the advice!
Nosh



Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
Nosh said:
Been doing some digging - export will cost £1065 if I did it today from Southampton to California (Hueneme Port) and about $400 for the US agent end.
Is that with the car in a 20' sea container? If so, that's dirt cheap. Bite their arm off!

Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

166 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
Matt Harper said:
Is that with the car in a 20' sea container? If so, that's dirt cheap. Bite their arm off!
Roll on / Roll off

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
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I wonder how much it'll cost to repatriate it when you're done here?

Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

166 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
quotequote all
Matt Harper said:
I wonder how much it'll cost to repatriate it when you're done here?
Haven't checked yet - but it must be cheaper than buying a car over there surely???


Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
quotequote all
Nosh said:
Matt Harper said:
I wonder how much it'll cost to repatriate it when you're done here?
Haven't checked yet - but it must be cheaper than buying a car over there surely???
I would think so too - unless you go for something quirky - or buy very well.

I have a 1992 Ford F150 pick-up with a 302 and 4x4 that I paid $2750 for about 18 months ago. Latest offer from someone who saw it in my drive and knocked on the door was $5000. So it can be done, I suppose.

I just wondered if the cost of getting it back to the UK is the same as getting it here. The cynical me thinks the UK govt will try to bilk you somewhere along the line...
Is your car pretty reliable? Does it run cool (Gets quite toasty where you're headed in the summer)? I'm guessing you'll have to ship service parts etc.

Might be more hassle and expense that nit's worth. What visa are you using, by the way?

Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

166 months

Friday 4th December 2015
quotequote all
Matt Harper said:
Is your car pretty reliable? Does it run cool (Gets quite toasty where you're headed in the summer)? I'm guessing you'll have to ship service parts etc.

Might be more hassle and expense that nit's worth. What visa are you using, by the way?
Matt

Reliable? I believe so - I had an earthing issue with the fuel pump relay - but now sorted. Running a smidge lumpy but I will ensure that is sorted before I send it over.

I have recently refurbed all of the suspension, wishbones etc....

Post here >>>>>>>

It will be a company visa I think - and I will be termed as a 'resident' in the US - the official classification will be a "Legal Alien Allowed To Work".

Need to understand insurance costs as well...that's something else that needs to be looked into......

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Friday 4th December 2015
quotequote all
Nosh said:
Matt

Reliable? I believe so - I had an earthing issue with the fuel pump relay - but now sorted. Running a smidge lumpy but I will ensure that is sorted before I send it over.

I have recently refurbed all of the suspension, wishbones etc....

Post here >>>>>>>

It will be a company visa I think - and I will be termed as a 'resident' in the US - the official classification will be a "Legal Alien Allowed To Work".

Need to understand insurance costs as well...that's something else that needs to be looked into......
The type of visa that is being petitioned is kind of important to know, because some are a LOT more restrictive than others. 'Legal Alien Allowed To Work' is a condition within an application for a SSN, rather than a visa status. If you are moving over here next month, you would do yourself a favor find out exactly which visa is being petitioned on your behalf.

Regarding auto insurance - it's very similar to UK in terms of it's scope - but there are some big differences in how it is calculated and applied.
To insure a vehicle via a mainstream supplier, you will need the VIN which they match with the insurers database. Coverage is generally 50-100% more expensive than in UK. There is no such thing as NCD and new policies (no US driving history) cost extra. Also your US credit rating has a big influence on your premium - no US credit history will hurt too.
You can mitigate some of this by keeping the vehicle in a less crime-ridden zip code, by garaging it and by restricting the annual mileage.
In short, steel yourself for some sticker-shock for at least the initial 12 months.