buying a car

[swampo]

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone can answer this question?? Do you have to change your UK driving licence to an Australian one before you can purchase a car?

As we will be living in employer provided accommodation for a couple of weeks, then into rented before we buy, we won't have a proper address to give to the DVLA (equivalent) so will this stop us from making a purchase?

Answers on a postcard.... Help!!!

[soggy]

dont think so, if you are permanent resident you have 6 months to get Australian licence, if you are tempary resident you have the lengh of the visa to get Australian licence.

Simon

[Tyke]

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone can answer this question?? Do you have to change your UK driving licence to an Australian one before you can purchase a car?

As we will be living in employer provided accommodation for a couple of weeks, then into rented before we buy, we won't have a proper address to give to the DVLA (equivalent) so will this stop us from making a purchase?

Answers on a postcard.... Help!!!

You don't have to have an Aussie license to buy a car.You do have to have an address though.I guess if you know the address of your rental it might be OK.
A lot of car dealers are fairly used to this situation.One I deal with is fairly good at this sort of stuff and pretty relaxed about it.

You will have to get your Aussie license within 3 months of arrival though.Simple enough to do with a call to an office of motor registration (no test needed).

Good luck
:D

[dglamoore]

One thing to watch when buying a car is when you pay for fully comp insurance you will pay more on a uk licence than an aussie one for some reason :o Our quote would have been $500 more on a uk licence!!

Lisa

[The Monaghans]

Great tip Lisa . Bearing that in mind how soon can you get your aussie licence and where , and also where are the better places to go in order to buy a car . Are car dealers there ok or is there an aussie style 'autotrader' you can check on line . Carrental when we get there is expensive so really dont want to spend on that for too long !! Cheers Rich

[dglamoore]

As soon as you have something with your address on you just take your licence to one of the offices, show id, have a photo taken, pay the fee and your new one comes in the post :)

There are a LOT of car dealers over here and CMI toyota Southside (christies beach) has a very good reputation as I am sure Tyke will back up ;)

This site will give you some ideas on prices etc as a guide too - http://www.drive.com.au/

Lisa

[swampo]

Thanks everyone for such a quick response. Basically getting our vehicle licences will be a priority in the first week or so, then we can buy our wheels - 2 & 4 variety!!! Will look on the suggested link.

[Bex & Nick]

We've been to a couple of car places this weekend and quite a few have said that they'll give us a three year warranty on a used car but its on the condition that the car is serviced with them every 6 months. Cost of an interim service is around $175 - 200. Is this normal?

Nb. a fellow PIA told us about the "red book", which comes in useful:

http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au/vehicle/index.php