Cars!

So I'm driving down to Florida from Canada and I'm confused about what is needed to drive down there for a year.

I read this thread: http://www.wdwip.com/smf/index.php?topic=7646.0 which merely confused me further. I asked Kristen and she told me Florida plates and US insurance is needed, though the people on the thread said it wasn't necessary for people only staying a year!

Anyone know how this works???

 

hmmm...I had thought that because you were on an 'exchange prorgam' you don't technically need to have FL plates/insurance. You would have to keep your current plates and insurance from Canada though...again not 100% clear on this as I most likely will be flying not driving now...

 

Did a former cast member tell you this or did you read about it from the Florida DMV?

 

In order to get a parking pass for housing, you have to have florida Insurance, you don't have to change your plates but the easiest thing to do is surrender your canadian license and get a Florida one.

 

I have been offered a start date of Feb. 1, 2011 and was planning on driving my car down. Haven't done the homework yet but if you find out anything and what to share that would be great... and I'll do the same!

 

Okay so here is the information about bringing your car down to Florida. I recenctly have done this and this is all that I have learned from my experiance.

If you want to drive to Florida and want to park in the housing complex you must at least get a Florida Driver's License as well as Florida insurance. It is not mandatory that you change your plates to Florida plates. Now just to for warn you that if you get into an accident or get pulled over or have anything to do with the police really and they find that you are driving a car with Canadian Plates and have a Florida Drivers License that is against the law and you could get a big fine or I was told even jail time.

I have changed everything over (plates, insurance and license). Together I spent just over $1000. The most expensive was the insurance. The plates were just over $400. I just feel as though now I don't have to worry in case I do get pulled over and what not.

 

Thanks so much for replying! What do I need to get the driver's license? I thought we just had to have the insurance... and where did you go for insurance? Any company you'd recommend for a low rate. I wouldn't mind getting the Florida plates, but I would need to wait a couple weeks to afford it. Insurance is all that's needed to obtain a parking permit right?

 

In order to get the permit you need a FL license and insurance. In order to get the license all you need to do is surrender your Canadian one and they will send one to you. You will obviously have to get a new Canadian one when you get back home. As for insurance I am with State Farm since they are both in Canada and the US. I am paying just over $700 for decent coverage.

See ya soon!

 

Hey sorry one more Q, You're with State Farm for $700 a year? Or you pay $700 a month!?

 

i think its 700 every 6 months

 

Ohh okay gotcha! thankss.

Also, how are you liking it down there, one month in?? Tell me about your experience thus far!

 

It is awesome! I am having a great time down here. I just had a day off today and spent some of it at Hollywood Studios. The people are awesome and are some of my best friends now. You are going to have an amazing time down here!

 

I am really looking forward to this! Not many days left now

I am also looking at buying a car, but i am 19 years old...
Do Disney (or Florida / insurance companies) have any restriction if you are under a certain age?

 

I don't think so. The driving age down here is 16 I think. The only thing is that your insurance will be higher.

 

Damn! Maybe the insurance will be the reason for me not having a car... If it is too costly, I won't afford it :-[

 

Perhaps, ShoX, if you can make a plan with some people upthere you can all pay for the insurance? But you'd be forced to share the car or be their driver... but dunno, it's a way to save money... or use one of your parents credit cards! XD

HAve a MAgical Day!

 

haha, well, with experience from Norway... Sharing a car = doomed to quarrels and fights :-X

Have a good day you too

 

Are your days off like one at a time or do you get two consecutive days off sometimes?

 

This week was kinda crazy. I changed some of my shifts around to help fellow cast members who had family in town and what not but I was lucky to get Saturday and Sunday as my consecutive days off.

 

I think Disney says that they give you two consecutive days off, but that you will have to be prepared that you may not have any days off some weeks