GA Driver’s License:

When moving to the State of Georgia, new residents are required to apply for a Georgia Driver’s license

within 30 days. This applies even when you have a Danish License (National or International), you will have

to take a written test and a driving test. The license not only permits you to drive a vehicle, but also works

as an official identification card in many other circumstances. For further information regarding the issue please

study this website or call the local Georgia Department of Driver Services at: (678) 413 8400 or at (678) 413 8500  

Note: You need to bring your US Social Security #, proof of GA Residence (Lease) along with

your ID and immigration papers.  

Purchase a Car:

The supply of cars in Atlanta is high. A good place to start your search is on Peachtree industrial Blvd.

in Atlanta and on Cobb parkway in Marietta, where the many car dealerships carry all vehicle brands.

The competition between the car dealers is usually very high, which enables customers to shop for prices.  

If you wish to buy a used car we suggest you visit this website first. Here you can enter the year, make,

model and mileage of the car and they will give you an estimate of the value.

Leasing a Car:

If you intend to stay in Atlanta or the US for an extended period of time, it is sometimes favorable

to lease a car. The lease arrangement for a car usually goes from 12 to 48 months and includes from

10,000 and up miles each year. When leasing you want to pay attention to the:

• Down payment: An initial amount paid at the time of purchase, in installment buying, time sales, etc.

   

• Monthly payments: Depending on the vehicle you choose to lease, the monthly payment is decided upon at the beginning lease date. Visit this website for a greater understanding of monthly payments.

   

• Time period: The time period from first day of Lease to Termination date, usually negotiated at beginning.

   

• Miles a year: Lease agreements specify a maximum mileage allowance which the car may be driven over  the life time of the lease.

   

• Cancellation terms: Depends on the Lease agreement, always be sure to read the Terms and Conditions  of the vehicle you are interested in to see when the Lease agreement will expire and if you potentially would  want to end the Lease agreement. Again, like renting or leasing an apartment there are normally fees when  a Lease is terminated early.  

Newcomers from outside the US usually experience difficulties achieving financial credibility.

Therefore, you can expect difficulties entering a lease. Some car manufactures/brands have special programs

for newcomers from Europe. Be prepared to send employer letters etc.  

You can also contact ExpatRide. Their mission is to provide a stress-free process for expats in the U.S. to obtain a vehicle:

ExpatRide provides foreign nationals moving to or already in the U.S. with car leasing/purchasing of new/used vehicles,

any make or model nationwide. We do not require a U.S. credit score and some cases not even a U.S. driver’s license to

deliver cars. The expat can get a vehicle before or after arriving to the U.S. 

Personal Car Shopper Service (a free service): We offer according to the customer’s wishes to search find and negotiate

the price and check the condition on any type of vehicle nationwide. This ensures that the customer gets a good price and

vehicle in good condition (if pre-owned).

Flexible leasing/financing option that lets the customer get out the contract with less hassle and monetary penalties as our

product is tailored for expatriates.

Insurance: Get competitively priced insurance for your new or used car. No U.S. driver's license needed to set-up coverage.

Dealerships  

Global Imports BMW offer a 15 % discount on BMW / Mini service and accessories (excluding tires) to all 

current DACC members. Upon your first visit to Global Imports BMW, you need to identify yourself as a DACC 

Member, so they can put you in their system. Please ask for Peter Drexler if you have any concerns, and he

will introduce you to a service manager. Global Imports BMW strongly recommend you participate to attend

a BMW or a Mini Service 101 Clinic where you will be introduced to all of the services they offer and the 

service / parts department.

If you are looking to purchase or lease a car from Global Imports BMW their financial service department asks

that you bring.

• Employer Information (terms of employment, position, salary, time in the U.S., employer contact info)

• Former Employer (business name, address, phone, email)

• Copy of Drivers License (valid U.S. or International Drivers License)

• Bank Information (Deposit/Investment accounts, contact names and phone numbers)

• U.S. or Foreign Credit References ( Automobile loans/leases or Home mortgages)

• Copy of Passport

• Copy of valid VISA (Visa term must equal or exceed the term of the contract)

• Copy of I-94 INS Card

• Social Security Card or Proof of Application

Products and accessories for your car:  

Autozone 

Pepboys 

Sears 

Tag and Title:

No matter where you buy a car, remember you need to have the tag and title.

The title is the proof of ownership and the tag is the permission to use the car on the road. 

If you purchased your car from a dealership, they usually take care of this for you but remember to ask

the dealer to be sure. If you buy from a private party, contact the tag and title office at (404) 362 6500. 

In Georgia all gasoline-powered passenger cars and light trucks from 1982 and newer must pass an

emission inspection before being issued tag and title.

You can read more about this on the Department of Vehicles website:

Auto Insurance:

The insurance system in the US works the same way as in Denmark. The younger and more inexperienced you are,

the more expensive it is. Usually it is not possible to transfer your car insurance history from Denmark to the US.

However, it might help if you can have your Danish insurance company create documentation of your insurance

history back home. You can expect prices to be comparable to Denmark.  

Zipcar:

If you are planning on living in Metro-Atlanta and only will need a car occasionally it might be worth considering

a so-called Zipcar membership. Zipcar is a membership-based car sharing company providing car reservations

to its members, billable by the hour or day. Members can reserve Zipcars online or by phone, 24 hours a day,

seven days a week. Reservations can be made minutes up to a year in advance. Zipcar can save up to 70%

of the total transit costs for its members, as they pay only for the hours they actually use the vehicle, with no

responsibility for gas, insurance, maintenance, parking or lease payments.

To sign-up as a foreigner you might need a letter from your local police station in Denmark stating:

Mr. X, Danish social security number xxxxxx-xx, has not been involved in any traffic accidents as a

car driver in Denmark, just as Mr X has no criminal record in Denmark.

Public Transportation:

Getting around Atlanta can either be done by car or by riding MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)

The MARTA is a public train and bus transportation system that covers all of metro Atlanta. It is the most

cost-effective way to travel in Atlanta, and the most convenient, with a wide variety of fares and passes

available to meet each rider’s needs. MARTA allows bicycles on trains at any time of the day or night.

The regular single one-way fare is $2.50 for transportation throughout the system.

Weekly, monthly, and additional passes are also available.

Directions from A to B:

It is almost impossible to find your way around Atlanta without a GPS.

You can purchase a GPS at RadioShack. If you don’t think you need a GPS, you can use the two following

websites to print directions: Mapquest or Google Maps. 

Taxi:

Taxi Services are an exceptional way to move around Atlanta occasionally.

The city is not like New York or Los Angeles with a taxi cab at every corner.

The best way to use the taxi services are through reservation. Calling an hour or a little less before is best.

Atlanta Checker Cab: 1(404) 351 1111

Atlanta Taxi Cab Services: 1 (404) 954 2782

DACC Member Testimonial: 

When I first moved here to the United States I thought the process of getting settled would be an easy and

smoothly process, but I quickly learned that it probably wouldn’t be the case.

One of the things I had the most trouble of getting, perhaps also the must crucial one, was buying a car.

In order to survive in Atlanta you will need a vehicle and I learned that lessen after trying their public

transportation system. Where we in Denmark have a functioning and reliable transportation system that

can bring you to where ever you need to go, Atlanta doesn’t. Beside once safety being highly questionable

the system really only works downtown in Atlanta. so you most likely wouldn’t be able to commute.

Therefor the car is a necessary tool in order to get settled in Atlanta both privately and workwise.

But it wasn’t as easy to buy a car as I had hoped. If you have a great budget to buy a car is no problem,

but when you have to buy a reasonable priced car it can get challenging.

I went to a lot of used car dealerships and private sellers in order to find my self a car, as I learned you

need to be very careful because they will tell you anything in order to make a sale.

The best advise will defiantly be to take the car by a mechanic – not the one next door – and have him

make a thorough check, which will not take more than 30 min.

The first 3 cars I had via a mechanic, I was advised NOT to buy them, as they would most likely not last for long.

It’s probably going to cost you around 40 $ but it is 40$ well spend, so you minimize you risk to end up with a poor car.

So it wasn’t easy to find a reliable and reasonable priced car and I will get frustrating not to able to move around as you

like which I learned as I was tied down to my apartment for a few weeks.

So best the advice I can give is get a car a.s.a.p.!

DACC Member - Casper Alexandersen