MOVING TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
Shipping your Car, Registration & Driver's License Info.
A car is the best mode of transportation for a resident living in the US Virgin Islands. None of the islands are easily navigated on foot. Public transportation is available between the more populated residential and commercial areas. Taxis exists, they are pricey.There are car dealerships in the Virgin Islands that sell new and used vehicles. Individuals also sell their personal cars in newspaper classifieds under 'used cars' or 'cars for sale'. Should you Ship your CarThings to think about when deciding whether to bring your car to the Virgin Islands with you.
- Decide whether your car is worth enough to spend the money to transport it to the islands. If it’s not worth it then sell it in the states and buy a car when you get here.
- You will be asked about your title on the car, if you do not have it you may be asked for a letter from your lender indicating you have permission to transport the vehicle off the mainland US. Ask the shipping company you are using for full details on required documents and/or letters.
- Main roads are paved. There are some residences with dirt driveways.
- Roads on St. Thomas & St. John are steep and curvy. (You’ll need a sturdy engine. Good Brakes.) St. Croix has more flat areas but also has some steep roads.
- It is hot here. (You’ll need a good cooling system and AC if you want comfort.)
- Can you get parts for your car here?
- Salt in the air is hard on cars.
- There are several taxes you will pay to bring a car into the territory.
Shipping your Car
Shipping barges for cargo will transport cars from ports generally on the east coast of the US mainland to St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Registering your Car in the Virgin Islands
Your mainland license plates will not work here. Your car must be registered in the US Virgin Islands. Motorcycles go through the same registration and tax processes as cars. Note: Offices are in different areas; not all in the same building so allow several hours to a day and patience to get it all completed.Customs: Clearing customs and paying duty is usually done at an office close to the shipping dock. The duty collected is based on country of origin on the car and is calculated using the book value or Bill of Sale, whichever is greater. The VIN number is used to determine origin: if the first digit is 1, 4 or 5 it is a U.S. car and there is a no duty owed. Vin’s starting with 2 or 3, there is a 6% duty. Vin’s starting with 6 or with a letter it is 3.5% duty. The U.S. Customs Office will accept personal checks, cash, certified checks and money order. You can call the Customs Office at (340) 714-1600 for more information.
Road Tax: 1. You must get a Bill of Lading from the shipping agent when the car arrives in the USVI. 2. Take the Bill of Lading to the Internal Revenue Office, and pay the 16 cents per pound road tax. This fee is accessed when you bring a car into the territory. Your title may have the weight on it; if it does that is what they will use. If it does not you can look up the weight online and print that page to show when paying the road tax. For more information call Internal Revenue office at (340) 714-9332. You can use cash, certified check or money order to pay this tax.Insurance:3. Insurance is required in the US Virgin Islands. You must get your vehicle insured before requesting a moving permit. Moving Permit:
4. Go to the Department of Motored Vehicles (DMV) to get a permit to move your vehicle from the dock. Moving permits are $5. The permit allows you to move a non-registered vehicle from one point to another and only between those two points. Usually the dock to the DMV. St. John residents would need to secure a moving permit to move their vehicle from the dock on St. Thomas to the car barge in Red Hook and then to the DMV on St. John to complete the inspection and registration process. Inspection:
5. Take your vehicle to DMV to get your vehicle inspected. Bring with you, receipt that you paid the road tax, title or notarized letter indicating why you don't have the title, proof of insurance and driver's license. You do not need a Virgin Islands driver's license, you can use your stateside driver's license. A new resident has a 90 day grace period to get their Virgin Islands driver's license. You may be asked to show your moving permit. There is a $10 inspection fee.Inspection Process: The driver stays seated in the drivers seat unless asked to get out to open the trunk and show the spare tire. They will check windshield wipers, horn, lights, spare tire, turn signals, brake lights, breaks, tires, exhaust and muffler, mirrors, general condition of the car... If you don’t pass inspection, the inspector will tell you why and give you a form showing what part you failed. You have to fix the problem and come back for inspection with the paper they gave you. If you fail inspection on a car that just entered the territory you will have to get a moving permit to get it to a garage to repair it and then another to bring it back to the DMV to complete inspection and registration.Registration/New Plates:6. Necessary paperwork for first time registrants are inspection form, receipt that you paid the road tax, title or notarized letter indicating why you don't have the title, proof of insurance and driver's license. You may be asked to show your moving permit. The cost of registration is based on the weight of the car. It can vary from $34 to $91 approximately. At the end of registration you will be given VI plates, a registration sticker for your windshield and a registration form. Plates and windshield sticker must be visible at all times. Note: Inspection and updating registration must be done annually. Annual inspection is required, you must present driver's license, proof of insurance and registration during annual inspection.
Getting a Drivers License
Valid driver's licenses from anywhere in the United States are good for 90 days after arrival in the US Virgin Islands. If your driver's license is from elsewhere you would need to get a temporary license.
I have a valid US license: If you have a valid US license you can turn in the US driver's license in exchange for a VI driver's license without taking either the road or written exams. On St. Thomas and St. John you must first go to the DMV office and pick up/pay for an application/medical form (see Application Form topic below) which you must get completed prior to trading in your driver's license. On St. Croix you complete a driver's license application form on the spot while trading your stateside license for a VI license; it cost $35. You may need to show your social security card and proof of nationality in the form of a birth certificate, a valid US passport, proof of naturalization or an alien resident card.
I do not have a license; My US license is expired or no longer valid: If you do not have a valid license you will have to complete necessary application/medical forms and take both the written and the road test.
Application/Medical Form: The Application/Medical form can be purchased for a small fee at the Department of Motor Vehicle on St. Thomas and/or St. John. The form is a double sided sheet or two one sided sheets. The form is stamped when they give it to you.
The first page includes general information about you; your name, address, social security number, birth date, employer, prior driving violations or driver's license issues (having it revoked). Two passport size, color photos are requested to be attached to the form. The second page is a medical form that must be completed by a physician.
The medical form includes your blood type and questions in a yes/no form. Questions include; do you have hearing problems, have you any mental conditions or been confined to an institution, do you have diabetes, have you ever had a stroke, do you have high blood pressure among other questions of a similar nature.
The second half of the medical form is a visual exam. It requires a visual acuity test without glasses and then with glasses if you wear them and a simple peripheral vision test. If you do not wear glasses but can not pass the visual acuity exam the doctor will indicate that it is necessary for you to get glasses and then retake the visual exam.
The physician must sign and stamp the form. The medical form can be completed at a walk in clinic or at an optometrist's office. The fee is generally $25-$60 for the brief eye exam depending on where you go to have it completed.
Written Test: The DMV will give/loan you a book to study the local laws for the written test. Questions include topics like speed limits in town and out of town, what to do if someone is trying to pass you, when to turn on/off your headlights, what various street signs mean or what they look like (shape, color) and where main roads and highways are located.
Road Test: The road test begins with your ability to reverse into a parking spot without hitting or coming too close to cones. If you fail this part the road test is over. If you pass its on to the road where the tester observes your use of mirrors, hand signals, response to street lights and signs, speed limit, school zone rules etc. You will be asked to reverse in the road - this is to see if you know what side to reverse on. Tips: When starting out be sure to adjust your mirrors, seat, seatbelt etc. You are not the regular driver of the car you are in so these things are not adjusted for you and you will lose points for not adjusting them. A licensed driver must bring you to the road test in their car which you use to the take the test; they wait for you at the DMV while you take the road test.
For More Information and Questions contact the DMV. On St. Thomas the number is (340)774-5765, on St. Croix (340)713-4268 and on St. John (340)776-6262.
USVI Moving Center - Shipping/Moving
Unless you plan to move with only what fits in your suitcase you will find moving your personal and household items here to be one of your biggest projects. Below you will find some ideas to get you started on how to move your things to the islands with you!
Shipping Large Items:
The least expensive way to ship a large quantity of items, perhaps your entire household and car(s), is by ship using a moving company. Items must be packed in crates and delivered by you or a moving company. Most large moving companies have agents in the U.S.V.I., call your local movers to find out if they have contacts in the U.S.V.I that would facilitate your move. You must then hire a trucker or moving/storage company locally to pick up your crates and deliver them to your home or store them until you arrive. St. John residents should take note that the trucker must additionally take your crates over on a barge and to St. John. It is a good idea to call around and get estimates. Flemings' Transport Co., Inc
Featured Freight Management & Moving Company
(340) 277-0431
(340) 778-9160
(340) 778-9003 (fax) Flemings’ Transport is a family owned and operated business for 34 years. We offer a total service, all under one roof, including moving and packing (commercial and residential); customs brokerage; equipment rental; container hauling, general trucking and delivery; heavy equipment hauling/towing; packing supplies; warehousing and storage; vehicle processing and shipping (import and export); special project handling; freight forwarding and logistics (air/sea). Contact us today for free advice and estimates on your next job. If there is a service that you need, and it is not listed above please call us. Flemings’ Transport Co., Inc – First in Freight.Send Us an E-mailwww.flemingstransport.com
Top of the Line Transport
Featured Freight Management & Moving Company
(866) 729-7960 Need to get something from Point A to Point B quickly, affordably and safely? "Big or Small, we do it All." Whether you have a car, boat, motorcycle, a few boxes or an entire load; whether you’re sending belongings across the country or across town; we have the right people at the right price. Family owned, we offer a range of residential and commercial services to/from the U.S. Mainland and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. We have the ability to ship from several U.S. warehouses. We can provide accurate estimates once you give us the dimensions and weight of your shipment. Have a supplier that refuses to ship to the U.S. or British Virgin Islands, we can assist by having your shipment delivered to our Miami agent, consolidated and shipped to the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.Send Us an E-mailwww.topofthelinetransport.com Tip for Seasonal Mover/Temporary Resident:
If the islands are not a permanent home for you, don’t bring too many expensive and valuable items. Antique furniture can be turned to dust by termites; delicate furnishings can be covered in mildew if you are living in wetter areas or close to the sea. Hurricanes also can destroy items. So carefully consider what things you need and want to move with you, what things you could sell in a yard sale and others that you’d rather let a close family member hold on to it for you until you are certain you’ll be staying in the islands for a long time.
Small Items Only:
If your items are small in nature and can be packed in boxes consider the US postal system your friend! Pack your items in boxes, no more then 70 pounds each, as this is the standard maximum accepted as far as weight goes. Delivery can take several weeks. Take a trip down to your local post office to inquire about weights, box sizes, and cost of postage.
Other Suggestion:
Another option is to contact airlines that service the U.S.V.I and see if airfreight is a option.
Large items and fragile items should be packed professionally and shipped professionally. Smaller items can be packed personally and shipped by postal service or brought down with you in luggage.
Vehicle Rentals in St. Croix
Featured Vehicle Rentals in St. Croix
Budget Rent A Car
Budget's rental counters are conveniently located, one right at the St. Croix Henry Rohlsen International Airport, and in Christiansted near the seaplane ramp, and for cruise ship passengers in Frederiksted across from the Pier. And Budget will pick you up at your hotel, too.
We look forward to seeing you and having you enjoy St. Croix!
Judi of Croix Car Rentals
You'll never wait in line with Judi of Croix! Judi of Croix Car Rentals is the only rental company on St. Croix that offers free delivery and pickup anywhere on the island. And we never overbook--your reservation guarantees your rental. You'll love our late-model sedans, SUV‚s, vans and station wagons - primarily Toyotas. They're all automatic and air-conditioned.
Midwest Auto Rental GUARANTEED LOWEST RATE - Midwest is pleased to announce that we have the lowest rate on St. Croix - Guaranteed. If you find a lower rate, we will match or beat it.
Olympic/Ace Rent-A-Car
Olympic - Ace Rent A Car, located on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands is the oldest and largest independent car rental agency on St. Croix. Our fleet includes compacts & full size cars, 4 wheel drive GMC Jimmys and Jeep Wranglers, and Minivans.
Other Vehicle Rentals in St. Croix
Avis Car Rentals
Henry E. Rohlsen Airport
340-778-9355
Centerline Car RentalsCenterline Road, LaReine
340-778-0450 or 888-288-8755
Hertz Auto RentalAround the Corner. Around The World. Around St.Croix. Hertz provides you with the perfect car for you to enjoy St. Croix. You can choose from compact, mid and full sized vehicles, family sized mini-vans as well as SUV’s and Jeeps to add more fun and adventure to your trip. We will have the perfect car for you, whatever your need is.Henry E. Rohlsen Airport
340-778-1402 or888-248-4261
O'Neale's Transport, Inc.
In addition to providing ocean shipping, warehousing and air freight services, O'Neale's Transport, Inc. owns a fleet of over 75 trucks, ranging from vans, to tractor trailers. We are ready to take on the most challenging assignments.
The business and private sectors of St. Croix depend on O'Neale's Transport, Inc. on a daily basis, confident that we will provide expert professional transportation services, for all imported and exported merchandise. Services include: • Warehousing • Steamship Agency • Stevedoring • Moving Local & Overseas • Custom Brokerage • Trailer Hauling
• International Freight Forwarders • Water Delivery
Contact Info
Phone:340-778-1111 Fax:340-778-0855 Email:info@oneales.comWebsite:www.oneales.comAddress:Wilfred Allick Container Port, P.O. Box 7550 Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00823-7550
LINKS TO GETTING AROUND IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
