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Are you an AUC student or new citizen thinking of buying a used car while living in Sint Maarten?
First things first, let's find a car.
Car dealerships offer a great selection of new vehicles, but once you realize how crazy the people on the island drive and park... unless you have an endless amount of cash I wouldn't waste your money on buying anything nice. You will also probably notice how much more expensive cars are on the island due to import costs for vehicles and parts.
For a used car, you can search around by reaching out to rental car companies across the island, such as Dollar Thrifty and ask what cars they have for sale. Another option is to browse the Sint Maarten "Facebook Marketplace" pages such as Buy, Sell, Trade SXM. This page not only includes listed cars, but furniture, clothing, baked goods and more.
When meeting to look at a car, you should test drive the car and match the car's VIN number with the engine. It is also important to note when the last infection was done. The inspection sticker is located on the front windshield and when it is legally authorized to be inspected by.
Once you find your new island car, the registration then begins.
Note: When visiting the Ministry of General Affairs Office (Public Service Center)there is a dress code !!!
NO Graphic T-shirts, tank tops, very short skirts or shorts, sundresses, flip-flops, athletic jerseys or indecent exposure1. Draft a Bill of Sale
A Bill of Sale must be signed by both yourself and the seller indicating details of the item that has been sold and the exact amount that it was sold for. An example draft of this is listed below.
2. Officiate the Bill of Sale
Take your signed Bill of Sale document and get an official stamp which can be purchased at the Public Service Center for the Ministry of General Affairs Office in Simpson Bay or Phillipsburg for $5 NAF (around $3 USD) in cash.
3. Buy Car Insurance
Once your Bill of Sale has been officiated, the next step is to purchase car insurance. Go to Nagico Insurance office in Phillipsburg to get a quote. Insurance is a one time payment for an entire year for a total/one time cost around $250. Which can be paid with credit card or cash.
In order to purchase car insurance you must bring the following:
Bill of Sale
Valid Driver’s license
Proof of address (ex: Utility Bill, Registration form or Bank statement not older than 3 months) - I'm not sure why but no one waiting to get insurance at Nagico remembered to do this
No Claim/Bonus Letter from previous Insurer (if applicable)
4. Vehicle Inspection
Before registering your vehicle, you will need a current vehicle inspection certificate.
The inspection address is:
Soualiga Rd. Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.
The inspection building is open from 8am to 4pm Monday through Friday (closed on Holidays) and is a first come, first serve basis. Once you arrive you must go to window 1 and wait in line in order to renew your vehicle inspection which is done in their garage while you are in the car. It is a very new and interesting experience if you are coming from the states. The simulator in their garage will make the car shake and then"drops" the car in order to check the engine and breaks with you inside. Overall the inspection is a fairly quick process taking around 10-20 min once it's your turn in line.
If the vehicle does not have an up to date inspection, you will need to have the
vehicle inspected and an inspection report and certificate issued for the cost of
approximately $20 USD cash.
If the vehicle has a current vehicle inspection, you will need to bring the vehicle, the
current inspection report, and Bill of Sale to the office to have the paperwork
transferred to your name. The fee for the transfer is approximately $11 USD cash.
5. License Plate Tax
Each year you must pay for a new license plate a.k.a. tax for your vehicle starting in January and is normally due by February 28th each year to keep the same number plate. This can be done at the Public Service Center in Simpson Bay or Phillipsburg to obtain a newly updated plate that matches the "color" of that tax year to avoid fines. This costs around $190 for both the yearly tax and new plate, which can be paid with either cash or credit card.
You must bring the following:
Officiated Bill of Sale
Car Insurance in your name
Up to date inspection report/certificate in your name
Receipt of previous License plate
If the car does not come with a license plate already purchased, the process of obtaining one can be found here: http://www.sintmaartengov.org/government/AZ/psc/Pages/Number-plate-road-tax-payment.aspx
Drivers License
They may ask you to register a new plate number under your name which can be done for at the Ministry of General Affairs office in Phillipsburg. This often occurs if you buy a car without a license plate!
Additional Car Tips:
- In order to fill up your car with gas, you need to first tell the cashier what pump you are at and leave a $20 down payment (gas is billed per liter not per gallon)
- USE THE GREEN PUMP! That is gasoline, whereas the red pump is diesel. I cannot get over how many tourists and students accidentally fill their rental cars up with the wrong type of gas.
- Need car parts/products? Ace Hardware in Cole Bay and Phillipsburg and Napa Autoparts in Cole Bay are my preferred places to go.
- It get's super hot and humid in the summer so please make sure your car has coolant in it to prevent starting the engine from overheating (or even starting on fire)