Ownership of a car

[StandupSister]

Hi Moms. My son is in A school in Charleston in Phase 3. We're taking his car down in a couple of weeks. Right now, I own the car but he makes the payments so it's really his car. I was just wondering if I should transfer the title to him, or would it make things easier if I kept it in my name? Has anyone run into problems either way?

I don't know if he needs to get a new driver's license for S. Carolina, or if he can stay on my insurance -?(I'll have to call the ins. company on that.) Plus, with him leaving in less than two years ... I just don't know what issues we might run into. Anyone?

[ProudOfK]

I'd like to throw out a related question. Initially my son has no plans to have a car at GC. He actually used one of our cars his last 2 years of high school. So he'll be buying a car when he does decide he needs one. I'm just curious when that might be. It sounds like he really will need one by the time he gets to prototype but I'm wondering about A school and power school. How easy is it to get by without a car?  Sounds like a lot of guys have wanted them partway through A school. 

[Cybermama Ship 09, Div 160]

There are usually plenty of sailors who have cars and give rides but reciprocating is always nice.  Ours waited until A school was over.  He flew home, voted (a sheer coincidence!), and my husband and I transferred ownership of my refurbished car to him.  He got it licensed and insured and we all drove 2 cars to South Carolina.  We live in New Mexico and it was a great trip! 

An advantage to doing it the way we did, between A school and Power school was that we could all travel together.  Our son had been on many, many road trips with us but he did not ever do much driving.  This was his big chance.  He got a feel for how long he could drive, when he needed a break, when we should stop for the night, etc.  Prior to that trip, we had always done the logistics, etc.  This time, we included him in making those plans.  It was a good learning experience.

When he completed Prototype, he was assigned to WA.  He didn't have much worth shipping and decided to load his car with stuff he wanted to take with him and drove to NM.  We had some kitchen things for him, which he added to all his stuff, and he drove the rest of the way.  He said that he had a great time doing it and seeing things he had not seen before.  He still has that old clunker of mine and it still works just fine.

[ProudOfK]

Thanks much for that reply and gives some ideas on when to help him get a car. Once our son is in A school I'll be able to get his take on it too but this gives me so e ideas to give him. 

[Buzzbeck]

Probably the main reason our sailor wanted a vehicle in A School and Power School was to be free to go off base to visit the beach, go to the movies, go eat, etc when he wanted to, and to get away from the stress and just relax. He's kind of independent and a lone wolf, needed time alone to relax. But I have heard that many sailors go off base in groups, or with the Recreation Group on trips.

[ProudOfK]

Buzzbeck thanks - it sounded like you were describing our son.  He very much likes his alone time and his independence.  It kind of helps me know what to expect. 

[Alison]

Hi Sis, if this helps at all, my son keeps telling me that "only 2 things have to match" so he keeps his CT DL (matches his domicile of enlistment)  but car is still registered in SC, although he is now on his way to VA from NY. His wife has an FL DL and is planning to re- register her currently NY registered car in FL because the taxes are lower. 

So far it seems this is ok for them to choose within reason and based on location and taxes. CT has high vehicle taxes in addition to registration fees and certificates, so I would advise any of our sailors coming to Groton to get a vehicle beforehand :)

[WearsLargeHats]

It would depend a lot on how old your son is, and the type of car. A 19-year old with a fast car is going to pay crazy rates. Mine was 23 when he went to GC, and very sensible. He got a very reasonable rate on car insurance. He drove a hand-me-down beater through power school, then bought a used Ford Escape, which he could absolutely afford. SC, like most states, does not require that active-duty get in-state driver's license or plates. (HI is a notable exception.) He still has the Escape, though living on an island limits driving distance. It will go into storage when he goes on deployment, but it is paid-for, so no big deal.
I would recommend having your son take ownership of the car, and get his own insurance (USAA has always treated us right). There are considerations beyond money. It is so very hard, but there is a time to step back. He is a grown man, self-supporting (yay!), and competent. Be proud of that and respect it. If he has exclusive use of the car, and is making payments on it, then it it is his car and his responsibility, and everything that goes with it.

[beth]

We put the car in our sons name.  That way he could insure it through USAA on his own. Also if he were to have a wreck or something happen no one could come back on our assets.  It worked well for us.