Buying a car with an international license - please help! (Asheville: lawyer, moving to)

[20dmy]

Hey everyone,
New to the forum. Have given up after becoming exasperated trying to find answers online!

I am as US citizen moving back to the US after many years abroad with an MA license which expired about a year ago. My wife and I are moving to Austin and want to do a road-trip through the states - fun

So, for lots of weird reasons, the plan we are considering is to fly to Asheville, stay there for a while and buy a car, then drive to Austin. A bit convoluted I know...

My questions are about buying a car:
- Is it possible to buy a car in NC with an international driver's license?
- Do I need proof of residence or something?

Any help is super appreciated.

Thanks!!!

[Daedalus-NC]

Caveat: I am not a lawyer and have no idea what I am talking about!

You probably don't need a driver's license to buy a car, but will in order to register it and get plates. An International Driver's Permit is not valid in the country of record, therefore is not valid in the USA.

Does your wife hold a valid driver's license? If so, perhaps she should be the registered owner. If not, I'm stumped and defer to the real experts on the forum!