Buying a car in New Hampshire

Hi,

I will soon be relocating to New Hampshire to take a professional job under a TN employment visa.

I will be surrendering my BC licence and applying for a NH licence upon arrival, and intend to purchase a new car (plus auto insurance) within a week of my arrival.

My question: in which order do I proceed? In order to obtain a NH licence, I will need an SSN, for which I'm aware I will have to wait up to two months or more. So, will a new car dealer allow me to buy a car with my BC licence in hand? Or will they require a NH licence, and thus force me to rent a car for multiple months while I wait for the SSN to be granted?

And since this will be my first time owning a car of any kind, do I purchase the car, then apply for auto insurance, or must I bring proof of coverage in order to buy?

Thanks in advance for any clarification.

are you financing the purchase or buying it outright? if you are financing (through an american bank), you will need your ssn (but you should be able to get your number before you get your card). but as you have no history in the states, you may be SOL as everything there works on your credit history-i had problems renting an apartement!
as for insurance, you generally need proof of insurance before you take posession.
when i moved down i had a car i brought with me, so when i bought my next one some years later it was an easier task.
i am actually going through similar experience here in germany now.