Buying car out of state - driving without plates?

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

I am flying down to north carolina to buy a 951 and then drive it back up to CT, stopping along the way to visit some old friends. Alas, the transaction has not been 100% completed yet, so I don't have title or registration in hand - which makes it impossible to register or get temp plates in CT for now.

What would be the best way to go with this? I have been told by a couple sources (reputable ones) that it's okay to drive a car that was just purchased without plates as long as you have the proof of insurance, bill of sale, title, and registration in the car with you. This makes me nervous, though. Would I be better off attempting to get temp plates at the NC DMV while I am down there?

Big Ed · 09-14-2006, 05:30 AM

I wouldn't advise that.

Recent thread

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Um. Everything in that thread points to 'no plates' as the corret path to choose.

RallyJon · 09-14-2006, 05:43 AM

In almost every situation like that, you keep the existing tags on the car until your transfer the registration. As Jim C mentioned in the other thread, you have ALL the paperwork in the glovebox to show if you're stopped.

If the seller has a problem with that, tell him if he had provided a clear title in advance you wouldn't be asking. Naturally, you will be providing proof of insurance for the specific car to the seller and the seller will keep his insurance card and registration.

FWIW, I've been driving around my new 993 with the seller's Jersey tags for three weeks until he got me the title.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

What's interesting about this is that the seller seems to be a stickler for the law, claiming it's illegal, in NC, for a buyer to use the seller's plates once the car has been sold. I dunno, maybe he just wants to avoid a scene like the one mentioned in the old thread.

The seller advised driving with no plates, claiming he recently drove a new-to-him truck from TX to NC with no plates and no problems. Singpilot had a similar experience...

Joeaksa · 09-14-2006, 05:50 AM

I usually get temp paper tags in the state I buy the car. They should be good for the journey. You might also try to get temp tags in your state. Make sure you advise your insurance company.

IROC · IROC's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by RallyJon
In almost every situation like that, you keep the existing tags on the car until your transfer the registration.

In this state (Alabama) it is actually illegal to do this. You *have* to remove the tags when the car is sold. This is not the way it used to be. It used to be that the plates stayed on the car and the new owner simply registered that plate in his name, essentially. Back in the late '80s, I sold a clapped out Nissan Sentra to a loser who never registered the car in his name and proceeded to rack up a large number of traffic tickets. Which he never paid. I got summoned to appear in court. I had to go to the courthouse and provide proof of sale of the car (2 years earlier) to avoid paying hundreds of dollars in parking tickets.

Anyway, here in Alabama, you simply drive around with no plates on the car for a few days until you register it. No big deal. Tennessee issues paper (temporary tags).

Bottom line, I'd drive it with no plates and keep all of the documentation with you.

Mike

Jim Richards · 09-14-2006, 05:54 AM

When I lived in VA, I purchased a car from a seller in PA. VA DMV issed me a transit tag (paper tag) to make the trip home and to tide me over until I got to DMV to get real tags. The transit tag cost me a couple of dollars ($5, I think) and was something I could download from their website to my printer.

Check with your home state to see if they have a similar way to handle this.

91S2 · 09-14-2006, 05:59 AM

If you plan on driving the roughly 500 miles with no plates, prepare to be stopped by the police just about everytime you pass them. You gotta get some kind of plates on it. Just make sure if you're stopped you have the title, bill of sale and some proof of insurance.
Have you looked into getting a transporter tag?

Tim Hancock · 09-14-2006, 06:00 AM

FWIW, I bought a car from Lendaddy in Michigan. The car had expired Michigan plates and the title work was going to take a week to complete. I flew my wife up there from Ohio and she drove the car home on expired tags. All she had was a hand prepared Bill of Sale from Lendaddy and I think his old registration. She got pulled over for expired tags halfway home while still in Michigan. The hwy patrol officer let her continue on without too much of a hassle (of course I got a few "I told you so's" from her after she got home). My "guess" is that "most" law enforcement officers will be understanding if you have some record of the sale along with the seller's address and phone number should they want to verify anything.

91S2 · 09-14-2006, 06:13 AM

So much for transporter plates, unless you've got a business:
(from the Conn. DMV)

"Transporter plates are only issued to businesses that are located in the State of Connecticut for the movement of specific vehicles. They must not be used for commercial purposes or for the carrying of passengers. "

I can't see you getting a summons if stopped, but it would obviosly be a hassle.

Rodeo · 09-14-2006, 06:23 AM

In my state (RI), you can drive a car for up to three business days after purchase using the plates off YOUR car (not the seller's).

91S2 · 09-14-2006, 06:27 AM

I think you should be able to obtain a transporter plate in NC...
http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/forms/vehicleregistration/download/MVR16AA.pdf

Jim Richards · 09-14-2006, 06:28 AM

I think the important issue is what the states you're traveling through require for you to be legal. I think the transit/transporter type of tag, issued by your home state, is the way to go. Congrats on the 951 purchase!

williecoyote · 09-14-2006, 06:37 AM

I live in NC, and I don,t know the law on this, but I will be right next to the DMV in about 15 mins., and I would be glad to inquire on your behalf. All I ask from you is to get the Red Sox back to the World Series. Deal?

john70t · 09-14-2006, 06:43 AM

Temporary plates/paper and registration in NC (pay back fees), and insurance should work.

motion · 09-14-2006, 07:32 AM

I bought my 993 Cab in Florida a few years back and drove it 2800 miles home across the country with no plates. I was stopped maybe a dozen times but never ticketed for no plates. They ran a check on the VIN almost every time but no problems at all. Any reasonable cop will understand that you just bought the car and won't give you any hassles. Just keep the speeding to a reasonable level

williecoyote · 09-14-2006, 07:47 AM

OK this is from the lady at DMV.

You need:

title- properly signed over
proof of insurance for this vehicle
driver's license
$5.

This will get you a transport tag which is good for 10 days.

I hope this helps.

I don't think DMV is open on the weekend BTW.

Big Ed · 09-14-2006, 07:58 AM

CJ,

I'm clearly in the minority, but I was told conclusively NOT to do this in MA. Now, you aren't heading through MA, so maybe you'll be OK. For peace of mind, I'd get some kind of legal plate, though.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Thanks for the replies, guys... and thanks, will, for looking into this personally. I don't think I would have a huge problem driving the car without tags - it might cause a delay or two - but I am going to attempt to get some temp plates in NC once i arrive. I can't do it in CT, because I don't have the title/reg yet. Once I get the car in NC, I will go to the Charlotte DMV and ATTEMPT to get temporary tags. I say "attempt" because this is a DMV we are talking about here...

Thanks again for the advice...