Rhode Island Temporary Plates

[dennis in se pa]

I live in Pennsylvania. Usually when I buy a car in another state, I go to that state's DMV and get a temporary plate, for about 5 days, to legally drive the car home. I am researching how Rhode Island does this and I can't seem to find an answer. They have ways to do this if you are a resident, but I can't find how an out of stater does this. Any answers?

[Jim Richards]

Can't you get a PA-issued transit tag for the car you want to buy?

[dennis in se pa]

I just checked on that option - No.

[Jim Richards]

Bummer. That's the approach I used when I used to live in VA. Too bad PA is different.

[john70t]

I'd spend an hour or two talking with DMV people in the specific city of purchase.
-Notate personnel names/dates/times/information with a witness(phone on speaker).
-At the next level follow up, with the same questions written in printed emails.
-At the next level, follow up with certified USPS letters to the department heads registered on official government websites.
-At the next level, have an attorney solve this.
It's a shame that this common info is still "unknown" by the public.....

You probably only need a temp plate and insurance in your home state.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Can you trailer it or have it shipped? Far fewer potential headaches.

[URY914]

If you drive fast enough you can be out of RI in a matter on minutes no matter where you are. What's the chance of getting caught?

[KFC911]

Here in NC, it is perfectly legal and standard practice to take a plate off of one of your cars and put it on the car you are buying out of state. Believe me, I've checked, and done it. You are also covered by your existing insurance (again, I checked with my agent). For the trip home, if you get pulled over (highly unlikely) you've got a legal plate (I also have the registration with me), for a car in your name (it does match your license I hope ), and a bill-of-sale, etc. from the seller. YMMV...

[billybek]

I bought my SC in RI and tried to get transit tags without success.
I brought my truck plate, registration and insurance with me just in case and drove the wheels off of it.
There may have been a reason why not to do this but I didn't have a ride home if I didn't drive it!

[968rz]

I bought a car in Maryland and asked about temp tags; I was told by the DMV it would take days to get them and I had to have a local address to send them to. I decided against that as I was leaving for home right away, I was pulled over for no plates 20miles from the state line.
Here in WI it's much worse to get busted for the wrong plates on a car then it is to have none.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by 968rz

Here in WI it's much worse to get busted for the wrong plates on a car then it is to have none.

Here too. I wouldn't do it. No plates but a dated bill of sale preferably notarized should help. Still, you are driving a car with no registration.

[dennis in se pa]

I have a call into AAA. I will post their response. (not "post up", what is that?)

[dennis in se pa]

This is beautiful. The AAA in Rhode Island does not know how to handle this. Are those people back about 100 years or what?

[KFC911]

Hey Dennis, why don't you contact your insurance agent (assuming you have an agent)? If not, just give one a call...they can tell you "the ropes" as it applies in your state...

[jwhcars]

Do you know any car dealers ? Ask if you can borrow a dealer plate , registration and insurance card.

[dennis in se pa]

I called my contact at TASCA Ford. He said Rhode Island does not issues temp plates. So it is - sign over the title, have an insurance card with you, and drive home with no tag. I guess the other states' officers know about this by now. Thanks to you all for your input.

[jwhcars]

You can put a dealer license plate on any car so long as you have a valid dealers insurance card & registration card. The dealers group ins. Card will cover all cars you put a tag on.
Just take the above with you and bolt the tag on the car.

[brianmullanl]

That's the approach I used when I used to live in VA.