How to buy a car out of state?

jthwan22 · 05-16-2007, 08:39 PM

Do I need to get insurance and register it before I drive it home? How do you guys do it?

Kaliv · Kaliv's Garage

Not saying it's legal, but the PO left his plates on the car and I drove mine home through multiple states. When I got home, I mail his plates back.

Or you could get temp plates from your home state and put them on the car. Temp plates are usually good for about 30 days. However, I think you need to show ownership first...

For insurance? I just called up my insurance company and told them to add the car to my bill starting the day I planned to take ownership. That day, I went online and printed off my insurance paperwork and then drove 9 hours to pick up my car.

For registration...I think you have 3 months to register a car in most states. Like I said, you can get temp plates to move the vehicle, then you register it, then you get real plates.

ChemMan · ChemMan's Garage

If you buy at a dealership, it is a piece of cake. I did this last weekend. Just go to the bank, get a cashiers check and switch your insurance. The dealership will have temporary plates.

From a private person, this is what I did. Wire transfer to their bank account. I called the bank to verify that the person existed and that there was actually a lein on it. They confirmed. Flew down, picked up the car, got transit plates and drove back home.

audi2.7t · 05-17-2007, 06:42 AM

When I bought mine in SC I just threw a work dealer plate on it...but I guess that doesn't help you any..
I didn't have a plate a few weeks ago and needed to move the car a few miles so I called my ins. Co., they told me that my policy extends to any vehicle I can prove I own, the title is signed over to me so they told me it's no problem to drive it (for transport purposes only) and even sugested that I use the plate off my truck just so I have a plate that's registered to me so the vehicle would be traceable in the event of any problems...
I suggest you call your ins. Co. and see what they say. Insurance is the only immediate requirement to drive, registration and inspection have a grace period in most states.

trader220 · 05-17-2007, 11:10 AM

I take old plates with me... accordint to USAA as soon as you buy it you're covered even if you dont call it in right away but I never risk it and I just call and add the car right away. If you have the title and you get pulled over I am guessing you can get cut a break.

ChemMan · ChemMan's Garage

It also depends on the states you will be driving through. The Ohio State Police told me not to drive through their state with plates registered to another vehicle. Even if those plate were going to be transfered to the new vehicle. Also not to drive through Ohio without plates.

Gogar · 05-17-2007, 01:57 PM

It's easy to call your insurance company and get coverage for the drive home. Just have the VIN and the mileage, etc. and tell them the story. They do it all the time.

To be completely legal i think you would have to go get a temp plate for the state you're buying the car in. After you buy the car and have the title you would go to the DMV and get a temp reg or "in transit" temp plate.

You could get a temp plate in the state you live in, but they won't give you a temp plate for a car you don't actually own yet.

When I did it I had a good rapport with the PO and he let me borrow his plates until I got home, and I mailed them back. Easiest IMO.

Stutzdriver · Stutzdriver's Garage

Generally your insurance has a clause that gives you 30 day coverage on any new purchases, In Ohio you can get a temp plate as the buyer from the local office of the DMV but they sometimes have strange hours,

OR

You can borrow a dealer plate from a friendly dealer friend to transport the car.

OR

You can bring the plated from a car at home (that you own) and use that, if you get stopped you can show that you just purchased it and (again in Ohio) you have 30 days to register a new/transferred registration. You just have to tell the officer that the car was sold and the plates will be transferred upon arriving home.

Best thing----->DON"T DO ANYTHING THAT LOOKS SUSPICIOUS!!!

Good Luck!!

Shawn 357 · 05-17-2007, 02:49 PM

Stutzdriver is right that a lot of insurance companies will automatically give you coverage but the length of time they give you will vary by state and insurance company. Check with your insurance provider first. I know that my particular company changed from 30 days to 14 days about a year ago. I have always just carried the bill of sale with me when driving a newly purchased vehicle and I have never had a problem.
-Shawn