Fly in drive home license question

[da Vinci Dan]

Thanks guys. I learned that Ga does not issue “in-transit” tags. Pennsylvania reguires an In person VIN inspection.

I do have an antique plate from my ‘84. Guessing I can slap that on the back and not drive like an idiot. I’ll ask if I can barrow the current tag for the trip home.

[darrin]

I'd be concerned with the ramifications of having a tag for another vehicle on your car, even if the cars were similar (especially with the police's widespread use of automated license plate scanning technology that could create a "hit" if, say, colors were different) -- seems verifying VINs is relatively routine when pulled over and putting your existing tag on the new car could open you up to some significant issues.

The signed-over title, completed and signed bill of sale, matching ID and printouts of docs from GA referencing how the state doesn't issue in transit tags and PA's in person VIN inspection requirement should get you through any potential LEO encounter by showing that you did your homework and are complying with applicable law. As a seller, I had a real concern with giving my plates to a stranger/buyer (and the attendant representation that the stranger's actions were mine/ratified by me)

[kc911s]

I was pulled over at 2:30 in the am with my 75 911 (silver) plates on my 77 930 (red) and the cop didn't say a thing. I had insurance on both cars, only one registered,and just got a warning for not completely stopping at a red light. I was expecting some questions about the plates but she didn't mention a thing about it.

[spedrcr]

I wouldn't try too hard to be legal. Just bust a move to your home state and ask for forgiveness if you get pulled over anywhere along the way.

In my personal experience, I purchased a car in Maryland and drove it home to Washington State. Maryland required the seller to turn the plates into the DMV so I had nothing to work with. I looked into what the states I would travel through required for temporary transportation of a vehicle on public roads and it varied greatly. Some required a simple fee and trip permit, others required state inspection by the state police and everything in between.

In the end, I put a piece of cardboard in a license plate frame in the back with "In transit to WA State" written on it. Pulled over once in Ohio for being a hoon driving 90mph. All they really wanted was for me to prove the car was mine and to get the hell out of their state.

By the way, this was a SCCA Showroom Stock B racecar with meatballs, numbers and sponsors all over the damn thing. (See below-not exact to when I drove across country) Stuck out like middle aged man at Taylor Swift concert. And only that one time in Ohio did I experience any issues.

Like I said, jump in, drive it and ask for forgiveness. Just my 2 cents.

[1979-930]

My first thought before getting to the end was; I’d pull a plate of one of my other cars and run with it. I’d bring the registration from that car and just be honest if pulled over. If your straight up it’s usually not worth their time.


Sent from my iPhone while Driving

[steely]

I was going to suggest the skyline drive / Blue Ridge Parkway anyway - not to hide - but to simply enjoy the trip.

[540964]

10years ago I bought a 535i in Buckhead and drove it home to Michigan without a plate, not a single problem. I had insurance coverage papers, the signed title and a written bill of sale. No worries.

[Matt Dillon]

Originally Posted by 540964

10years ago I bought a 535i in Buckhead and drove it home to Michigan without a plate, not a single problem. I had insurance coverage papers, the signed title and a written bill of sale. No worries.

The Michigan Secretary Of State website states that a new purchase can be driven from the point of purchase to to buyers home, by the most direct route, without a plate. You must have insurance, proof of purchase/receipt, and the signed title with you. I believe there is a time limit. Don't know how many other states have the same policy.

[RedCoupe]

Arizona has a special 90-day temporary permit for non-residents who purchase a car here and want to drive it around for a bit before heading home. Only $15.

[aj88cab]

GA didn't have Temp Dealer plates until a few years ago. Folks with a private purchase car would drive around with hand written "TAG APPLIED FOR" plates...some for years from the look of them. Dealers would just put a Dealer Advert Tag with the dealer name on the car.

GA plates stay with the original owner, not the car. So driving with the PO plates is potentially a problem if you get a Trooper having a bad day.

Dealers now issue Temp plate with expiration dates (30 days). Not so with private purchases as far as I know. If the GA DMV told you they do not issue Transit (or temp) plates, my suggestion is just hand write "GA Private Purchase - In Transit" on a blank plate. Carry the paperwork and be on your way to enjoying Porsche ownership.

Another option, depending on where the car is, stop by a DVM office and talk to someone in person, it always depends on who you talk to at the DMV maybe they will give you a Temp plate for the trip.
Where is the car located?

[aj88cab]

Originally Posted by steely

I was going to suggest the skyline drive / Blue Ridge Parkway anyway - not to hide - but to simply enjoy the trip.

I think the blue Ridge Parkway is closed this time of year...

[Otter74]

I bought my 911 in Atlanta in 2015 and drove it home to Chicago on its Georgia plates. I mailed the plate back to the seller once I got home and registered it in IL - when I bought the car he did nt realize GA was going to ask him to return the plate when he stopped insuring the car.

I did drive my Fiat from Detroit to Chicago on a valid Michigan plate that I, ahem, borrowed from my Sentra SE -R. that was a risk I found worthwhile in that circumstance but would not take generally.

[tirwin]

Originally Posted by Otter74

I bought my 911 in Atlanta in 2015 and drove it home to Chicago on its Georgia plates. I mailed the plate back to the seller once I got home and registered it in IL - when I bought the car he did nt realize GA was going to ask him to return the plate when he stopped insuring the car.

Huh, that's strange. I've NEVER had the state of GA ask for the plates back. I just hang 'em in the garage.

[da Vinci Dan]

Originally Posted by aj88cab

GA didn't have Temp Dealer plates until a few years ago. Folks with a private purchase car would drive around with hand written "TAG APPLIED FOR" plates...some for years from the look of them. Dealers would just put a Dealer Advert Tag with the dealer name on the car.

GA plates stay with the original owner, not the car. So driving with the PO plates is potentially a problem if you get a Trooper having a bad day.

Dealers now issue Temp plate with expiration dates (30 days). Not so with private purchases as far as I know. If the GA DMV told you they do not issue Transit (or temp) plates, my suggestion is just hand write "GA Private Purchase - In Transit" on a blank plate. Carry the paperwork and be on your way to enjoying Porsche ownership.

Another option, depending on where the car is, stop by a DVM office and talk to someone in person, it always depends on who you talk to at the DMV maybe they will give you a Temp plate for the trip.
Where is the car located?

Very helpful. I’ll be purchasing in in Norcross. I called a few local dealers hoping to find a person willing to help a guy out. No luck.

[Contadino]

I bought an '89 944 turbo in Colorado and drove it home to Minnesota. Stopped in at the CO. DMV and got a paper temporary tag which I put in the rear window. Drove the speed limit home because I didn't know the car and didn't want any problems. Still got pulled over once, officer said he didn't see my temp. tag at night.
Also got pulled over in MN about a month later. I had the new MN plates on but they didn't show up when the cop ran the plates. I guess their database didn't show that I had registered them yet. He "suggested" that I was using plates from another car. Luckily I still had the paperwork in my glove box.

With the way they check plates nowadays I wouldn't use plates that don't belong on the car.

[da Vinci Dan]

Originally Posted by Contadino

With the way they check plates nowadays I wouldn't use plates that don't belong on the car.

I called every state highway patrol I will be passing through and maneged to speak with a few state troopers as the offices could not answere the question.

Basically, not officially, if I had the bill of sale, license, insurance and title “I should be ok... if I’m not being stupid” It was recommended by two troopers to have something on my back window or in the license plate holder. Something is definitely better than nothing. If I had a current plate, the thought was at least I was doing the best I could to identify myself as the driver as the ‘84 plate is current, for me, and the address is the same.

I’m still open to input... please let me know if you have another way. Thanks for all the help so far.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by da Vinci Dan

I called every state highway patrol I will be passing through and maneged to speak with a few state troopers as the offices could not answere the question.

Basically, not officially, if I had the bill of sale, license, insurance and title “I should be ok... if I’m not being stupid” It was recommended by two troopers to have something on my back window or in the license plate holder. Something is definitely better than nothing. If I had a current plate, the thought was at least I was doing the best I could to identify myself as the driver as the ‘84 plate is current, for me, and the address is the same.



I’m still open to input... please let me know if you have another way. Thanks for all the help so far.

Dan,

You have not stolen or driving a hot car. So do not over think this thing. You got the deed of sale, title, etc. just drive carefully and enjoy the trip back home. If I were you, I would worry more about having a car breakdown than anything else. What would you do if the car suddenly stopped during half way home? Do you have spare relays, fan belt, spare tire, jack, etc.? Drive safely.

Tony

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

Dan,

You have not stolen or driving a hot car. So do not over think this thing. You got the deed of sale, title, etc. just drive carefully and enjoy the trip back home. If I were you, I would worry more about having a car breakdown than anything else. What would you do if the car suddenly stopped during half way home? Do you have spare relays, fan belt, spare tire, jack, etc.? Drive safely.

Tony

that^^^

it's not like you are some tide bot eating youngster. you are an old guy in a cool old classic car you are driving home post purchase. no strip or cavity search is emanate unless you go all MW driving like a fool on public roads home...

[da Vinci Dan]

Originally Posted by tcar

Check this thread... some good answers... haha...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/984815-driving-new-88-coupe-home-atlanta-northeast-pa.html

Why do 2 threads on same subject????

They are different subjects.

[kc911s]

Just be a man and drive the car home with no tag- as others have said, you are over thinking all of this. If that isn't for you- then trailer it or have it trailered/towed home.