purchasing a car from another state question...

[theflystyle]

well this is my first completely alone shot at buying a car (ie no parents to help). i found a car in Illinois which i plan on driving back to my state Virginia. Do i just drive the car back without any plates? or can i use the previous owners plates and just mail them back to him when i get there? assuming i have insurance the day i pick it up, what else would you recommend i think about or double check..

thanks

[evolutionmovement]

Bring your own plates.

[quicklook]

you may need to buy a temp plate from illinois and as you know it will need to be inspected in virginia before you can plate it.

if you use plates not for that car you will get a ticket, impounded or both.

look on both state websites for more info.

also tell your insurance company.

[evolutionmovement]

If MA allows you to swap plates with a valid bill of sale after telling your insurance company, I'd be surprised it would be a problem anywhere else. The only thing this damn state is lenient about is the strip clubs allow full nudity while serving alcohol. I don't go for strippers, but some people really like that feature.

[Caboobaroo]

If MA allows you to swap plates with a valid bill of sale after telling your insurance company, I'd be surprised it would be a problem anywhere else. The only thing this damn state is lenient about is the strip clubs allow full nudity while serving alcohol. I don't go for strippers, but some people really like that feature.

Same in Oregon... well about the strippers at least

I know a guy in CT bought a car in Idaho, got a temp tag from CT for it and drove it home. I believe you need to get the temp tag from the state you're taking the car to, not the state in which the car is. If you get pulled over in a state in which the tag is not from nor the car is in, simply show the officer the title, bill of sale, license and insurance and if he pulled you over because of the tag, it should be ok.

[quicklook]

in the past i got a temp plate in florida and drove car to california and another time go a temp plate in ca. and drove car to ohio.

this is why i said to check both state websites.

the law may be different then in conn. or wherever.

[theflystyle]

thanks for the help, looks like i will be getting a temp tag from VA

[Legacy777]

Yeah, get a temp tag from the state you are living in. Illinois wouldn't give me a temp tag for the impreza when I bought it. I don't recall the reason exactly.

You should be able to get one from VA, you may need to also show proof of insurance to VA. Your insurance typically will cover you with having to specifically add the car to the policy, but you do have to show proof, so just talk to your insurance company for a temporary proof of insurance identification.

That way you have all the stuff you need in case you get stopped while you're driving. bill of sale, make sure you get one, insurance, temp tag, etc.

Also, check with your state and see if there are any forms that need to be filled out and signed by the previous owner. I didn't know about the form when I bought the nissan, so I had to forge the previous owner's signature.

Just some extra things to think about.