So I'm considering buying a car from out of state and I wanted to know what my options were for bringing the car back here legally. I called the DMV and they said in NC in order to get a temporary tag I need to provide proof of ownership (a title signed over to me) and that just having insurance wasn't enough.

Well obviously nobody is going to sign a title over without getting payment and there's no way I'm paying without seeing the car in person. So it seems from a NC tag perspective I'm fucked.

I'm guessing I probably just can't slap on a plate that's already registered to me, so is my only other option to get it registered in the state I'm buying it? Can you even do that if you're not a resident of that state?

2/22/2011 2:05:13 PM

Drive car from place of purchase to NC DMV and get new tags for the vehicle. Just make sure you have all of the paperwork proving the sale when you drive it home in case you get stopped.

If you are super concerned about it, you can go to the DMV and they can issue you paperwork that allows you a few days to take care of everything. This was the case for a vehicle i bought, and when i was pulled over I just handed the paperwork to the officer. He ran the VIN and information on the vehicle and then told me i was good to go.

2/22/2011 2:44:37 PM

Whenever I need to buy a vehicle from far-a-way, I bring a plate from a vehicle I already own. Then I just drive it home, hoping I don't get pulled. Even if I do get pulled; I'm not too concerned about going to jail if I have a notarized title, proof of insurance and bill of sale. I assume an officer would understand my situation and issue me a ticket at worst.

2/22/2011 2:54:14 PM

Fictitious tag tickets suck

2/22/2011 3:39:40 PM

What state are you purchasing the car in? Some states allow you time to get tags with simply your paperwork with you.

2/22/2011 6:13:18 PM

well actually considering a few, so VA, FL and GA are the states in question.

Quote :

"Whenever I need to buy a vehicle from far-a-way, I bring a plate from a vehicle I already own. Then I just drive it home, hoping I don't get pulled. Even if I do get pulled; I'm not too concerned about going to jail if I have a notarized title, proof of insurance and bill of sale. I assume an officer would understand my situation and issue me a ticket at worst."

i'm pretty sure if the cop is enough of a dick it could be grounds for getting impounded. definitely dont want to deal with that.

[Edited on February 22, 2011 at 6:50 PM. Reason : ]

2/22/2011 6:47:53 PM

Let's be honest, there is one in NC too

For real though, I've driven two cars back from VA. Took my plate that I was insured under with my insurance card and all that other good stuff. Immediately call your insurance agent and get them to put the car you just purchased on your policy. I'm talking like sitting in the car getting ready to drive it off from the previous owner. I was even told by my insurance agent that would cover me in the event of an accident for a short period from the Bill of Sale date on the new car.

All of this combined with the notarized title and you really shouldn't have an issue.

2/22/2011 6:58:50 PM

You can get a 3 day tag in NC for this purpose. I'd assume most states offer the same. You'll have to do your own research on each state's website to confirm and find out exactly what you need to bring with you.

I'd just drive it back with the right paperwork and no tag though.

On the insurance thing...I'm with Allstate and my agent told me I'm covered for up to 30 days after purchasing a new vehicle. I just have to call within 30 days to get it added to my policy, but I'd be covered if anything happened in the meantime. I guess he got tired of me calling while standing in the DMV line.

[Edited on February 22, 2011 at 7:19 PM. Reason : s]

2/22/2011 7:16:34 PM

Quote :

"Whenever I need to buy a vehicle from far-a-way, I bring a plate from a vehicle I already own. Then I just drive it home, hoping I don't get pulled. Even if I do get pulled; I'm not too concerned about going to jail if I have a notarized title, proof of insurance and bill of sale. I assume an officer would understand my situation and issue me a ticket at worst."

They won't. No plate is better than a fictitious plate.

2/22/2011 8:35:38 PM

ive driven 10 or so cars with old plates to get the car home ....some of them from NYC down to NC.

obey traffic laws, have bill of sale with copy of seller's driver's license and signed-over title. you should be good. none of this 10 day or 3 day license. it's a waste of time.

2/23/2011 1:07:06 PM

U just got lucky that u never got pulled

2/23/2011 3:15:08 PM

^it's all about risk management. my sister has been obeying traffic laws for twenty years and never got pulled over in her entire life. 10-15 times i was pulled over it was always because i was blatanly not obeying laws.

it is safe to assume that if you punctually obey traffic laws you are highly unlikely to get pulled over. i would just check the car for obvious like burnt out tail lights or brake lights.

going to DMV and waiting in the line for 3hr to get some nonsense 3 day tags is not worth my time.

2/23/2011 3:27:56 PM

I used to do the same. I understaf. Now I just tow

2/23/2011 3:58:01 PM

local po-po's run plates at traffic signals all the time, you never know.

2/23/2011 9:17:00 PM

Quote :

"it is safe to assume that if you punctually obey traffic laws you are highly unlikely to get pulled over."

wrong

Quote :

"local po-po's run plates at traffic signals all the time, you never know."

correct

2/24/2011 8:34:33 AM

and how often you have a cop right behind you? 5x/year?

2/24/2011 9:24:50 AM