how do you buy a car & drive it across the country without plates?

[Mike DC]

            
My friend on the east coast is thinking about buying a car out west & driving it back.  But he has no other car to borrow plates from.  He asked me what to do about this, and I must admit I'm not sure.  

I'm sure he would risk minor legal crap like a ticket if it was just going across town.  But the odds don't work anymore for a long run.  And I doubt he would make any 1000-mile return trips to deal with tickets incurred along the way.



Any advice?

[skip68]

You get a moving permit from DMV or a temporary 30 day.   You must have it insured of course.

[68X426]

You need to be more specific.

New car?

Used car with title and current plates?

Used car with title and no plates?

Used car with no title and no plates?

I'm guessing #3, the first two are easy, #3 and #4 requires him to deal directly with his state's DMV and their specific regulations for moving vehicles across state lines.  Usually it's as simple as a form for all four.

New car example: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/reg_hdbk/ch6/ch6_16

Used cars example: https://dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr36

California calls them registration permits and moving permits, like skip said.

[stripedelete]

DMV in state of purchase will set him up.

Btw, "Borrowing" plates is much worse than no plates.

[Lennard]

DMV in state of purchase will set him up.

Btw, "Borrowing" plates is much worse than no plates.

I agree on both accounts.

[garner7555]

DMV in state of purchase will set him up.

Btw, "Borrowing" plates is much worse than no plates.

Well said.  Borrowing plates is illegal.  Driving with no plates but with a bill of sale to prove you just bought it and are going home to get plates is not illegal.

[Troy]

It should be easy to get temporary (30 day) tags.

Depending on the state... as long as you have the signed (non-transferred) title in your possession you're generally OK to get the car home. Obviously that won't fly 3 weeks later.

Troy

[wingcar]

Very fast and only at night.....................
get plates, even temp ones.....or plan on extending your trip by way of some local jail...(on the plus side, there is free room and broad....)

[Mike DC]

               
I don't know all the specifics of this deal.  

I know it's a used car, probably 1980s/90s (he likes euro/Jap stuff).  My friend has no other cars right now so he has nothing to borrow plates from.  I assume it will be bought from a private owner.  




His worry:
 
"By the time I show the cop that I'm legal, he will have already pulled me over, suspected I'm illegal, and his train of thought will be on ticketing me for something.  Going 2000 miles that way is asking for tickets one way or another."

   

[Homerr]

Yeah, a trip/temp permit in the back window should make him legal.

[Trulyvintage]

Very fast and only at night.....................
get plates, even temp ones.....or plan on extending your trip by way of some local jail...(on the plus side, there is free room and broad....)

Might I inquire where one can find a free room with a broad ?



Jim

[stripedelete]