Buying used car in Md -- live in Va... what do I use for tags while driving back to VA?

[Anonymous]

I'm planning to buy a used car in Md. I live in VA and will title it in VA. From what I understand, the seller has to take the tags off the car at the sale and return them to Md's DMV. What do I use for tags when I drive the car to Va?

[Anonymous]

You have some options:

We took the front plate off my car, and put it on the car we bought for my husband. I then followed him straight home, we parked his car in the driveway, and he went to the DMV the next day to register the car. Not the most legal option, but convenient, and a lot of people do this.

I've sold a car to someone before, and they took the title and bill of sale to the DMV, got a plate and came back for the car. This is the most legal way to do it, but you have to trust the seller.

When we bought our motorcycle, my husband rode it home, I followed in the car, and we mailed the plate back to the previous owner the next day. The owner was really trusting to let us do this (we are trustworthy people and didn't do anything bad on the ride home).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have some options:

We took the front plate off my car, and put it on the car we bought for my husband. I then followed him straight home, we parked his car in the driveway, and he went to the DMV the next day to register the car. Not the most legal option, but convenient, and a lot of people do this.

I've sold a car to someone before, and they took the title and bill of sale to the DMV, got a plate and came back for the car. This is the most legal way to do it, but you have to trust the seller.

When we bought our motorcycle, my husband rode it home, I followed in the car, and we mailed the plate back to the previous owner the next day. The owner was really trusting to let us do this (we are trustworthy people and didn't do anything bad on the ride home).

Thanks. The seller is my best friend, so I trust her and she me. But, We live an hour apart, (although there is probably a VA DMV about 40 min. from her place) -- so going back to get tags would be tough. But, I can see how that would be the most "legal" of the options.

Thanks! I will need the same information on the other side of the transaction as I will be selling my current car -- although not necessarily to someone from another state.

[Anonymous]

If she's your best friend, I would just drive the car back to VA and mail her the tags promptly. She doesn't have to return them to the DMV as soon as the ink is dry. The following week is fine.

Same information applies if you are the seller. Most likely the buyer will provide a plate to get it home. I would make it the buyer's problem.

[Anonymous]

Nothing. Just tape the bill of sale on the rear window

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Nothing. Just tape the bill of sale on the rear window

lol, nice. You could also just make a license plate with crayons.

[Anonymous]

Va has something called a "trip permit" to drive an unregistered vehicle and it's good for a couple days. But it's only good in Va.

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/temp_permit.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Nothing. Just tape the bill of sale on the rear window

lol, nice. You could also just make a license plate with crayons.

But really, unless you're driving like a jerk, it's unlikely you are going to get pulled over. And if you do, just explain to the officer that you just bought the car, show the bill of sale, and be on your way.

I recommend the driver have a relatively clean record (no warrants), and you don't use the unregistered car to transport drugs, weapons, or victims of sex trafficking.

[Anonymous]

Enjoy jail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Enjoy jail.

Huh? -NP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Va has something called a "trip permit" to drive an unregistered vehicle and it's good for a couple days. But it's only good in Va.

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/temp_permit.html

Thanks. This looks pretty good although I wonder if it would be valid in Md. (as I would be starting the trip in Md.) I don't think I'll be driving erratically, but I can imagine just driving normally and getting pulled over if a cop sees that I don't have any license plate at all. I would be driving on the beltway, 50 and 66. So, I can't exactly hide out on backroads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she's your best friend, I would just drive the car back to VA and mail her the tags promptly. She doesn't have to return them to the DMV as soon as the ink is dry. The following week is fine.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Nothing. Just tape the bill of sale on the rear window

lol, nice. You could also just make a license plate with crayons.

But really, unless you're driving like a jerk, it's unlikely you are going to get pulled over. And if you do, just explain to the officer that you just bought the car, show the bill of sale, and be on your way.

I recommend the driver have a relatively clean record (no warrants), and you don't use the unregistered car to transport drugs, weapons, or victims of sex trafficking.

With no plates OP will be pulled over by every cop that sees her. I agree you could probably get away with the approach suggested upthread about using plates from another car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she's your best friend, I would just drive the car back to VA and mail her the tags promptly. She doesn't have to return them to the DMV as soon as the ink is dry. The following week is fine.

+1

Agree this is the best approach. Another option would be for her to drop the car off at your house. Maybe give her an extra $100 for the trouble.