Southern US State Temp Plates

[redhat]

I am looking for 2014+ Escapes to replace the wife's Civic. I am finding a lot of ones fitting my criteria of under 100k (some 60-80k), 4WD/AWD and in the range of $10-13k in Southern states. The same vehicle here in Western NY can easily be $14-16k. Another benefit, besides being cheaper is a vehicle that of which has not been exposed to any salt. I can ideally get a 2-3 year old Escape, never seen salt, get it oiled at Carwell and have a pretty nice SUV.

Georgia, Florida, Texas, Missouri, etc.

I am thinking of flying down and driving a car back. Of course I'd be pretty sure on a vehicle and have the details worked out prior to travel.

I've looked up on the internet, but have come across the following (1) not all states have a DMV like NY where licensing and plates/registration are one division, (2) some state DMVs are not clear on the out-of -state use of their plate (3) some registrations are issued by the Dept of Tax -- seems like some states have motor vehicle operations a part of another department.

All in all, my research online got some answers but I am still a bit confused.

Anyone from those states? How do temp plates work? I guess I am expecting to pay a fee and be able to drive for 7/14/30 days back to NY.

Sounds fun to me actually, see some states, nice drive. Never been south of Ohio in a car.

 

[skyactiv]

My dad flew to Tampa to get a Crown Vic some years ago. Proving he had insurance was checked with scutiny. You sign a declaration in Ohio stating that you have it while you need to prove it in Florida before they will issue you a temporary tag.

 

[Leo99]

Have the dealership you'r buying from work all this paper work out for you.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Missouri: No sales tax if you take it out of state. Temp plates good for 20 or 30 days (don't remember which), generally part of the dealer transaction and dealer prints all required paperwork.

I have purchased multiple vehicles in Missouri for this reason. Because I live in a rural area, my auto sales tax is cheaper this way, as compared to a Kansas dealer who is required to collect sales tax at point of purchase, including city applicable taxes.

 

[csandste]

Dealers have 30 day paper tags in Missouri. Imagine there'd be no trouble for non residents getting one although I'd certainly check before making the trip. They will check insurance. Remember doing a purchase and plate transfer a few years ago (cash deal) and the salesman was hassling me about showing proof of insurance-- finance person finally told him he was getting temp tags confused with a plate transfer and I needed no proof. A temp tag did.

 

[redhat]

Gotcha, and I will definitely have a NY insurance card with me. I'll definitely put insurance on it before bringing something home.

Also, just read that only certain states NY has tax credit agreement with. This is good to know.

 

[zzyzzx]

Bought a car in SC and drive it back to MD with SC temporary tags.

 

[csandste]

I had the insurance changed, just no proof. My argument with the salesman was "what do you care if I total it pulling out of the lot, you've been paid." Apparently if they issue you one of their paper tags they are legally on the hook for any insurance violations.

Missouri dealers never collect sales tax-- not even for Missouri residents-- so they won't try to spring that on you.

 

[blupupher]

Texas dealers can give a temp tag good for 30 days.

If you buy from private party, you can print out a transit tag good for 5 days for free, but not sure if it will be valid for all states.
They do sell a 30 day tag for private sale for about $30 total, and it can be purchased before taking possession of the vehicle.

If it has valid plates, you should be able to just drive it home though?

 

[DuckRyder]

GA now issues unique paper tags. What I don't know is if they you work out of state...

GA dealers also have metal tags that are registered to the dealership - there are some very specific guidelines on how they can be used, but dealers have been known to allow customers traveling out of state to use them on new (or new to them) cars in the past...

You should probably get this clarified before purchase...

 

[eljefino]

NC issues 10-day tags to private party buyers of private party sales even if said buyers are from out-of-state. There's no inspection or sales tax and the plate's only $5! Drove 850 miles on mine!

The caveats are that you have to have the title fully filled out (and notarized!!!), you must have a license and a paper insurance card. They let me fax one to the DMV office though. Another time I used Staples' rent-a-computer to print one off. One time also I had to politely but firmly ask the DMV employee to double check their own rules.

My thread on the topic

 

[Nick1994]

Here in AZ you can get a 3 day registration paper plate for $1 and a 30 day for around $5. You'd want the 30 day because the 3 day is supposed to only be for driving to emissions and repair places.

Go to www.servicearizona.com and you can print one out, the car doesn't need to be in your name.

I've bought them and printed at home that way I've got temporary registration for the car when I go pick the car up.

That website above is AZ's official registration renewal and driver's license site.