Temporary tags for private sales?

[The motor guy]

So when you buy a vehicle at a dealer, they give you a paper tag. I just bought a jet ski trailer and the owner took the plate. Actually, he never even got a plate to begin with. That's probably going to come back to bite me now that I think about it. I hope I don't have to pay his late fees. Anyways, you have 30 days to get it registered I believe, but driving around with no license plate at all is just asking for the cops to ticket me on something. I'll have the bill of sale to show the cop and be like well hey I just bought this thing. Honestly, I've never asked what a private sale does about a temporary tag. I've never had it where they took the plate, but the last two things i've bought the owner took the plate because they don't want you running tolls or whatever.

 

[ctechbob]

In GA you just go to the Tag office and get one.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

What state are you in? Every state is different. For example, PA has tag agencies in sketchy strip malls (cash for gold, check cashing places, etc), or you can get a tag at an AAA office. Some states even have instant print online temp tags.

 

[The motor guy]

What state are you in? Every state is different. For example, PA has tag agencies in sketchy strip malls (cash for gold, check cashing places, etc), or you can get a tag at an AAA office. Some states even have instant print online temp tags.

Tx

 

[The motor guy]

Am I not supposed to roll around with nothing at all on there? Last time I did this i just walked out with the license plates in hand. Didnt need a temporary tag.

 

[RooflessVW]

What state are you in? Every state is different. For example, PA has tag agencies in sketchy strip malls (cash for gold, check cashing places, etc), or you can get a tag at an AAA office. Some states even have instant print online temp tags.

That's what I did when I bought my E23 in PA, so I could drive it back to NC without hassle.

 

[RooflessVW]

Am I not supposed to roll around with nothing at all on there? Last time I did this i just walked out with the license plates in hand. Didnt need a temporary tag.

I'm NC the only reason to get temp tags for a private sale is if the car won't pass inspection.

Otherwise you just get your plate after you buy it.

 

[The motor guy]

I'm NC the only reason to get temp tags for a private sale is if the car won't pass inspection.

Otherwise you just get your plate after you buy it.

Depending on where you go this could take several hours out of the day. Or it could take 10 minutes

 

[SC Maintenance]

In SC if the car is brand new, or your transferring in from out of state you end up with a temporary while I believe they search the title or something.

If you have the previous SC title, then they will hand you new plates - since i guess they know the history already.

Depending on where you go this could take several hours out of the day. Or it could take 10 minutes

Yes. Go when it takes 10 minutes.

 

[The motor guy]

In SC if the car is brand new, or your transferring in from out of state you end up with a temporary while I believe they search the title or something.

If you have the previous SC title, then they will hand you new plates - since i guess they know the history already.


Yes. Go when it takes 10 minutes.

Looks like my place down the street is open again. I thought they were closed. I think a ton of people dont know about it and I aint telling no one where its at

 

[SC Maintenance]

Looks like my place down the street is open again. I thought they were closed. I think a ton of people dont know about it and I aint telling no one where its at

Middle of the month is good. Right at the end everyone with expiring things show up. First week of the month all the people who had something expire already are there.

In line before they open is usually good also.

 

[The motor guy]

Middle of the month is good. Right at the end everyone with expiring things show up. First week of the month all the people who had something expire already are there.

In line before they open is usually good also.

Idk. I never seem to time it good.

 

[clinebarger]

Middle of the month is good. Right at the end everyone with expiring things show up. First week of the month all the people who had something expire already are there.

In line before they open is usually good also.

No such thing in DFW, They are buried open to close. I find going to the main tax office in downtown Ft. Worth is best as there is no parking lot & street parking is limited with all the courthouses around. I have the wife drop me off. Same building where I pay property taxes & there's never a line for that. All the other sub tax offices in the county you have to wait with all the people doing title transfers/registration renewals.

I have a feeling Houston is similar.

 

[The motor guy]

No such thing in DFW, They are buried open to close. I find going to the main tax office in downtown Ft. Worth is best as there is no parking lot & street parking is limited with all the courthouses around. I have the wife drop me off. Same building where I pay property taxes & there's never a line for that. All the other sub tax offices in the county you have to wait with all the people doing title transfers/registration renewals.

I have a feeling Houston is similar.

It is. Everyone thinks arriving at 7am sharp is the best way, but the problem is that's what everyone does, so really it's the worst time. I think it was like 3:30 in the afternoon the last time I went to this place in my small town and there was ONE lady in line lol. I waited maybe 5 minutes and she gave me a transfer form to fill out and there still wasn't anyone in line once I was done filling out the form.

 

[jws926]

I got lucky, when I bought my van ( private party but from a guy owned a small dealer) it took me maybe 30 minutes to not only take it thru emissions but to get the title switched over and it get registered, in AZ you get temp tags but I got my plate in a week. The guy I bought it from went with me to emissions and the 3rd party DMV as we used his dealer tag.

 

[The_Jeff]

If it's a trailer you're registering and you run into snags try getting a Maine plate instead. You can do it mail order and it's super cheap. Look at all the semi trailers with Maine plates, I assure you they aren't all from around here.

 

[The motor guy]

If it's a trailer you're registering and you run into snags try getting a Maine plate instead. You can do it mail order and it's super cheap. Look at all the semi trailers with Maine plates, I assure you they aren't all from around here.

You usually have to have a residing address in the state that you apply for the registration. Is that not the case for maine?

 

[racer12306]

You usually have to have a residing address in the state that you apply for the registration. Is that not the case for maine?

No, Maine has their own special rules and residency is not a requirement. It's really straight forward as long as you have the appropriate documentation.

There's a couple other states that don't require residency as well. I feel like someone I know has a car registered in South Dakota because of no emissions and no residency.


To add to the mix of state laws, I believe there's a state, somewhere in New England maybe, where you can throw any valid tag on a car to get it home and it's kosher. Something I heard, no evidence personally.

 

[andrew_j]

Glad you sorted! Some states like MA temp plates do not exist. Others like NH they can be issued by a selling dealer or head to local DMV and pay $10 and you have 20 days for inspection until that is lifted.

 

[John105]

In Phila you just print a permanent one either at home or at Staples. Or just leave the area where the plate goes empty.