asantalucia

I am thinking of buying a car in FL and then driving it back to NC. Buying it from a private seller. What the heck do I do to drive it home since I won't have a license plate.

Also anyone in FL know what needs to be done about the title transfer? I am starting to do some research with the DMV, but was just curious if anyone has done this before and might give me a head start.

renegad44

That's a wonderful thing to do. I flew to Ohio, picked mine up and had a "get-to-know-it" ride with it back home to Mississippi. I got a temporary tag from Ohio, paid for the car there, did all the paper work, but didn't transfer ownership till I got to Mississippi.

Jewjenk

Go to the local DMV and get a TRANSPORT registration.......

This could be wrong for Florida,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,so do the simple thing and call them up, it will save you time and headache, instead of posting here and waiting for answers.

But do post the correct answer, so that others who might be from out of state and purchase in Florida will know the answer too.

Blue 92

Hmm....

HG

Yep, I would like to know. Looking at a 03 anniversary car in Florida and wondering the same thing.

Travler

I live in New Mexico. I bought my 2003 AE from a Toyota Dealer in Oxnard, CA. They told me that if I came and got it, drove it off the lot, they would have to charge me CA sales tax at 8.75 percent. Or they could ship the car to me and I could pay the New Mexico tax. New Mexico tax is 3 percent. It was half the total cost for me to have them ship the car to me by car carrier and pay the New Mexico tax than to fly to CA and drive it back to NM. Also, the dealer in CA could not issue me a temporary tag from CA. Once I took delivery of the car in NM I could not drive it until I got the Title from CA DMV so I could register it here. So once I took delivery of the car off the car carrier, it sat in the garage for two weeks while I waited for CA DMV to send me the title. My best counsel is to carefully check the DMV laws in both your state and the state you are buying the car in before you decide what to do. You might also consider what the laws are in states you will be driving through. There is no end to all the bureaucracy.

HSummer

That's what I did. I bought it in VA/DC and waited at the DMV for 2 hours for the registration. I was hoping for some sort of paper tag but I guess it's better than nothing.

jrose7004

If it has the current Florida plate on it you should be able to just drive it on home.

Kmcoldcars

I have bought 4 cars in California and drove them home to Washington State. 2 were from private parties and 2 were from dealers. All came with the Ca. plates that were on the cars when I bought them. At the dealers I paid the Ca. sales tax. When registering the cars in Wa. that tax was applied to what I owed the state of Wa. to do the registration. It is much cheaper to drive the cars home than ship them.

imavettegirl

california plates stay with car.

i do not think florida plates stay with car.

go to florida's dmv website for the correct info.

MSG C5

I always thought that if you had the bill of sale, you could simply apply and register the plates when you arrive home?

What happens when you buy a new Corvette with museum delivery? Does the dealer charge the local state tax whether you bought it in-state or online?

Blue 92

When I bought the 03 (two states away) I took a tag from my 92. Private party sale.

Came back with the title and it took about 20 minutes at the DMV to get it inspected (they read the mileage and check the VIN), pay sales tax, get an Ohio title and tag.

ljthe2nd

I bought my C3 in Fl and drove it back to Mi a few years ago. Just transfer the title into your name (any notary can do that) then go to the tag office with proof of insurance and they will issue you a temporary tag (a paper one, I can't remember if it was good for 2 weeks or 30 days). You can do it all at the tag office if the former owner doesn't mind going there with you.

3GenVettes

I've both bought and sold cars out of state. Often there is a simple transport certificate or tag that allow you to move a car you are purchasing to your home state. You would normally get that certificate from you home state DMV. When you arrive at home you need to do whatever inspections and registration procedures are required by your home state. But as has been said by others be sure to check with both your DMV and Florida's. Normally, you will pay registration and title fees to the state where you will be tagging it, not to the state where you bought it. However, as noted elsewhere CA is different on that.

Chicago1

I bought mine from Texas and drove it back to New Mexico about a 12hr drive. The previous owner let me use his plate and I just mailed it back to him no issues.

Vetteman Jack

I was in the same situation as you when I bought my '03 last September in NJ. Checked with the NJ DMV and they issued me a 20 day temp tag (cost was $5 I think) and I was able to put it on the car and drive it home. Florida should have something like that.

Munch

I don't know about Florida but here in VA you just go to the DMV website and apply for a trip permit for $5 and print it up on your computer. Good luck with your purchase.

dobewillie

Your best replies are correct check with the DMVS congrats good luck and enjoy

Jeffwilson34

when we bought our 1st (gold 86) we drove to Washington DC friom East tennessee to get it.
I called the DMV to ask about what to do and this is what I was told.
Just make sure you have the title signed and all the paperwork.
Then put a thing that says TAG applied for in the back.

You should have no problems as long as you have the title and repiept showing you just bought it. Even better if you go on a weekend when the DMV is closed.

atmsrus1

In the state of Mississippi as long as you have a bill of sale you have I think it is 10 days to get a tag. So you can actually drive it without one but you will probably get pulled over but as long as you have the bill of sale then you are good for those few days.