So for those of you following my vette hunt, it looks like I've found one.
Now I have a problem I stated earlier but I thought was resolved, then turns out it's not.

The seller first told me he can get me a temporary tag down at FL but now he told me the same thing I told him EARLIER, which is that FL DMV wants taxes/title before they issue the tag. And I'm traveling down to Orlando, on 3/7 (next saturday) which DMV's will be closed.
My last solution is to use a set of plates (from a vehicle we sold and will transfer the plates to the vette). I know it is technically against the law, but I don't have any other option.

I can't possibly wire this guy tens of thousands of dollars before I even see the car. And he can't possibly mail the title to someone who hasn't paid.

My question is, if I get pulled over, and the cop wants to give me trouble, what is the worst thing that could happen? I WILL have the signed title, the signed bill of sales, proof of insurance.

Or if any of you know of any other solutions, please let me know. I want to do this as legit as possible, but I researched and kept thinking and there is no solution that comes into my mind.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I'm not too worried, just thought I'd ask for some opinions. Yes I know people do this and don't get into trouble.

 

Having the title and a bill of sale in your possession would be good enough for me. You might also want to have the seller's phone number handy so that if a police officer doubts your word, he/she can contact the seller. I wouldn't use plates from another vehicle, even if you do plan to transfer them at a later date. You should be covered under your current auto insurance policy, but I'd contact your agent to see if you need some form of documentation for mandatory proof of insurance in case you get stopped. Good luck and have a safe trip.

 

I agree with devil dog on this; have all of the information about the seller, contact info, etc with you in the event you are stopped. Perhaps have written coorespondence b/t you and FL DMV with you and that you are abiding by their laws. I know the laws in NC, but am completely ignorant of the same ones in FL.

Drive safe, below the speed limit or right at it...and you should be just fine...now if you were in NC...i could be of some assistance.

Dont forget the wave!

 

I would check with both your state dmv and floridas. I bought my vette out of state ( in P.A.) there I was able to buy a transport tag for like $10. I have also heard where some states will issue a temp tag for this purpose if you supply the vin number. One other time I bought another vette over a holiday weekend, couldn"t buy plates and drove about 300 miles home with no plates. At the time I convinced myself that none was better than running fictishous plates. Between the two dmv s you will come up with something..... good luck

 

You should be able to go to the local DMV and get a temporary transit tag to drive it home (legally) on...Make certain you have proof of insurance...

 

That's the problem. I called BOTH the Illinois and Florida DMVs. Illinois won't do it, they said they only do it for out-of-state residents (as in if they came from Indiana) and FL won't do it unless I pay taxes and have title and insurance (but they're closed on weekend).

If I could do this legally, I would. I try my best to obey laws, but sometimes these state laws are ridiculous.

Please explain what you mean by not using the 'fake plates". Isn't it more of a problem if I run with NO plates at all?

The seller suggested to make our OWN temp plates? Does that work?

And yes, I WILL have signed title, signed bill of sales, contact info of the seller, and proof of insurance.

So for you LEOs, what is the worst thing you could do?

 

For sure call you insurance company and get a proof of insurance with the VIN# of the Vette on it. Don't know for sure about the other states but here in Nevada and Cali the proof of insurance is the BIG DEAL.

Bill of sale is good.

Also if the car is now registered in Florida just drive it home with the Florida plates on it then send them back to the seller when you get home.

 

Here in NC, you wouldnt get much of a hassle out of sheriff deputy or local police...however, NCSHP...thats a different story. One gave me a ticket when i was still in law enforcement for not updating my DL; (depsite the fact i moved on a sat and got stopped on sunday and you have 60 days to update your DL here) i got it dismissed but i guess what i am saying is that it really depends on the agency and what kind of day they are having (sadly, but true!).

You will be fine bro...and dont forget the wave!

 

The worst thing that can happen is, the car gets towed, you get arrested, and you wind up paying some serious fines. Are you sure that you explained to DMV that the car would be registered in a differnt state. I understand the processing fees, but taxes. Can't you go and make the deal when DMV is opened? Have you thought about renting a trailer from Uhaul and towing the car home?

 

Is this possible at all? Would ANY LEO take it this far? That's my concern.

 

Are you serious? Driving a u-haul for almost 1000 miles towing?

I can only go on weekends.

 

I'll call the seller about that. See if I can borrow his plates.

 

As far as the plates go, I would do what Vega$Vette and pearlwhite suggested, if the seller will allow you to. That's the easiest solution to the plate problem. Just need to convince the seller that you'll return the plates to him muy pronto.

 

Odds are that unless you do something stupid or have extremely poor luck there is very little chance of being stopped.

I don't think LEOs can run plates that are issued by another state but maybe one here can provide info on that.

 

I posted in your last thread that I did just that when I bought my C5 in Tampa FL and drove it back to NY. He didn't even want the plates back. Said it wasn't required in FL. Just destroy them when you get home. No problem at all. Check into it this week.

 

I see a lot hand lettered "tag applied for" tags, and no you can't call me to come bail you out!

 

I'd be very leary of doing that. If you get stopped, you're going to have to explain to the officer why you have plates on your car that register to someone else. I'd never sell a car and let someone temporarily use my license plate(s). What if the person gets a parking ticket or decides to leave the plates on for a few extra days after he gets back? That's way too risky in my opinion. Personally, I'd be more likely to give someone a ticket for Improper Use of Registration/Fictitious Plates under those circumstances. It just seems "sneaky" to me. I think most police officers are going to realize that you just puchased the car and that you have to get it from one state to another in order to register it properly in your home state.

 

Here's your best shot as suggested by a few others: 1) get the VIN prior to going down - have something from your insurance showing proof of coverage. 2) Make sure the title is completely filled out properly. 3) If the seller has a computer, have a computer generated Bill of Sale - make sure date and VIN is on it and have both partie sign it or have one made before you go. This all that is required in many states.

I wouldn't use any other plates, In Iowa if you did would be an Aggrevated Misd - large fine / possible prison time. Too much of liability issues if in an accident.

Have a safe trip

 

Do what he said.

 

This can be tricky. Bought a car in Cali drove it straight to Vegas. The lady I bought from paid off the car at her bank when I was with her. DMV in Cali uses paperless titles unless the car goes out of state. They would not give me the paper title until I paid Cali sales tax. Asked me how I got the car to Nevada told them the truth and they said because you drove it in Cali you owe the tax.

Now the way to get around this is if the seller paid a 3rd party (even $10), say to your buddie to "deliver" the car to me at the Nevada state line I would not owe the tax because "I" did not take delivery in California.