[tigerm]

Hey folks,

Been wanting to try out an E46 for the longest time after having had three E90s. Found a nice one in LA but I'm in Chicago.

Anyone here have experience in buying a car from a different state and driving it back? Insurance is a no brainer, but what did you do plates wise?

I called LA DMV and was told that I could get a one-trip permit which was only valid in state of California so they weren't even sure if that will fly across state lines. I've got to drive it all the way to Illinois. I won't be able to get the sellers plates, nor do I want to. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

[Chihuahua]

I once bought a car in Pennsylvania when I lived in Virginia. The car had not been registered in over a year so it did not have a valid plate in any state. I went online and applied for the one time temporary transport registration with the Virginia DMV, similar to what you are describing. I then drove the car from PA to VA. Interestingly I did get stopped in Maryland by a state trooper for not displaying a license plate. I explained to him what I was doing and handed him the printed temporary registration. He gave everything back to me with no questions asked since I was legal, and I continued home. The temporary transport registration was from VA only, apparently it worked in other states because I got pulled over in MD.

Hope that helps, good luck with the car.

[2000cs]

I have done this many times. Always got a temp permit from the selling dealer for that state and was fine. For private purchase I just used the sales docs until I got it home and titled/registered. I think technically you are supposed to display a temp permit but if there is already a plate on it, that seems to be fine.

[turboawd]

you'll be alright with no plates. as long as you have the paper work from buying the car.
i drove from seattle to chicago once, and had gotten pulled over. cop thought i had drugs and searched the car, but didnt find anything. the least of his concern seemed to be the plate.

[E91WAG3N]

I've used a one way trip permit to get out of California and into Nevada with no issue. I registered with my insurance and got NV plates within a few days. Generally speaking, as long as you have insurance for the vehicle and make an attempt to have some sort of DMV documentation and intent to register when you return home, a LEO shouldn't give you a hard time.

If you're buying from a private seller and there is a California plate on the car, you can leave the plate on the vehicle. In CA, the plate is tied to the car, not the person. It's common for a used car to change hands and for the new owner to continue using the existing plate. It seems odd that a seller would not leave the plate on the car, unless it's personalized. A signed bill of sale and title transfer will insure the seller is no longer responsible for the plate beyond the transaction (i.e. if you get a parking ticket).

[uniqueMR]

I've bought cars from CA and NY and drove back to Chicago. As long as you have the proper paper work, title (if available) and insurance. You should be good!

[Supra2k6]

most states are okay with a bill of sale title and insurance.

[ted99]

Sales tax is an issue if purchasing from a licensed dealer. Dealer required to collect tax, which in theory you can credit in home state. If home state sales taxes are less, too bad. I purchased a car from an AZ dealer and drove to TX to register. To avoid paying AZ sales tax, dealer was required to file an affidavit of out of state sale notarized by a non-AZ notary. Expensive car, so dealer had a chase car with me until we crossed over into New Mexico, where it was a real expedition finding a Notary.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by ted99

Sales tax is an issue if purchasing from a licensed dealer. Dealer required to collect tax, which in theory you can credit in home state. If home state sales taxes are less, too bad. I purchased a car from an AZ dealer and drove to TX to register. To avoid paying AZ sales tax, dealer was required to file an affidavit of out of state sale notarized by a non-AZ notary. Expensive car, so dealer had a chase car with me until we crossed over into New Mexico, where it was a real expedition finding a Notary.

is that an arizona thing? if you're not titling the car in AZ, why would they collect tax?

[deaz4m]

Just got one from IL to FL last month. No issues at all as dealer provided a temp tag good for 30 days. just get insurance and paperworks for the sale. Taxes are state specific.

[ted99]

Originally Posted by turboawd

is that an arizona thing? if you're not titling the car in AZ, why would they collect tax?

I guess AZ isn't going to miss an opportunity to collect a tax

[tigerm]

Thanks for all the responses everyone! From what I've gathered it shouldn't be an issue. FL has a nice permit dedicated for driving cars back, CA one says its only valid in CA but from what I've researched so far that works so long as you've got the title and insurance on you.

[Never_Enough]

I have done it many times. I just slap a plate from a previous car on & drive it home. I do add the car to my insurance as well. Every time I try to get a transit plate, I am told we don't do that or you need the title in hand first.