Driving Back A Southern Vehicle (Concord: sale, insurance, buying)

[Grogan14]

I'm wanting to fly down south somewhere and pick up a rust-free vehicle. Anyone know the easiest way to go about a plate for driving it back?

Could I have someone up here go to the RMV for me if I overnight mailed the bill of sale/title up to them, then have them send the plate down to me wherever I'm at? Could that even be a temp plate, and are those valid in other states?

Any help greatly appreciated!

[rscalzo]

Why would you not get a temp plate from the state of purchase.

NH DMV is going to want signatures on the registration forms from the actual owner I would imagine although you can download reg forms and send them up.


This will also be a problem:

If the vehicle was purchased through a private sale and is a titled (RSA 261:4) vehicle (1995 or newer), the properly assigned title, along with proof-of-residency, to the town or city office where you reside.

Don't know if they will accept proof of residency from anyone but the owner.


Temp plates are valid almost everywhere. Be aware that some states require insurance on the vehicle to operate in that state, MA being one of them which is probably why they don't accept NH Temp plates.

This might help..


Only one temporary plate is allowed per person, per vehicle.
Temporary plates are not recognized in the state of Massachusetts.

To obtain a 20-day temporary plate. Submit the following, along with a $10.00 fee, to the DMV, Concord, or any registration substation:

A photo ID.
Proof of residency.
Proof of ownership.
The seller’s name and address.

Only one temporary plate is allowed per person, per vehicle.
NH Temporary plates are not recognized in the state of Massachusetts.

I'm guessing you won't know if you are actually buying the vehicle until you see it in person. So you don't want to buy the vehicle and have the needed documents sent up before you left for down south. Your problem is that even if everything works fine, you are going to spend three of four days waiting for the documents to come up and back down. That is going to add to the cost of this trip greatly.

My opinion your best bet in a Temp from the state of purchase. I'm sure online info mis available.

[dognh]

If you are purchasing it from a dealer - they should set you up with a temp plate from that state.

I have purchased cars out of state before and just used that states plate until I had the car all the paperwork etc and was able to go to the DMV.

If it's a personal sale you could just slap an existing plate on the car (and hope you don't get pulled over)

[Grogan14]

I should have added that this will be a private sale, and almost certainly a vehicle over 15 years old, so not requiring a title...

[rscalzo]

slap an existing plate on the car

And run the risk of not only some significant fines but the impoundment of the vehicle and/or a license suspension. Not a good idea. Just get a temp plate from the state of purchase.

Unless this is a classic, is this much effort really worth it?