Buying a used car, out of state, that was titled in NC

[arbyunc]

Originally Posted by NewUser

Update. I called the DMV on Monday and they said that I would have to get the signed and notarized title, bring it to the DMV, and they could give me a new plate. When I explained that that the seller is in MA and will not send me the title until I pay for the car, and I would not pay for the car without seeing it or getting the title, we were stuck.

Until she said. . . . Shhh. We don't like to advertise this, but you can take a plate off one of your exiting cars, put it on the purchased car, and use that to drive home.

Just curious, did you call the actual DMV office, or was it one of the independent license plate agency offices? Regardless, you should take what they say with a huge grain of salt, as it appears they are either ignorant of the law, or worse, they are condoning an illegal activity. NC G.S. 20-111(3) is quite clear on this:

The giving, lending, or borrowing of a license plate for the purpose of using same on some motor vehicle other than that for which issued shall make the giver, lender, or borrower guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. Where license plate is found being improperly used, such plate or plates shall be revoked or canceled, and new license plates must be purchased before further operation of the motor vehicle.

I agree that it should be easier to handle a situation like this. NC does offer a temporary transport tag for vehicles purchased in NC, but NC doesn't issue them for vehicles purchased out of state. If you are purchasing in a state that doesn't issue temporary tags, you're just SOL. Still, I think I would incur the expense of renting a tow trailer rather than risking a ticket, fines/court costs, and revocation of the plate.

[NewUser]

Well, in any event, this discussion is moot as the seller and I could not reach an agreement on price. But. . . .I have learned a lot as a result of this question.