Car registration for a short timer (Seattle: sales, renting, buying)

[mniehaus]

I live in Seattle but plan to move to New Mexico. How do I handle car registration if i buy a car in Seattle and move to NM a few days later? Do i have to register the car in both states? Thanks

[evergraystate]

If you plan to register it in New Mexico soon after buying it new in WA state, New Mexico might want to collect sales tax from it. Check local laws there. At the very least it will need to be insured for the trip.

[pw72]

If you have an address in New Mexico, you can provide that and only New Mexico tax law and registration would apply. If you don't then your last WA address would apply. I would not recommend making up a New Mexico address or use a friends. WA goes after this type of thing.

[M3 Mitch]

Actually if you buy a car in Oregon, keep it there long enough, and *use* it there, according to an article (written by a lawyer) in Sports Car Market magazine, you can legally avoid paying the initial sales tax.

Buying a brand-new car and then taking it directly on an Interstate road trip is not the best way to break it in. Consider renting a U-haul truck, even a small one, move in that, then buy when you get to NM...