Buying an out of state used car. License Plate and Tag Questions? Need 2? How long do I have? (sale, insurance)

[Lamperouge]

Hey, I'm a full time college student attending school in Texas. I'm about to buy a new car and its from a private individual out of state. In her state they only have one license plate (on the back bumper).

I have a few questions.

1.) If I have a Bill of Sale, can I drive the vehicle back from her state to mine legally? I believe that she will also remove the back license plate when I go pickup the car next week. If I get pulled over, can I just show them that I just bought the car? How long do I have to get a new license plate?

2.) Since there's no front license plate, do I have to get a plate for the front? How long can I drive without a front license plate? I read that being a full time college student allows you to keep the front license plate off while you're in school, but I haven't confirmed this.

3.) The tags expire February of this year in her state. How long do I also have to get new tags? I'm not sure I can get new tags until the car is finalized in my name and I have my insurance on it. I think that process will take a while.

[piyf]

Go to her local tax office. Just signing the Title and having a Bill of Sale is not good enough. You need to fill out "their" paperwork. And they should get you a paper plate. I don't know about the state you're getting the car (just google it) but in Texas the buyer is supposed to keep the plates.

Yes you need a front plate, it's the law. Go to VatoZone and get a license plate holder.

If you get a ticket for expired tags just show the judge you got new one and it'll be dismissed. Or maybe the cop will let you go if you let him know why. Most of the time they won't waste their time writing a ticket that will most likely get dismissed.

To get all the info go to the States website on transferring/selling a car over.

[oceangaia]

Why would she remove the plates? The plates go with the car not the person. She can't use them on another car. If she just wants them as a souvenir then tell her you'll mail them to her next month, when you'll be needing to get new Texas plates. Your car needs to have valid plates on it, from one state or another, at all times.

A new resident has 30 days I believe to update DL and registration but I think just attending college allows you to continue to claim residency in your home state.

[piyf]

^^You should read up before saying that. In the state of Texas the seller has the right (and should) to keep their plates. But I have no cluse what state they are buying the car and their laws on this.

[Lamperouge]

Thanks guys for the help. Just want to make sure I'm doing everything right. There's a lien still on the title, so that complicates things a bit. If anything she said that the title would have to be mailed. Kind of scary on that part.

But the seller is in Oklahoma. She said she would remove the plates, but I guess I can ask her to keep them on if the buyer is supposed to keep them. If not, I'll inquire about getting temporary plates. Not sure whether to do that in Oklahoma or Texas though, and hopefully it doesn't cost a lot.

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by danieloneil01

^^You should read up before saying that. In the state of Texas the seller has the right (and should) to keep their plates. But I have no cluse what state they are buying the car and their laws on this.

Thanks, I did read up and have been enlightened. And may have found the op an answer. From the Texas DMV website"

Can I drive the vehicle if I'm buying from an individual (non-dealer) on a Saturday or Sunday and the seller wants to keep his/her plates?

If the seller chooses the recommended option of removing the license plates and registration sticker from the vehicle, you will need to download a Vehicle Transit Permit. This will allow you to legally drive the vehicle to the county tax office to transfer the title and obtain registration (license plates and sticker) for the vehicle or, if the county tax office is closed, to a place of your choice. This permit is valid for five calendar days and only one permit may be issued per vehicle sale.
You also have the option of moving the un-plated vehicle on a trailer (no permit required) if you need to move it prior to contacting the county.
Note: Operating a vehicle on public roadways without valid license plates and a registration sticker is against the law, and the driver is subject to fines by law enforcement.


License Plate FAQs

[Lamperouge]

Thanks Todd! Exactly what I wanted to read! Answers my question perfectly

[jgurl91509]

Hi, i recently purchased an out of state car and i was wondering how do i legally drive it back to my state with no plates? any ideas will be very helpfull... thanks.

[piyf]

Try searching for you local DMV's website.

[PRND321]

Remove the plate when you sell a car. The plate is under your name. If the person who bought the car with your plate on and go doing something crazy (traffic violation, not paying on toll roads), it can come back to you.