Driving car home in MA after purchase (sale, insurance)

[amazinmets73]

I'm purchasing a car from a private seller in MA next week. I live an hour away. Is it ok to throw old plates on it to drive home?

[bostongymjunkie]

Old plates? Not unless you want to risk being charged with several criminal violations as well as potentially a crash without insurance coverage. Under some conditions you may have 7 days to use your currently registered and insured plates with a bill of sale (if you have them and if you actually traded a registered vehicle) but be sure to consult with the RMV or insurance agent for specifics about your situation. That's a long drive. You're much better off registering it before picking it up.

[amazinmets73]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

Old plates? Not unless you want to risk being charged with several criminal violations as well as potentially a crash without insurance coverage. Under some conditions you may have 7 days to use your currently registered and insured plates with a bill of sale (if you have them and if you actually traded a registered vehicle) but be sure to consult with the RMV or insurance agent for specifics about your situation. That's a long drive. You're much better off registering it before picking it up.

How can I register it before picking it up?

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by amazinmets73

How can I register it before picking it up?

Bring title, bill of sale and proof of insurance to RMV, you can do that prior to picking up the vehicle.

[CaseyB]

My husband actually made our youngest drive from home here back to her college in SC on a car with old plates. I was shaking all day. She made it.

[bostongymjunkie]

Yikes

[Driver 47]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Bring title, bill of sale and proof of insurance to RMV, you can do that prior to picking up the vehicle.

That's how it's done.

I lived in Massatwosheets for close to twenty years. One day I got a call from a friend who had been arrested because because it was discovered his insurance had lapsed when he rolled through a traffic light.

[amazinmets73]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

My husband actually made our youngest drive from home here back to her college in SC on a car with old plates. I was shaking all day. She made it.

Jesus. I had to drive from New Haven to Norwich and my heart was in my throat the entire time. I can't even imagine

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

Old plates? Not unless you want to risk being charged with several criminal violations as well as potentially a crash without insurance coverage. Under some conditions you may have 7 days to use your currently registered and insured plates with a bill of sale (if you have them and if you actually traded a registered vehicle) but be sure to consult with the RMV or insurance agent for specifics about your situation. That's a long drive. You're much better off registering it before picking it up.

You have 7 days if you trade the car. You just need to call your insurance company to move the insurance and have them email you the registration form with their stamp on it.

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

You have 7 days if you trade the car. You just need to call your insurance company to move the insurance and have them email you the registration form with their stamp on it.

Oh great, but that's exactly what I wrote.