[williamyu]

Hi everyone:

I am a Michigan resident and I plan to buy a car from a private in Chicago. I saw the car from Craiglist. What should I do to let me drive the car back to Michigan and register it here? Thank you a loooooot!

[teachbeach]

Contact or look on the Secretary of State website to find the answer to this question.

[MI-Roger]

You will need a Bill Of Sale from the Seller in Chicago, and you should carry a copy of your present auto insurance policy or a current Proof Of Insurance card from another vehicle you own too.

Michigan accepts the Bill Of Sale as a temporary registration, and the insurance document is self explanatory. Auto Insurance companies will cover a newly acquired vehicle under the terms of your present policy for a short period of time. These temporary grace periods are limited to 72 hours if I remember correctly.

You should check with the Illinois and Indiana DMVs too as you will be driving this car through their jurisdictions. Or are you using a tow dolly?

[Coldjensens]

Don't

Buy only from at least a sargeant. You cannot trust privates.

[williamyu]

Originally Posted by MI-Roger

You will need a Bill Of Sale from the Seller in Chicago, and you should carry a copy of your present auto insurance policy or a current Proof Of Insurance card from another vehicle you own too.

Michigan accepts the Bill Of Sale as a temporary registration, and the insurance document is self explanatory. Auto Insurance companies will cover a newly acquired vehicle under the terms of your present policy for a short period of time. These temporary grace periods are limited to 72 hours if I remember correctly.

You should check with the Illinois and Indiana DMVs too as you will be driving this car through their jurisdictions. Or are you using a tow dolly?

Thank you. No, I just plan to drive it back to Michigan. If I do not have a car right now, where can I buy the insurance, Chicago or Michigan?

[MI-Roger]

Originally Posted by williamyu

Thank you. No, I just plan to drive it back to Michigan. If I do not have a car right now, where can I buy the insurance, Chicago or Michigan?

Call a few local insurance agents. There may be such a thing as transit insurance for coverage just until you return to Michigan, or you may need the VIN from the seller so you can buy a standard policy now that becomes effective on the day of the sale.

Or use a tow dolly or U-Haul Auto Trailer so the vehicle is not driven on public roads until you return to Michigan and can get the proper paperwork.

[williamyu]

Originally Posted by MI-Roger

Call a few local insurance agents. There may be such a thing as transit insurance for coverage just until you return to Michigan, or you may need the VIN from the seller so you can buy a standard policy now that becomes effective on the day of the sale.

Or use a tow dolly or U-Haul Auto Trailer so the vehicle is not driven on public roads until you return to Michigan and can get the proper paperwork.

Thank you. Besides insurance, do I need to go to DMV in Chicago to register or get some permit to let me drive on the roads of both MI and IL, or just use the bill?

[MI-Roger]

Michigan allows use of the Bill Of Sale as proof of ownership for a few days after vehicle purchase. This is to allow the new owner time to properly register the car with the Secretary of State. I don't know what Illinois or Indiana require.

Every State can be different. I had a former Brother-in-law tell me that Iowa requires the car license plate transfer to the new owner at time of sale. He moved to Michigan from Iowa and made a HUGE mistake when he sold his used car here using Iowa methods. Luckily the new owner was honest and got their new license plate quickly.

[belleislerunner]

If you buy the car and just drive back with the sale papers - you shouldn't have any issues. Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill. Just don't drive 85 on 94 coming back.

[YohnCarter]

Make sure your seller will let you take the car without registering the title change. I'd never give possession while the car was still registered to me. (I'm a little overly cautious, but not uniquely so).