Buying car out of state...
 

I'm located in MD and I'm thinking of getting an s2k out of state...Florida to be exact and was planning on driving it back. My question is, how do I get tags to bring it back? Would the MVA provide temp tags, and if so what would I need to provide them? My friend is telling me that I would need the title in hand in order to get the tags.

My buddy drove a Supra he picked up from Alabama to VA without a problem at all. In the case that you get stopped on your way back to MD, make sure you have a dated copy of the bill of sale, your license, and the title if the seller has it in hand. Or you could always swing by the FL DMV and see if you can get a temp issued.

Easiest way would be to use the seller's plates until you get home and then mail them back. Otherwise you'll need a trip registration (basically clears the car from point a to point b). This is where it's difficult. VA will not give you one. You would need one from FL. I would see if you can get one online from FL. IMO nothing at the DMV is a sure thing.

I did just sell my original car, and still have the plates to it. Would it maybe be possible to "transfer" the car over to these tags?

I just don't want to get pulled over and end up having the car towed on my way back

I had this issue as well when I bought my car from Indiana. If you have the title, you should be able to get your temp tags for the drive back. MVA is such a pain in the ass though, because they won't give you temp tags unless you have the title. I thought about using plates from my old car as well, but when I talked to some cops, they told me that if you get caught, they would definately tow your car.

Like someone said, the best thing to do is to see if you can use the seller's tags. I had to do the same. The seller wasn't comfortable with me driving back with his tags at first, but we wrote up a "contract" that stated that he was letting me use his tags, and if anything happened on the way back, as far as getting pulled over, or getting in an accident or something, it would be my responsibility.

And as someone mentioned as well, make sure you have the bill of sale, new insurance info for the car, and/or any other paperwork that shows a transfer of ownership.

What sucked is, I had to take out a loan to buy the car, and it took forever for the bank to send all the paperwork to the MVA, so that I could get my tags. It took about a month! Luckily, the seller was really understanding of the situation, and I overnighted his plates back to him when I got mine.

GL!

Titling – Vehicle Acquired from Out of State

Your best bet is to first call Florida DMV and see if they issue transport tags. Here's Florida DMV's customer service number: (850) 617-2000

You should probably just buy mine. I'm serious. It's for sale and I'm in VA.

LOL!

But yeah, if the seller is cool with you borrowing his plates, that works too. Do NOT put plates to another vehicle on the car though, that's a sure-fire way to get towed.

I would if your was GPW ;)

GPW is overrated