Buying a car out of state - what about plates?

Question

I live in Ohio, and I'm going to Indiana tomorrow to buy a car, and was just wondering how I should go about getting it back to Ohio. I mean, I'm going to drive it, but I'm not sure what to do about plates. By the time we pick it up in Indiana, the title places will be closed, so we won't be able to get a temporary tag then, so I'm not really sure what to do. Should I take the tags off of the car I drive now and take them with me to put on the new car? That doesn't sound like an ideal solution, but i seem to be having trouble coming up with another..

Answer 1

Are you buying from a dealer or from a private party? I live in AZ where a dealership can give you a 90 day permit (temporary registration) until you can get your vehicle back to your registered state and pay the fees due to your DMV. I'm not to sure what would apply if you're purchasing from a private party. I would check your state's motor vehicle website for answers.

Answer 2

If you are buying from a dealership you will get temp plates to be able to drive the car. Most temps are good for 90 days. The dealership may even be able to apply for your Ohio plates so you get them in the mail. If you are buying private party then you have to go to your DMV get and temp plates there before you go and buy the car. If you put your old plates on your new car and you get pulled over you could go to jail. (Unless if you can transfer plates in Ohio, in which case the dealership you buy from should be able to transfer the plates for you)

Answer 3

I live in California and the DMV has a process for doing this.  Its called a "trip permit".  I think it costs about $15 and it allows you to drive an unlicensed car in the state for two days if I recall correctly.  I bet your state has a similar program.  Do a yahoo search for Ohio DMV trip permit and you might find exactly what you need.  Good luck.