Options for driving car cross-country without plates?

[FunfGan]

Swapping the plates off another car is a felony, so probably don't want to do that. Most states give at least 24 hours to transport the car using just the signed title, but you should check the laws in the states you'll be going through.

I've been waiting for somebody to say this, I was shocked to see people suggestion option 2...

[BergerNJ]

bill of sale, title, and proof of insurance will get you home fine. Of course some common courtesy and respect will also go a long way. Check for temp tags from your home state for a vehicle you want out of state, should be possible.


such a pain in the ass...I hate our bloated bureaucratic bullshit of a government.

[ButtJuice]

Just get insured, keep the bill of sale handy yadda yadda and go on your merry way while driving your e30 m3.

You better post pictures!

[TimKninja]

Have atleast some kind of plate on the car.

Bill of Sale, title, get the car insured. Thats a big thing. police wont mind so much if they know the car is insured in YOUR name, and if something fucked happens. ITS INSURED.

When i bought my car I drove it on the PO's plates and shipped them back next day. When i sold my 318is to lolcantturn I let him use my plates.

[TimbyMaTombo]

I have a friend who drove from Louisiana back to Florida with a piece of cardboard saying "Tag Applied For" and never got pulled over. Could have gotten lucky though.

[TurboJake]

Write some random numbers and letters on a piece of paper and tape up in the rear window?

I did this once coming back from utah in an E30. Printed off a piece of paper with 7 boxes on it, and wrote random numbers and letters in them in red sharpie.
Got yanked in Iowa, they asked why I didn't have a license plate. I told them I had the title here (Showed it to them), and that paper was what the DMV gave me. "Officer, I was just as confused as you are now when they handed it to me. I couldn't believe that the Utah DMV would have such a flimsy and unofficial looking thing. But it is what it is. Dunno.

Let me go.

(This is heavily not advised. I'm just nice and respectful, causing police officers to let me get away with a lot)

I also later found out that Utah had a temporary tag to let you leave the state... Oops.

EDIT: Also, according to this website, you have 10 days to file the title transfer, and you can still operate on the roads. I can't find the exact law though. Check with your DMV to see what you can do..

http://www.ci.monticello.mn.us/index.asp?SEC=2ACA901E-20E3-4900-965E-1E1C612A19E2&Type=B_BASIC

If it were me, I'd make sure the title is dated correctly in the previous owners signatures ink and handwriting, get a bill of sale, and be on your merry way.

[Vivek]

I would do number 1. #2 is much less likely to get you in trouble, but you'll be in deep shit if you get caught.

[Roadsterd]

Have you confirmed this with your local dmv/dps/tax office?

Usually all you need to obtain temporary plates is proof of valid insurance on the car. After all, if you had the title in hand you would just be registering the car and getting metal plates.

You are risking a lot of headaches with either of the two options listed above.

[delatlanta1281]

bill of sale and a title. Insure it, and go. You coulf do a piece of cardboard saying tag applied for as well. doubtful a cop will write you with proof of insurance and a bill of sale,

[akorcovelos]

Swapping the plates off another car is a felony, so probably don't want to do that. Most states give at least 24 hours to transport the car using just the signed title, but you should check the laws in the states you'll be going through.

[willworkfore30s]

The ticket for using the tags from another vehicle will be worse than driving with no tags. At least this is what I have been told. I drove two e30s from the Outer Banks to Raleigh NC (about 5 hours) with no tags and had no trouble.

I have also borrowed a dealer tag from a family friend before. He said it was legal under the pretense that he was considering buying the vehicle...so its probably not totally legal but should attract less attention than no tags.

[Andy348]

Can you not ask the seller to 'borrow' the plates for the drive home and ship them back to him? Even overnighting them would only be like $40 which is significantly less than a potential ticket.

Mind you the PO might be a bit sketched out given toll fines and potential tickets

[nrubenstein]

#2 is the least bad option. Or just ship it.

[lambo]

Write some random numbers and letters on a piece of paper and tape up in the rear window?

[Simon S]

.. my new black 1988 M3 coupe..

lucky fucker !!

Option 3 - drive so fast that the cops can't catch you.

(but honestly, i'd go with #2 and behave. Should be fine)