Options for driving car cross-country without plates?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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...

[Simon S]

[Rsully70sev]

Swapping the plates off another car is a felony, so probably don't want to do that.

[slammin.e28]

Va will actually sell you ($5 or $10, can't remember) a temporary tag to get it home if you are a resident. Only good for like a week or something. I've used it twice now. Maybe your state has something similar?

$15, you get 3 days from the day it was filled out, and you have to have a bill of sale with the title.

I did this and got yanked when a fuse blew and my taillight went dark. Dickheads didn't even know what the paper was, threatened to take me to jail for a stolen car, etc, etc. Cops were on the phone with PA etc, etc. One guy was a dick, the other nice. I had to explain to them what the paper was, where I got it, etc.

Seriously cops, know your fucking job.

I also had the plate from my old 325i on the new 325i 'vert I'd just bought. Woulda made it home no problem but that fucking fuse blew. Figured it was better to have a plate there rather than get stopped multiple times by dicks who wouldn't know what a trip permit was. Worked great....except for that fuse.

[MaksV]

Every state has temp tags. In texas its $30 for a month. Get a tag before you leave, and put it on and drive home.

[Tanktheory]

It was already said but I'll reiterate..

MISUSE OF PLATES IS A FELONY
Just don't use plates or do the 'tags applied for'. Keep the bill of sale and title with you in the car. You should be good.

[tH16]

Bill of sale and title, drive that bitch home.

[dannyyisntt]

Gun it and hope for the best

[mikeedler]

Maybe I've been in Europe too long, but don't you also need insurance??????????????
WTF is a piece of paper with a lie saying tags applied for....... gonna do- nothing is applied for, you just bought it.

I would say get insurance with the VIN nr. and some temp tags, or tow it. Just think if you kill someone on your way home-- even if it isn't your fault- with no insurance in an unregistered car!

[slammin.e28]

Maybe I've been in Europe too long, but don't you also need insurance??????????????
WTF is a piece of paper with a lie saying tags applied for....... gonna do- nothing is applied for, you just bought it.

I would say get insurance with the VIN nr. and some temp tags, or tow it. Just think if you kill someone on your way home-- even if it isn't your fault- with no insurance in an unregistered car!

Most insurance companies will cover you for a short period after you make the initial purchase of the car, at least that's how mine is. Just like if I'm in someone else's vehicle I'm covered. Basically the same thing, as it's not your car until you get the title transferred.