Purchase Out of State - drive home

[Manus99]

Hi I'm hoping someone out there has some experience in this. I live in NJ and am looking at a car in the Chicago area. I would love to fly out, purchase the car in person, and drive it home. My big hang up is I don't know how to get it home since I won't be able to register it until I have the title in hand and back in NJ. Also I am looking at a private sale, so I can't get dealer tags or anything.

Anyone know how something like this works? Thanks.

[mkPOTO]

you can put and old plate on and if you get pulled over show them the bill of sale, where are you looking? Ive looked at a lot of cars in chicago and I can help you out if you would like

[ES_TRADER]

get a clear bra first before the drive...ur front end with be trashed by the time u get home...for sure

[VSmotorsports]

Some sellers are nice enough to keep their plate on for you. That way you would be covered

[1sikbmr]

Originally Posted by vonwilbs

Transit tag from the dealer (or IL state motor vehicle) for this exact purpose. Lasts 30 days.

This.

[GreasyGinzo]

Originally Posted by richpuer

get a clear bra first before the drive...ur front end with be trashed by the time u get home...for sure

painters tape would be much easier for the trip home

[Georgeair]

Don't sweat it. If you're in a state (like AL) that has absolutely no idea what a transit tag is, just make up as nice a tag applied for sign as you can and stick it in the window for the trip. Keep the entire body of paperwork with you and you'll be fine if pulled over. Don't give any other reason to be pulled over to reduce the hassle.

And get thee to the DMV ASAP once home so you get a registration application to put with the paperwork.

[Timothy J]

Originally Posted by GreasyGinzo

painters tape would be much easier for the trip home

Agreed, totally unnecessary to clear bra.

[Mthrice]

Did a pp purchase in St. Louis and drove it back to Los Angeles. The seller signed over the title and I drove it home. The seller left the liscense plate on and I had no probs. Got pulled over in New Mexico and just showed the cop the title, no issues. Bring a radar detecter with, if car is not already equipped!! Just keep a big distance from big rigs and you should have no issues with chips, I didnt get one on the 2000 mile drive. Notify your insurance company of your plans, and they will transfer the policy so your covered on your drive home. Good luck

[cmk227]

Go to il online and get a one way permit. I would see if any
Forum member could pick you up so that he can take you to check out the car. Be careful. I would ask the seller to product Vin number and copy of title to buy ins and apply for the one way. Should cost under $50.

I don't have clear bra on mine and it fine but some people just love it. I don't like the look of the clear bra when it obvious.

GL and become to the family.

[8042]

Good luck, have fun! One watch out is the weather and tires. Not sure what the tire situation is of the car you're looking at but I wouldn't think about driving cross country without winter tires this time of year. Heck, after the 22" that we just got, you might not make it out of Chicago without the right tires.

[dhoggm3]

Transit tag for sure. You can get it at the DMV or a dealer.

[JCtx]

Summary:
-Get a transit tag from your local DMV before hand. Free in most states, or $10 at the most.
-Insure the car before hand as well.
-Check weather and make sure drive home will be safe.
-Don't forget a radar detector, some tunes, protein bars, and water (in case you get hungry/thirsty in the middle of nowhere).

Originally Posted by GreasyGinzo

painters tape would be much easier for the trip home

Yes, in retrospect I should have done that. A must if traveling in the desert southwest, where semis send pebbles of all sizes from the shoulders flying your way. My car had more chips in those 1,200 miles than most cars accumulate in their lifetimes . Good luck.