What is the best way to get a car home from out of state?

[gbwrx]

I am going to be going to Pittsburgh next weekend to pick up that Miata. What is the best way to get the car home? I was thinking about just taking my tag and putting it on the car. I will have the title so that will show I just bought the car. I just wasn't sure if that is legal or not. And, I will be driving through VA which is a PITA state about driving. The insurance will be covered.

[thrdeye]

Technically, you are supposed to register the car in the state that you are buying it then come home to TN and transfer the registration and then you will either pay more or be given a refund based on tax amount, etc.

Of course, if you do this on a Saturday, you have no option to register it. I would just take a plate with you and drive it on back.

[TedV]

Just dontt break the law in the comunistwelth of VA

[sentrase]

I was thinking about just taking my tag and putting it on the car.

I did exactly this a week ago when I brought a car from Florida. Wasn't even my tag, but my girlfriends. Insurance is important, tag you only have to worry about when you get pulled over, which on the interstate 99% doesn't happen unless you speed.

[Oberstwill]

I WOULD NOT place a tag registered to another vehicle on the one you are bringing back. I was told by one fo Blount Counties finest years ago that it could be a felonious charge.

[sentrase]

The only other feasible option is to have the prev owner leave the PA tag on the car, but nobody ever wants that liability. In California the tag goes with the car, so they left it on when I brought the Civic back, though I still had my van's TN tag with me.

[gbwrx]

Hmmm. I am going to call the DMV and see what they say. I don't want to effff with VA.

[SilverMaxima]

Hmmm. I am going to call the DMV and see what they say. I don't want to effff with VA.

The first Limited I was ready to buy was in MO. I called their local DMV (not exactly the DMV, but the local location for the state branch responsible for taxes or something similar). With the bill of sale, proof of insurance, and title in hand from the previous owner, I could go to the office and get a temporary MO plate to drive the car back to TN. This doesn't work with every state, but it's worth a shot inquiring. Good luck!

[backpacker6]

I pretty much reckon that if I lived in Virginia I would be without a license by now.


COngrats on the car!!!! Did you get the whole package?

[EliseAutoXr]

Here's what I have done several times (I used to be an prolific EBay car buyer) ... take the VIN and car info to where you are going to get tags, ask them for tag ... a few times I have gotten a 14 day temporary tag also.

Good luck and congrats!

[Wheelman_13]

What Bradley said.

That said, some states area easier than others. There was no way I was going to get the NSX registered in my name in NY inside of a month so I took the MR2s tag and then grannied it all the way home.

[Dentspeed]

I have just kept the previous owners tag and mailed it back to them, but Brads idea sounds best.

[gbwrx]

Yeah, I like Brad's idea. I will try that out.

I didn't get the whole package. I ended up getting the SSR's with A6's on them, one set of wheels with street tires, another set with some rains, trailer, and the hitch. And of course the shocks, sway bar, and small extras such as lugnuts.

I am very excited. I would like to try to do the Chattanooga event that following Sunday, but I don't think that will happen.

[SilverMaxima]

I have just kept the previous owners tag and mailed it back to them, but Brads idea sounds best.

I forgot to mention that... That, too, is an option as well.

[gbwrx]

He didn't want to let me keep the tag or even borrow it. (which I can understand)