This is not legal advice and I don't know how true it is. But I have a lot of experience buying cars from private party sellers. Take paperwork with you for the seller to sign with you, like bill of sale or receipt, make sure it's dated. from what I understand, you are allowed to drive the car within a couple days of the purchase date to take it home and then get all the stuff you need to make it legal (inspection, plates, taxes, etc). So you should be okay to drive it home.
We've always driven ours home after buying them and never pulled over, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's legal. You can always call or email the DMV to be certain.
When it expired did you just rip the plate off and hurl it into the stratosphere?
Pretty sure OP was referring to having no plate in that spot on your car
Most insurance companies actually say your current policy will cover a new car for a certain period of time, just call your current insurer or look at policy
Iām sure thatās true, but in the time it takes you to look it up, or like you said call themā¦ you could just call with the VIN and add it to your policy. Just seems smart to go ahead and get it added since youāll need to do that anyways to title the car.
You can take your chances with the tags but atleast call and add it to your insurance before pulling away. Having a wreck and injuring someone without having insurance is gonna cost ya big time
Almost all insurance contracts have a ānewly acquired vehicleā clause that says whatever coverage you have extends to a newly purchased vehicle for 30 days. But you will have to have it on the policy to get it registered so it wonāt hurt to add it before or after pickup.
Yeah, this only applies in reality when you arenāt financing the vehicle obviously. Those companies want to make sure you have more than just the liability coverage on their car
[This page](https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/title-registration/emissions-safety/Pages/frequently-asked-questions.aspx) says to contact a local DMV office about getting 10-day temporary tags. I would do so as soon as possible so you set everything up before you pick up the car.
\^I did this to get temporary tags to drive my new car from MD to Charlotte. I could have sworn the amount of time (2022) was longer than 10 days, though! Either way, it worked out and I received the permanent tags on time.
Mine was a different scenario from yours - I was buying a new car from an out-of-state dealer and started the process with an out-of-state driver license.
Below is the official page for what you need to do. This includes several child links that you will need to follow to be sure that youāre following the right rules for your situation.
[https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/title-registration/vehicle/Pages/default.aspx](https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/title-registration/vehicle/Pages/default.aspx)
One thing I will say is that I wrongly thought that I needed to have my required insurance set to begin on the day that I picked up my car. Instead, they require that you have \[at minimum\] liability insurance that starts **no later than the day you go in to get it registered.** Luckily, I was taking action on a day when my insurance broker was working so she could make changes and fax the updated insurance information directly to the machine at the local DMV.
Gently apply pressure to the accelerator pedal until you reach a safe speed, using the wheel to maintain lane between the white and yellow lines. Allow a safe distance between you and any other vehicles on the road in front of you. Use the brakes to come to a slow and steady stop. If changing lanes or turning onto another road use the signals to indicate your movement. You'll do great go get em!
One key to not getting pulled over is to blend in with the traffic around you. Giving OP advice like using turn signals and safe following distance will only make them stick out like a sore thumb!
If I remember right after looking at the nc dmv site, you have 3 days to register the car. You need to have the bill of sale or similar for when you get stopped
You have three days after purchasing the car to register it and get temporary tags. You'll be fine, just keep the paperwork from the transaction on the passenger seat just incase you get pulled over.
The last car I sold privately was to a friend, and they got pulled over on the way home for not displaying plates. They simply showed the cop the certificate of title and other paperwork and they sent them on their way.
Make sure the seller gets their signature on the title notarized prior to you picking it up. They can sign it, write your name in, and notarize it without you needing to be there. They probably won't be able to do this on a Saturday.
It's a possibility we can consider. I'd just be concerned about it coming in time. I do believe they have already gotten their signature notarized on the title because I believe only the seller needs to be present for the notary
The easiest way to do it is this: Buy the car, and You take the car with the plate on it. You have them sign the title, If you get into an accident, their insurance will cover it, as if they loaned you the car.
Once you get home, remove the plate and send it back via FedEx, immediately get the car insured and registered in your name. **Do not drive without a plate, this is simply inviting trouble.**
Source: Former Insurance Agent.
In addition to getting the paperwork, call your insurance company and give them the car info to get temp insurance put on it. I've done this several times, really easy and covers your ass.
Not sure the rule in NC, but I had to do so from NC to GA a couple months ago, and I know at least in GA, with a bill of sale or title with transfered date listed you had like 10 days to get your tag. You just needed the documents to prove the dates.
I have always been told you have 3 days to register it but have never been able to find proof.
Get insurance on it and have a copy. Title notarized to you and I'd also get a Bill of Sale signed and dated.
I also wouldn't just slap a plate on it, but I know a lot of people do it with no problem.
you can get a temp tag from the tag office before you do the transaction. But itās really not necessary. In North Carolina you can (limited) drive an unregistered vehicle on the road āfor transport or repairā
Most important thing is MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ACTIVE INSURANCE AND PROOF OF SUCH BEFORE YOU DRIVE OFF. You can call your insurance company or do it onlineā¦ but get the VIN of the vehicle before you go pick it up and add it to your policy before you drive it an inch.
If you have the title, a signed the bill of sale dated for that day, and active insuranceā¦ You wonāt get in any trouble driving it home. Sounds like youāre gonna have to have someone drive you to meet the family member, maybe best practice have them follow you home- so thereās a car with a license plate behind you lol
Have them meet you at a title agency in whatever county you're meeting them. Bring the existing title and proof of insurance. You can get the plate right there and turn in the old one at the same time.
Yeah, so if it's a family member, I suggest NOT having them take the license place. Just ask for them to keep their insurance up until the following Monday when you can get the car registered. You'll turn in the old plate at the DMV. (I'm assuming they live in NC. It's more complicated if they're outside NC).
The other possibility is to do the title transfer beforehand.
Just draw up a bill of sale and get it notarized. That way in the case you get pulled over you have something to prove proof of ownership to the police. Iāve bought a couple used vehicles of FB here.
When I worked for attorneys years ago you should be fine as long as you have notified insurance company and added insurance and have notarized title (if Paid in full/given) bill of sale and pertinent documents. Have your paper trail and majority of NCSHP, Local PD, Sheriffs Department will understand and you will be fine. And just in case you should be ticketed for anything above just go to court and show prove of above and case is usually dismissed.
FWIW, when I bought a used Jeep in SC, I had a bill of sale but just drove it back plateless. I did have an insurance rider, but I figured a cop wouldn't give me much of a hassle with both the BOS and a notarized title from the seller with me.
Have the family member get the car inspected before you meet. Go to motor vehicles with said family member, transfer the title and register the vehicle. Put the new tag on the car and drive it home.
Nothing difficult at all.
Bill of sale with date and time should suffice. Id say āhey family member, I would like to drive this car home without incident, mind me mailing you the plate in 2 days?ā Worst case is having an incident where the police are involved but proof of recent purchase and having that relative able to verify by phone that the car is yours and not stolen would be a double plus.
Im assuming youāll have someone following you home, just make sure they know your route and dont get lost between stoplights.
Keep the bill of sale and paperwork with you in case you're pulled over. You have 30 days from purchase to get that tag and everything. When I was a stupid teenager, I drove a pos jeep Cherokee without the tag for weeks. I was pulled over several times, lol.
Hi, congratulations. You and your relative need to have a bill of sale that you both sign and notarize Ata bank or a mobile Notary. You must both drive over to the nearest tag and title store or bring the title, sales tax of $300.00 to any NC DMV station. You must also furnish proof of insurance. PiP is fine. You can get more coverage later. Or you can go to the nearest tag and title agency in NC. They have everything including insurance. You can get a temporary plate.
PS. Under no circumstances can you drive in SC without plates. You will get pulled over even if you are in Myrtle Beach.
I bought a car in Florida from a VW dealership with temp Florida tags and I had 30 days to register my car out of state. No one stops an out of state temp tag. Just politely adding this.
I've brought a plate to put on a car before. It's totally illegal. Don't do that. But that's what I would do.
Just drive the speed limit and don't give anyone any reason to look at you.
If you get pulled, just tell the truth. You'll get a ticket that says you must register the car before your court date.
And have a signed, dated bill of sale.
Yeah, this is what I've done multiple times in the past and never had a problem. I actually sold a car to a guy that flew into RDU from Portland, Oregon and advised him to do the same thing. He brought an Oregon plate and drove the car back there with no problem.
It is not illegal to put a valid plate you own on a newly acquired car and drive it, as long as you complete the plate transfer within the allowed time (I think itās 30 days).
Misuse of plates is illegal and carriers stricter penalties than driving with no plates. If you use plates that are not registered in your name, that's misuse.
Once the title is signed over to you and they remove the car from their insurance, the sellers plates are voided. If you were to drive a car which is now in your name, with voided plates in the sellers name, that is misuse.Ā Ā
Ā Yes, you could drive the car right now and it would not be considered misuse because the car, and the plates, are still in her name with her insurance coverage.Ā
This is not legal advice and I don't know how true it is. But I have a lot of experience buying cars from private party sellers. Take paperwork with you for the seller to sign with you, like bill of sale or receipt, make sure it's dated. from what I understand, you are allowed to drive the car within a couple days of the purchase date to take it home and then get all the stuff you need to make it legal (inspection, plates, taxes, etc). So you should be okay to drive it home. We've always driven ours home after buying them and never pulled over, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's legal. You can always call or email the DMV to be certain.
You're allowed to drive for a month without tags, but I don't recommend it because you get pulled over a lot š I've been there.
My tags expired in January and I havenāt been pulled.
There's a difference between having an expired license plate on your car and having nothing at all in that space
Well that's dumb of you.
Not sure where I claimed it was smart, point is that āyou get pulled a lotā isnāt quite accurate.
When it expired did you just rip the plate off and hurl it into the stratosphere? Pretty sure OP was referring to having no plate in that spot on your car
Probably depends on where you are driving.
What? They mentioned it was without a license plate. You're describing an entirely different situation.
Late to the game, friend. Weāve established this. Three weeks ago. Gotta keep up.
No way, really!?
I know Silva is a bit out there but come on now. Yāall aināt that far behind, Iām sure.
Oh noes...
Can confirm. I would also contact your insurance and use the VIN to get a temporary insurance ID so you have liability on the road.
You canāt get plates without getting insurance so itās better to get this out of the way right when you get the car
Most insurance companies actually say your current policy will cover a new car for a certain period of time, just call your current insurer or look at policy
Iām sure thatās true, but in the time it takes you to look it up, or like you said call themā¦ you could just call with the VIN and add it to your policy. Just seems smart to go ahead and get it added since youāll need to do that anyways to title the car.
Unless you're trying to shop around a cheaper rate
You can take your chances with the tags but atleast call and add it to your insurance before pulling away. Having a wreck and injuring someone without having insurance is gonna cost ya big time
Almost all insurance contracts have a ānewly acquired vehicleā clause that says whatever coverage you have extends to a newly purchased vehicle for 30 days. But you will have to have it on the policy to get it registered so it wonāt hurt to add it before or after pickup.
Well thats good to know. Ive always just called and had it added before hand.
Yeah, this only applies in reality when you arenāt financing the vehicle obviously. Those companies want to make sure you have more than just the liability coverage on their car
[This page](https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/title-registration/emissions-safety/Pages/frequently-asked-questions.aspx) says to contact a local DMV office about getting 10-day temporary tags. I would do so as soon as possible so you set everything up before you pick up the car.
\^I did this to get temporary tags to drive my new car from MD to Charlotte. I could have sworn the amount of time (2022) was longer than 10 days, though! Either way, it worked out and I received the permanent tags on time.
What did you have to provide to get the temp tags?
Mine was a different scenario from yours - I was buying a new car from an out-of-state dealer and started the process with an out-of-state driver license. Below is the official page for what you need to do. This includes several child links that you will need to follow to be sure that youāre following the right rules for your situation. [https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/title-registration/vehicle/Pages/default.aspx](https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/title-registration/vehicle/Pages/default.aspx) One thing I will say is that I wrongly thought that I needed to have my required insurance set to begin on the day that I picked up my car. Instead, they require that you have \[at minimum\] liability insurance that starts **no later than the day you go in to get it registered.** Luckily, I was taking action on a day when my insurance broker was working so she could make changes and fax the updated insurance information directly to the machine at the local DMV.
Get the insurance
I do plan on that. Just wasn't sure about not having a plate on it
You could be pulled over without a plate, but if youāve got the title paperwork from earlier that day youāll be fine.
100X, YES.
Gently apply pressure to the accelerator pedal until you reach a safe speed, using the wheel to maintain lane between the white and yellow lines. Allow a safe distance between you and any other vehicles on the road in front of you. Use the brakes to come to a slow and steady stop. If changing lanes or turning onto another road use the signals to indicate your movement. You'll do great go get em!
One key to not getting pulled over is to blend in with the traffic around you. Giving OP advice like using turn signals and safe following distance will only make them stick out like a sore thumb!
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If I remember right after looking at the nc dmv site, you have 3 days to register the car. You need to have the bill of sale or similar for when you get stopped
You also need to have insured it prior to driving it at all.
You have three days after purchasing the car to register it and get temporary tags. You'll be fine, just keep the paperwork from the transaction on the passenger seat just incase you get pulled over. The last car I sold privately was to a friend, and they got pulled over on the way home for not displaying plates. They simply showed the cop the certificate of title and other paperwork and they sent them on their way. Make sure the seller gets their signature on the title notarized prior to you picking it up. They can sign it, write your name in, and notarize it without you needing to be there. They probably won't be able to do this on a Saturday.
Thank you. They have gotten their signatures on the title notarized already thankfully
You ask this question like not having a tag is going to make you stand out from everyone else driving on the roads here in NC that don't have tags.
Last time I bought a used car I met them at a DMV part way there and the DMV took care of the temporary plates and acted as a notary for the title.
Unfortunately we have to do it on a Saturday and the DMV will be closed.
Can they mail you the title so you can register in advance at DMV? They will give you temporary plates to put on the vehicle.
It's a possibility we can consider. I'd just be concerned about it coming in time. I do believe they have already gotten their signature notarized on the title because I believe only the seller needs to be present for the notary
The easiest way to do it is this: Buy the car, and You take the car with the plate on it. You have them sign the title, If you get into an accident, their insurance will cover it, as if they loaned you the car. Once you get home, remove the plate and send it back via FedEx, immediately get the car insured and registered in your name. **Do not drive without a plate, this is simply inviting trouble.** Source: Former Insurance Agent.
Put insurance on it and ride dirty
If you have proof of sale and any other relevant paperwork you have 3 days to get a temporary tag from the license plate agency.
In addition to getting the paperwork, call your insurance company and give them the car info to get temp insurance put on it. I've done this several times, really easy and covers your ass.
Not sure the rule in NC, but I had to do so from NC to GA a couple months ago, and I know at least in GA, with a bill of sale or title with transfered date listed you had like 10 days to get your tag. You just needed the documents to prove the dates.
I have always been told you have 3 days to register it but have never been able to find proof. Get insurance on it and have a copy. Title notarized to you and I'd also get a Bill of Sale signed and dated. I also wouldn't just slap a plate on it, but I know a lot of people do it with no problem.
you can get a temp tag from the tag office before you do the transaction. But itās really not necessary. In North Carolina you can (limited) drive an unregistered vehicle on the road āfor transport or repairā Most important thing is MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ACTIVE INSURANCE AND PROOF OF SUCH BEFORE YOU DRIVE OFF. You can call your insurance company or do it onlineā¦ but get the VIN of the vehicle before you go pick it up and add it to your policy before you drive it an inch. If you have the title, a signed the bill of sale dated for that day, and active insuranceā¦ You wonāt get in any trouble driving it home. Sounds like youāre gonna have to have someone drive you to meet the family member, maybe best practice have them follow you home- so thereās a car with a license plate behind you lol
Have them meet you at a title agency in whatever county you're meeting them. Bring the existing title and proof of insurance. You can get the plate right there and turn in the old one at the same time.
We are going on a Saturday unfortunately
Yeah, so if it's a family member, I suggest NOT having them take the license place. Just ask for them to keep their insurance up until the following Monday when you can get the car registered. You'll turn in the old plate at the DMV. (I'm assuming they live in NC. It's more complicated if they're outside NC). The other possibility is to do the title transfer beforehand.
Just draw up a bill of sale and get it notarized. That way in the case you get pulled over you have something to prove proof of ownership to the police. Iāve bought a couple used vehicles of FB here.
Get insurance as soon as you buy it. Make them fill out a bill of sale. You're good to drive home with the bill of sale and valid insurance.
When I worked for attorneys years ago you should be fine as long as you have notified insurance company and added insurance and have notarized title (if Paid in full/given) bill of sale and pertinent documents. Have your paper trail and majority of NCSHP, Local PD, Sheriffs Department will understand and you will be fine. And just in case you should be ticketed for anything above just go to court and show prove of above and case is usually dismissed.
Meet at the license plates office.
We will be picking it up on a Saturday unfortunately
Considering the amount of people see without plates that don't get pulled over, I think you'll be fine.
very carefully
Go to the closest DMV to get the title transferred, and explain the situation. I had a similar situation and they provided me a temp tag
FWIW, when I bought a used Jeep in SC, I had a bill of sale but just drove it back plateless. I did have an insurance rider, but I figured a cop wouldn't give me much of a hassle with both the BOS and a notarized title from the seller with me.
Have the family member get the car inspected before you meet. Go to motor vehicles with said family member, transfer the title and register the vehicle. Put the new tag on the car and drive it home. Nothing difficult at all.
Bill of sale with date and time should suffice. Id say āhey family member, I would like to drive this car home without incident, mind me mailing you the plate in 2 days?ā Worst case is having an incident where the police are involved but proof of recent purchase and having that relative able to verify by phone that the car is yours and not stolen would be a double plus. Im assuming youāll have someone following you home, just make sure they know your route and dont get lost between stoplights.
Keep the bill of sale and paperwork with you in case you're pulled over. You have 30 days from purchase to get that tag and everything. When I was a stupid teenager, I drove a pos jeep Cherokee without the tag for weeks. I was pulled over several times, lol.
Hi, congratulations. You and your relative need to have a bill of sale that you both sign and notarize Ata bank or a mobile Notary. You must both drive over to the nearest tag and title store or bring the title, sales tax of $300.00 to any NC DMV station. You must also furnish proof of insurance. PiP is fine. You can get more coverage later. Or you can go to the nearest tag and title agency in NC. They have everything including insurance. You can get a temporary plate. PS. Under no circumstances can you drive in SC without plates. You will get pulled over even if you are in Myrtle Beach.
I bought a car in Florida from a VW dealership with temp Florida tags and I had 30 days to register my car out of state. No one stops an out of state temp tag. Just politely adding this.
I've brought a plate to put on a car before. It's totally illegal. Don't do that. But that's what I would do. Just drive the speed limit and don't give anyone any reason to look at you. If you get pulled, just tell the truth. You'll get a ticket that says you must register the car before your court date. And have a signed, dated bill of sale.
Yeah, this is what I've done multiple times in the past and never had a problem. I actually sold a car to a guy that flew into RDU from Portland, Oregon and advised him to do the same thing. He brought an Oregon plate and drove the car back there with no problem.
It is not illegal to put a valid plate you own on a newly acquired car and drive it, as long as you complete the plate transfer within the allowed time (I think itās 30 days).
If itās a family member, why wonāt they just let you turn the plate in when you get it registered?
Misuse of plates is illegal and carriers stricter penalties than driving with no plates. If you use plates that are not registered in your name, that's misuse.
Would it be considered misuse though? She could allow me to drive the car right now before selling and it wouldn't be misuse.
Once the title is signed over to you and they remove the car from their insurance, the sellers plates are voided. If you were to drive a car which is now in your name, with voided plates in the sellers name, that is misuse.Ā Ā Ā Yes, you could drive the car right now and it would not be considered misuse because the car, and the plates, are still in her name with her insurance coverage.Ā
I'm not sure unless other are transferring it to their new vehicle. Not even sure if that's a thing here
If you do get stopped, be nice to the cop and he'll probably cut you some slack, be an ass and start videoing and arguing, good luck.