I just purchased my dad's 87 GT in Richmond, VA. I'm planning to fly out and pick it up, on May 14-16, and return to Fremont, NE with it. The last time I bought a car from out-of-state, Nebraska only req'd checking the title's history to see if it had ever been salvaged, but they didn't need to see the car. Now, before I can license it, they want to see the vehicle and verify mileage/VIN. The car's current registration, has already expired, so I cannot drive it home with his plates. My question, is what are the laws for driving a newly purchased vehicle, with only proof of ownership, and insurance? My route passes through the following states... Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. Here in Nebraska, as long as you have the bill of sale, and the title, you get 30-days to drive it, just like having in-transit stickers. Do the aforementioned states, have similar laws?

My other idea, is that I take the plates from my black 87 GT with me, and use them. Granted, it's illegal, but, as long as I don't do anything stupid to get myself pulled over, I don't think anyone would even notice, because the plates are for an 87 Fiero GT. If I did get pulled over, I would surely get two tickets, one for what I did wrong, and the other for the wrong plates, but if I don't take plates, and I get pulled over for illegally driving with no plates, what difference would it make? I'll still get a ticket one way or the other, right?

What's the concensus of the board?

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Nic
1987 GT 5-spd, 119,000+ miles,

Getting ready for the summer driving season!!!!

you can drive with out plates as long as you have a signed title with you incase you get pulled over....i drove a car from fl. to mi and thats all i was told is to have a signed title you have like 3 days to transport...put a siggn in window saying in transport

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I'd recommend driving with the expired plates and the bill of sale rather then putting the wrong plates on it. If you do get pulled over, a simple explanation should get you a pass. You might see the DMV in VA about a transit plate. We drove my wife's Honda here from Oklahoma with expired plates rather then get tags for the 3 more days before we moved. No one even blinked.

I believe the other thing that you have to have is proof of insurance.

quote Originally posted by fiero1969: you can drive with out plates as long as you have a signed title with you incase you get pulled over....i drove a car from fl. to mi and thats all i was told is to have a signed title you have like 3 days to transport...put a siggn in window saying in transport

That should work, except for one small snag... We've already filled out the title, and put the date on there as the 1st of May...

Nic

quote Originally posted by musicman_L7: That should work, except for one small snag... We've already filled out the title, and put the date on there as the 1st of May... Nic

I'm sure you can fit a one or two in there and make it for the 11th or 12th.

btw: if you wanna take a break in NW indiana, I'm not too far from all the interstates crossing in the area. PM me if you'd be interested.

I agree with riding with expired tags before the wrong plate. Although I doubt they'll check the vin on the car. if The registration says fiero, thats usually enough for them.

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Most states sell trip pernits for not too much money.

Call your state DMV. Only they can tell you what to do, each state has its own rules. Here in ohio, you can buy a 30 day temp tag with only a title or bill of sale. Or, if youve sold another car you had tagged, you can use that tag in place of the temp. Funny thing with ohio, If you buy a temp (paper) tag, you dont have to display it at all, just have it in the car

quote Originally posted by musicman_L7: That should work, except for one small snag... We've already filled out the title, and put the date on there as the 1st of May... Nic

change the 1 to whenever you leave lke the 7th or any date in the teens .....tried expired registration and got a 200 dollar ticket for my trouble thats when they told me just put a sign in the window and take the plates off

Nic, I drove my GT home from Colorado with no plates on it when I bought it. As you said, in Nebraska, all they require for the first 30 days is a bill of sale, and the signed title. I drove all the way across Colorado and Western Nebraska, drove by several State Patrolmen in both states, and only got stopped by one east of Grand Island...and when I showed him the bill of sale and title, he let me go. You might consider making up some "In Transit" signs to put in the front and rear windows, making spaces for signatures for the buyer and seller, and date of sale. If you want, stop by sometime, and I can make some up for you. One other thing....you will want to contact your insurance agent. I found out recently that in Nebraska, you have the automatic 30 day coverage ONLY if you are trading one vehicle in on another. If you're buying one outright, you're not covered. My new agent told me that the other day....good advice to have. Any questions, give me a ring.

Get a intransit sticker from the DMV where the car is it gives you 30 days to transport the car.

I'd agree with the above - make sure you have the signed title with ya. I dont know if it would be possible to get the title signed, and mailed to ya, and then you get the plate, and take it down with ya. also, every state has its own wonderful set of driving laws, so it would be very tough to give an actual correct answer. But, generally, they are pretty understanding about newly aquired vehicles.

I'd just stick some plates on it from one of you other Fieros, I drove my 85SE with my 86 coupe plates for 6 months (im lazy and broke) I got pulled over once or twice, as it gets a little loose in heavy winds, and does make the straigtest lines, but anyway, they never even blinked, its very rare fo them to check the VIN during a normal traffic stop. Plus, if you've got the excuse that you're transporting the vehicle, I doubt they'd think twice if you showed them the old title, and your out of state liscence.

Just don't drive without plates..SOMEONE'll pull you over. You probably won't get pulled ove with wrong plates unless you speed, or drive dumbly.
Good luck!!!

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OK,

DO NOT put different plates on the car. Just don't do it, it is very illegal, and the cop that pulls you over will probably think the car is stolen.

I just drove a car home from California that I bought. Had to get it back to Washington. Not as big of a trip as you will be taking, granted. My car was not registered and didn't even have plates. I purchased a 3 day trip permit from my state and taped it to the back window. Note that my permit was only legal in Washington - not Cali or Oregon. I simply figured if I got pulled over I'd play dumb ("But my DMV said to just buy this trip permit and I'd be fine!") and show him the title & bill of sale, explaining I just bought the car and am on my way home.

Thankfully I didn't get pulled over. But if I would have had the wrong plates on the thing, and I had been pulled over, nothing in the world that I could have said would have let me off the hook. Everyone knows this is illegal and there will be trouble. They might even impound the car. It's simply not worth it.

Get the trip permit, make an "in transit" sign and put them both on the back window. Have papers and documentation ready for if you get pulled over. You'll be fine.

The other idea is to get the current owner to take it down and buy current tags from his state. Might cost you $100 or something and would be a waste since you'll just have to re-register when you get home, but that's better than a ticket (or two, or three...). I would have done this except Cali would have required my car to be smogged first and I didn't have the time to go through all of that, nor did I want to pay for it.

Good luck.

Have your dad get you a 30 day temp paper tag from DMV. Then you have no worries...I think its like $10

Rob D.

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First: don't use different plates, it's illegal.
Second: Call your insurance agent. Most companies allow for recent purchases a wk or maybe a month until one will be charged for insurance

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quote Originally posted by madcurl: Second: Call your insurance agent. Most companies allow for recent purchases a wk or maybe a month until one will be charged for insurance

It's called a cover note and they can give you one right over the phone. Just have the car's details handy before you drive it away.

As for driving it, you could put on a set of plates from another car. as long as it is a Fiero your chances of getting into trouble are a million to one. However, if you get into an accident, you're screwed big time.

The best thing to do is call your DMV for a temporary tag. In Cali they are good for a month and they glue right into your window. It only takes a trip to the DMV and a few bucks.

well atleast your not going through Ohio. They shoot speeders on the spot.. plates don't matter, they'll shoot anyone..

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3.4 DOHC Turbo swap in progress

quote Originally posted by chester: Have your dad get you a 30 day temp paper tag from DMV. Then you have no worries...I think its like $10 Rob D.

I agree with Chester on this one. I'm getting my 2nd out of state vehicle this weekend and all I needed to do was give then the vin #, proof of insurance, and my driver license #. They should give you a temp-tag. Or like its was said get your dad to get a temp-tag. DONT DRIVE ON ANOTHER VEHICLES PLATES. You might run across that cop that caught his wife cheating on him and he wont care what kind of explanation you give him......then its to the impound yard you will go.
post back and let us knoow what you are planning to do.
Good Luck.

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Certainly, one may drive cross-country without plates. However, proper silverware is required.

Luckily you are not going through Mass. They don't recognize in-transit permits. I would check with Virginia, if they sell in-transit permits that's the best way to go. Most other states will recognize that and you would be fine. Don't whatever you do put on the wrong plates...that's going to get you a ticket for sure and possibly have you arrested for grand theft auto if they run the plates and it doesn't match the car.

if you can't get the car squeaky clean legal then I suggest don't drive it, rent a trailer and tow it home.

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quote Originally posted by Toddster: The best thing to do is call your DMV for a temporary tag. In Cali they are good for a month and they glue right into your window. It only takes a trip to the DMV and a few bucks.

Todd, the problem is, Nebraska won't provide you a temporary tag. The only way to get one is if you buy a car from a dealer. They tell you that all you have to do is carry the signed title and bill of sale with you, and if you get pulled over, you show them those items as proof of ownership and transfer. I've tried to get one several times, and have always been told this by the DMV employees. He might be able to get one through his dad in Virginia...but there's no way Nebraska will issue him one.

quote Originally posted by litespd: Todd, the problem is, Nebraska won't provide you a temporary tag. The only way to get one is if you buy a car from a dealer. They tell you that all you have to do is carry the signed title and bill of sale with you, and if you get pulled over, you show them those items as proof of ownership and transfer. I've tried to get one several times, and have always been told this by the DMV employees. He might be able to get one through his dad in Virginia...but there's no way Nebraska will issue him one.

As litespd said, I can't get one from Nebraska, and there is a small snag on my Dad's end... The car was originally registered to him, when he lived in San Diego, CA, but he moved to Virginia last summer, and those California plates expired last October. The car was in storage at the time, and he never noticed or cared. Now that I've bought the car, he's not gone to the DMV to get it switched over to Virginia plates, so I'm betting that getting a temp. tag from Virginia will be just as difficult. Currently, the plan is to try and get a temp. tag... But, I don't know if it will work. If not, I'm still not sure what I'll do.

Thank you, all for the very helpful information! I'll reply here as I determine stuff, and I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

Thanks again!

Nic

I have done this numerous times in a fiero. I even did this with a canadian fiero thru customs!!

The laws are different in every state.

First check with your DMV and see if they will give a generic form to fill out. My state does this but most do not. You will more than likely have to get a temp from the state in which the car is being sold. Also check the back of the registration from that state. Some states have you fill out the back and tape it to the inside of your rear window. If not you will need a temp from the state.

If you get pulled over, you will need:
1. temp registration
2. bill of sale
3. proof of insurance
4. a do-nut for the officer wouldn't hurt.

DO NOT PUT A PLATE FOR ANOTHER CAR ON THE NEW ONE. You can ask Mrfiero what happens when you do that..

I was with a friend in his new car that he just bought when he got puled over for speeding, the officer came up and calmly asked for the registration or bill of sale. He didn't seem to concerned about the lack of license plates, he just knew to ask for a bill of sale and proof of insurance. So i'd just go with that and not worry about it. My toughts are that your only liable to meet the requirements of the state you live in. It'd be insane for everyone to try and conform to every states laws just to drive through. So just cover the basics IMO. Bill of Sale, Proof of Insurance, signed title and your driver's license. And if your tired and want a break or need a place to stay let me know I have a spare room and I'm only about 30 minutes from I-80 near Iowa City.

Dan

I think that in NY you would be spending the evening in a JAIL...
I'm not kidding either...

I would definitely insure the vehicle before making the journey. I would think that with a signed title and bill of sale, you should be pretty safe. Definitely don't put incorrect plates on the car. It is illegal. While you might not get caught, if you did, it wouldn't be pretty. If you want to be really safe, don't go with opinions here...get it straight from the source:

Virginia: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/utilities/contact.asp

West Virginia: http://www.wvdot.com/12_contacts/12_contacts.htm

Kentucky: http://transportation.ky.gov/mvl/

Indiana: http://www.in.gov/bmv/contact/

Illinois: http://www.sos.state.il.us/contact/contact.html

Missouri: http://www.dor.mo.gov/mvdl/contact.htm

Iowa: http://www.dot.state.ia.us/mvd/index.htm

Nebraska: http://www.dmv.state.ne.us/dvr

Jst explain that you're buying a car in VA, need to drive it back to NE and are unable to license/title it in NE without an inspection. They should be able to tell you specifically their state laws regarding driving a vehicle home with a bill of sale & signed title. A few quick calls and you should have all the information you need.

If the title wasn't transferred from CA, I'd also be sure to get your dad's current address on the bill of sale. Can your dad get a 2 week temporary registration in VA? I forget if this was covered before.

I cant beleive this!!! Just yesterday morning I got pulled over for no plates. I bought my 87gt on the 24th of April and I didnt get paid again till the 3rd of May so I was going to get plates on Tuesday (yesterday). On the way to the dmv I was pulled over and he asked why I didnt have plates, I told him the po keep them. He asked if I had insurance and I said yes. Yet, he said "I'm going to tow your car, call and get a ride to work form someone!!!!) So, my car was towed and I went to the dmv later that day and bought plates and went to the court house to get the ticket removed from my name and they said nope, you must go to court. So, the 28th of May I have court and could get a fine for not having the car registered. I'm going to look up how long you have to register a vehicle from out of state.

Then, when I went to pick up my car from the tow lot ($68.50) they used my e-brake and it stuck on! I was in a white shirt and tan color pants and I had to go under the car and see what the problem was. I ended up needing to break the trim next to the e-brake and get a screwdriver in there to release the cable. So now I have ruined my clothes and had to break my cars trim. Then all of the way home my brake light was on and the little chime was going off all of the way home!!

AND to top all of this off...............I also work pt at a different Police Department!!!!!!!!!

In Dec of '03 I bought my '88 Fiero in Kansas. I live in Indy and called the DMV, no help at all, so I called the State Police and they told me that all I needed was the bill of sale for the drive home. On the drive home across I-70 Missouri State Police were the only ones to pull me over. The officer checked out my paperwork (I had the title) and I relayed the information from the Indiana State Police, he came back to the car and very politely and professionally informed me that was not the way Missouri opperated and that I could proceed but not to come back into the state with the car again untill it had plates on it.

One other thing....in some states, when you sell a car, the plates go with it. Nebraska isn't that way....the plates stay with you, and are transferred onto your new car when you license it. musicman's stepfather works at a dealership near here...I asked him if he had talked to him to see if he could get a set of Nebraska "In Transit" tags for it, and he's looking into that. I would think that would get him home. I don't see how any other state could penalize you for complying with the laws in the state that you reside, and plan on licensing the car in. Technically, he wouldn't be QUITE legal, as he purchased the car in Virginia. However, he plans on licensing it in Nebraska, and would be following the letter of the law here. I know of several people that have bought a new car, and taken it on a trip with the In Transit tags still on it, and they've never been hassled in other states.

quote Originally posted by litespd: One other thing....in some states, when you sell a car, the plates go with it. Nebraska isn't that way....the plates stay with you, and are transferred onto your new car when you license it. musicman's stepfather works at a dealership near here...I asked him if he had talked to him to see if he could get a set of Nebraska "In Transit" tags for it, and he's looking into that. I would think that would get him home. I don't see how any other state could penalize you for complying with the laws in the state that you reside, and plan on licensing the car in. Technically, he wouldn't be QUITE legal, as he purchased the car in Virginia. However, he plans on licensing it in Nebraska, and would be following the letter of the law here. I know of several people that have bought a new car, and taken it on a trip with the In Transit tags still on it, and they've never been hassled in other states.

Well, it looks like I will be able to get some "In-Transit" stickers from a local car dealership, that we can remove their name from and then write-in our names. It won't be exactly legal, and when I get near Nebraska, I'll have to remove them, because the Nebraska State Patrol will be able to tell that what I've done is incorrect, but other states won't know the difference, unless the know Nebraska's In-Transit sticker law (and know that they're only for dealerships).

So, keep me in your prayers, and if I get locked up, I'll be using the laptop to throw an emergency message up here, so that someone can bale me out! Hehehehe...

Thanks for all your help, guys!

Nic

I know you can get a one way trip permit in West Virginia so probably in VA too.

If you are coming I 64 from richmond you are welcome to stop by and strech you legs or whatever. Me and Mosh_man just live about 1.5 miles off 64 in charleston. Its always good to meet (in person) other Fiero people. MRJ lives 5 miles away he might want to meet you too. And if you need any parts (that will fit in the trunk) we probably have it.

quote Originally posted by FieroAngel: I know you can get a one way trip permit in West Virginia so probably in VA too. If you are coming I 64 from richmond you are welcome to stop by and strech you legs or whatever. Me and Mosh_man just live about 1.5 miles off 64 in charleston. Its always good to meet (in person) other Fiero people. MRJ lives 5 miles away he might want to meet you too. And if you need any parts (that will fit in the trunk) we probably have it.

Yeah, VA offers that, but only to VA residents, and the car has to have been registered there at some point, which it hasn't. It's last legal registration and title are from California.

I'll be coming through Charleston on 64, after leaving Richmond around 6 am on Saturday the 15th of May. How far will I be from Richmond? I'm trying not to stop too soon, or else I won't make it all the way to St. Louis by Sat. night. But, if it's been a few hours, we may stop and grab a bite for breakfast for a half-hour, and it'd be cool to meet up with other PFF'ers. Let me know how far I'll be (time-wise) by then.

Nic

well leaving Richmond at 6 you probably have about 300 miles give or take. So probably 4-5 hours depending on how you drive.
I am from VA beach and it takes about seven hours to get there and its 100 miles from richmond. A little tip If you are coming 64 it turns into 64W/81S just past charlottsville right near Staunton. You go about 35 miles then you take an exit ramp back to 64W. Also there is a good truck stop on 64/81 called Whites truck stop. It usually has fairly cheep gas you should fill up before you get into WV. PM me for directions in charleston if you want to stop.

Angela

The other thing to do is have the seller send you the signed title. Take it to your local DMV and register it, get the plates or temp plates for your state and apply them to the car before you drive it home!

You must have some kind of temp registration along with bill of sale, proof on insurance!! Don't risk anything else!!

[This message has been edited by RossT (edited 05-07-2004).]

RossT,

We had thought of that, but as I stated Nebraska requires an inspection of the vehicle before it can be registered, so I have to get the car here first. And, they allow you to drive in Nebraska for 30 days with only the signed title, and proof of insurance, thus they have no temp. permits to offer. They only offer in-transit stickers to auto dealers.

Thanks for the input, though... But, that was my original plan, until I found out that out-of-state vehicles must be inspected. Otherwise, I would have just had it shipped to me, and saved the headaches, but I had already bought a plane ticket.

Nic

I must have missed the inspection thing! Good luck!