The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Transporting a newly purchased truck

My son just bought a truck in Florida. We live in South Carolina and are flying down to drive it home. Unfortunately, my son had difficulty with the funds transfer so he was unable to get tags at our DMV. He tried to get temporary tags, but the person at the SC DMV said he had to get Florida temporary tags...but we don't live in Florida. They then said the temporary tags are only good in the state issued. I have some old trucks and cars with current tags and registration. So, we could use an existing tag or make our own temporary tag. What would you do?

Just don't want to get pulled over and have trouble with the police. Of course we will drive cautiously.

thanks

I’ve never had a problem driving a newly purchased used vehicle if I have a proper bill-of-sale, that being one signed by the seller and a witness and me which declares the vin number, date, price and is notorized. This along with a signed/dated title has always worked. Of course when one gets away from the bread basket parts of the country and on either coast things can get pretty goofy. If concerned just call the appropriate jurisdictions (State Police and or revenue departments).

See if your state offers a “one way trip permit”. Virginia does, can purchase online for about $5 and print it. Good for one trip from purchasing vehicle wherever and straight home, within a few days window. You can even purchase one without first buying the vehicle, just in case you do buy the vehicle and want to drive home.
You need insurance as well.

See if your state has a similar permit.

If FL is a state that lets the buyer have the license plate or you just take the plate, you should be OK. No plate or paper plate, not good. Plan B, have the seller get a 3 day or whatever FL has, slap it on good and go. At least you would be doing the best you could. MAKE SURE you have the title and bill of sale with you. The phone number and name of seller so if a cop wants to call they can. Get insurance ahead of time and make sure it has towing.

I'd very much prefer to have to explain a "no plate" situation than try to justify a "wrong plate" in case of a minor fender bender or even a random stop by a cop who just wants to take a close look at an older vehicle. Back when I drove a restored 47 Mercury convertible in my college days, I got stopped all the time for a "vehicle inspection". Those guys loved the Offenhauser finned aluminum cylinder heads!
Jerry

As soon as you put the wrong tag on the truck you are knowingly doing something wrong and everyone will start looking deeper to see what else is not right.

Rent a U-Haul truck and trailer and tow it home...it's way cheaper than fines and court costs!

Mike B

If the vehicle is licensed for the road presently, it can be driven out of state with a bill of sale, no problem.
Switching plates will get you hauled in and arrested, why would you even contemplate that?

Where did switching plates get mentioned?
OK, I see the original post. No! that is what you don't want to do. You MUST have a true honest innocent story whatever it is, and it's not "I'm using a plate off another vehicle officer". That is evidence to commit a fraud. Bad JuJu. Every state has provisions for this situation. You are not the first guy who bought a FL vehicle and wants to drive it to another state. Ask FL what they want.

I always get confused with the word "TAG". We have license plates with a small expiration tag in the upper corner. I guess some people are calling a plate...a tag.

Larry,
Florida does have temporary tags legal for use to transport a car back to your home state. They require proof of insurance and the tax that the home state would collect, be paid. It doesn't say if they are collecting that or you need proof that its been paid back home. Kind of screwy. I would suggest you find out what the closest Florida DMV office is to the new truck and contact them with questions. or maybe the seller can help.

Thanks a bunch guys, you all always come through with a host of information.
The idea of putting on a tag from another vehicle was just to avoid getting stopped, blending in with all the other cars so to speak, but I see y'alls point about fraud and not good. I sent your idea about a FL temporary being a good option to my son. I assume he will contact the current owner to see if he can get one today. We will get to Tampa tonight, so picking the car up Sunday - no DMV open.

Thanks again, I'll let y'all know how it works out. Fingers crossed.

Once you get it home post some photos.