Bought A Car Out Of State, Can I Drive It Home?

[schneewitchen77]

I just bought a car in NY, but I live in CT. I will pay the car at pick up, meaning I won't get the title before then! The car is currently not registered, so how do I move it from one state to the other?!
I read on the dmv website that I need to have the title and bill of sale in order to get a temporary registration. But I have to drive more than an hours to the car's location, so I don't want to drive there to pay for the car & receive these documents, then go to the dmv in CT and drive all the way back to finally pick up the car! So much back & forth will cost me days! Is there any other way of doing it?!?
What would the consequences be if I just attach the plates of an other car (maybe even old, unregistered plates?) to drive this one home? It's just an hour... And I would make sure to have insurance (since I can get that without title or registration)...
I'm thankful for any advice!!!

[jojo4]

Why don't you just tow the car?

[4eyedbuzzard]

If you just slap some plates on you could get pulled over, fined, car impounded etc for fictitious plates, no registration, etc, etc.

You could just go the legal route and get a NY interstate transit permit for $10 at a NY DMV office near where you are buying the car.

http://www.nysdmv.com/register.htm

The NYSDMV does not issue temporary registrations. The DMV issues an in-transit permit (MV-639ITP) that you can use to move a vehicle from one location in NYS to another location to register it. An in-transit permit is a paper permit that you display in the rear window of the vehicle.

The DMV issues an in-transit permit only for a vehicle that you recently purchased or received. You cannot use an in-transit permit to replace a current registration, a registration that expired within the last year, or to extend a registration. Use the current registration or renew the registration if it expired within the last year.

You cannot renew an in-transit permit. You cannot get a second in-transit permit if the first in-transit permit for your vehicle expires.

There are two types of in-transit permit:

Intrastate In-Transit Permit -- The permit is valid for 30 days and allows you to transport a vehicle from one location in NYS to another location in NYS. For example, you need an intrastate in-transit permit if you buy a vehicle from a seller in another part of NYS and you need to transport the vehicle to your home before you register it. The fee is $10.
Interstate In-Transit Permit -- The permit is valid for 30 days and allows you to transport a vehicle from New York State to another jurisdiction to register it. For example, you need an interstate in-transit permit if you buy a vehicle in NYS, but you reside in another state or you move to another state, and you plan to register the vehicle in the other state. The fee is $10. Important information for Massachusetts residents: Massachusetts (MA) does not recognize the NYS in-transit permit. According to the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles, you can receive a ticket for no registration if you use an NYS in-transit permit in MA. This also makes the insurance on the vehicle not valid. MA authorities can impound the vehicle for no valid insurance. For more information, contact the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles. [My note: No wonder everybody calls 'em Massholes]

To apply for an intrastate or interstate in-transit vehicle permit you must provide:

Proof of insurance. Normally, you must show a NYS Insurance ID Card as proof of insurance. If you use a form FS-75, FS-76 or FS-77 Insurance ID Card, you must show it to DMV within 7 days after it was prepared. This type of insurance ID card must have "in-transit" or "in-transit permit" printed or written on it, and you must provide an In-transit Cancellation Authorization form (this is not a DMV form) from the insurance agent or broker who prepared the card.

If you are not a resident of NYS and you apply for an interstate in-transit permit, you can provide a letter or an insurance binder from an out-of-state insurance company, agent or broker instead of a NYS Insurance ID Card. The DMV cannot accept a letter or insurance binder for a resident of NYS.

A letter must be on the company, agent or broker letterhead. The letter must contain all of the following information:

the name and address of the agent, broker, or producer
the name of the insurance company,
the policy number and expiration date,
the effective date of the policy,
the name and address of the insured person,
information about your vehicle that includes the VIN, make, and model.
If the document is an insurance binder, the "Automobile Liability" section in the center of the form must be completed and a box for "Any Auto", "All Owned Autos" or "Scheduled Autos" must be checked.

All insurance ID cards must be original documents. A letter or an insurance binder can be an original document or a fax sent to a DMV office by the insurer. Photocopies are not acceptable.

Proof of Ownership: Read the information about proof of ownership. If you apply for an interstate in-transit permit, the DMV office returns the proof of ownership after it is examined. If you apply for an intrastate in-transit permit, the DMV office keeps the proof of ownership to issue a NYS title certificate.

Proof of Identification: You must show your proof of identity and date of birth. If another person brings your application to the DMV office, that person must follow the requirements for a second party application.

Sales Tax: If the applicant for an interstate permit is a NYS resident, the applicant must provide proof of sales tax payment or purchase price and pay any tax at the DMV office.

Application Form: Complete form MV-82ITP (In-Transit Permit).

[schneewitchen77]

Thank you so much for the quick replies!!!
Unfortunately I have the same problems getting an interstate permit (not having the title - proof of ownership - or the bill of sale until I actually pick up the car, which is when I want to be ready to drive it away)!
I like the towing idea, but and researched that there are different ways of doing this... With a trailer, a tow dolly or tow bar. Is there any way I could rent that equipment anywhere?!? And is it safe to use on the highway, even if this would be my first experience towing a car?!
I guess I will have to either tow it or make two trips (which would really suck)!
Thanks again! I appreciate your advice on this!!!

[jojo4]

Thank you so much for the quick replies!!!
Unfortunately I have the same problems getting an interstate permit (not having the title - proof of ownership - or the bill of sale until I actually pick up the car, which is when I want to be ready to drive it away)!
I like the towing idea, but and researched that there are different ways of doing this... With a trailer, a tow dolly or tow bar. Is there any way I could rent that equipment anywhere?!? And is it safe to use on the highway, even if this would be my first experience towing a car?!
I guess I will have to either tow it or make two trips (which would really suck)!
Thanks again! I appreciate your advice on this!!!

Contact a provider for U-haul.

[schneewitchen77]

I had misunderstood you, 4eyedbuzzard! Your idea is perfect! That is exactly what I will do... Thanks!!!