Buying a car from out of state

[pnosker]

I've never done this before, but I very well may end up buying a car from Ohio and driving it back to my home in NJ. What do I have to do in order to do this?

I know some states (NY) offer temporary plates valid for a week or so. Does Ohio have this? What do I do about insurance? This all seems quite confusing... my quick internet research didn't turn up much info. I know I need the title signed over in order to do anything, but is that it? Can I call up my insurance company and get an insurance card made up before I leave? Should I just try to see if I can keep the seller's plates and insurance until I get back then mail the plates back or just let the registration expire?

Who's done this before? Please help!

[lazoh]

Ok Pat, in regards to your insurance you have 30 days to call your insurance agent/company to advise them that you just purchased a new/used vehicle. Now that applies to California, so I recommend that you call your insurance agent/company and ask them if it's the same in NJ.

I don't know much about Ohio plates law but someone else from Ohio can chime in to let Pat know?

[thesk8nmidget]

its very simple. you get a temp plate from your state. (NJ) they usually will sell 1 day trip plates or month long temp plates. they are relatively cheap i think mine was 30 dollars for the month. also some states require you to insure the car before they will give you a temp plate so you simple add the car to the insurance and either print out the proof of insurance or click the fax option and then they will fax a copy of it over.

but what you have confused is you dont get the plate stuff from ohio you get it from your home state.

some states also require a state tax collector to sign off on it before it is legit.

i know PA is that way but Oregon wasnt so i would check in on that. the best way to answer all your questions would be to look on your states DMV site and if that doesnt answer everything give them a call.

it is confusing though i think i spent a good amount of time on the site and then finally had to call to make sure of a few things.

[pnosker]

That's what I thought, but when I searched, NJ's MVC site only had this: http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Vehicle/T...gistration.htm

That is only valid for non-residents. Ohio doesn't seem to have anything identical to it.

[1996 328ti]

And when I bought my car from Florida I did not have the correct bill of sale.
MD required their own bill of sale.
I was fortunate that the previous owner let me drive the car home with his plates.

[96cali]

pnosker- where is the car? I can help if its in cleveland or cincinnati. I know good independent mechs.

IIRC as a resident of Ohio when I bought my car in Illinois, I brought my own plates and put them on the car and drove home. I could have purchased a temp travel plate good for 7 days but that seemed like a PITA and $$ wasted for a 5 hour drive.

[pnosker]

The car is in the Columbus region, but I know the car's history pretty well and I have no doubt the previous owner took great care of it. I have some family in Cinci so maybe I'll drive a little further and see them while I'm out there. I think I'll ask to see if I can drive it with their plates/insurance back then swap here in NJ.

[1996 328ti]

I don't know about a car from Ohio.
Whenever I go to Mid-Ohio I'm amazed at all the rust on those cars on the way.
They must use the most corrosive salt known to man.
Not sure what even holds them together.

[thesk8nmidget]

i would say talk to the previous owner and see if they will let you use the plates just for the drive and then agree to mail him the plates back if he wants. you can even just add the car to your insurance and let him not worry about that.