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Buying a car out of state, while you're out of state.
Hi!
I am currently staying with family in Pennsylvania for a while, but I'm originally from Virginia. I am in need of a used car, and for the most part what I'm seeing is good deals in Ohio, and West Virginia.
Could someone please help me out potentially understanding how I could go about buying a car from a private seller? I know I would take it back to VA within 30 days to get it inspected, registered, etc. But how do plates work when you need to cross state lines, etc?
Thank you
Rachel
I am currently staying with family in Pennsylvania for a while, but I'm originally from Virginia. I am in need of a used car, and for the most part what I'm seeing is good deals in Ohio, and West Virginia.
Could someone please help me out potentially understanding how I could go about buying a car from a private seller? I know I would take it back to VA within 30 days to get it inspected, registered, etc. But how do plates work when you need to cross state lines, etc?
Thank you
Rachel
0
Answers
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
I admire your going where the deals are.
you can always go to the VA DMV site, and if lucky, will track down the answer. or call their hotline.
but I believe you have a grace period to get it registered. Key is to call your insurance company and get it added to your policy. after that, should be able to drive it home and take care of the legal stuff there.
Like Fezo, I have had temp transport tags from an out of state dealer. But never had to find out if you could (or needed to) get one on a private sale.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I did a very similar thing as you once when my wife and I purchased our very first car (as a couple)! We came down from Alaska and were in Oregon for a week before headed to PA to get married. So, we tooled about looking at cars and found one we liked in Pasco, Washington. It was from a dealer, but they basically did the standard in-state registration process (we opted to keep the prior plates rather than being issued new ones). Then, when we made it to Alaska about six weeks later, we took our WA title to the DMV and they processed and issued our title there. The bad part, though, was that we paid to have the car processed in two separate states. AND, the only reason that we did not have to pay sales tax in WA is because they have a special exemption system there (perhaps not still?) that allowed OR and AK residents to be tax-exempt.
I know that is not the case in a lot of states: You buy it (or register it in this case) there, and you pay the tax.
In your case, since this is a private party deal, you should be able to buy it, insure it, and drive it. In the meantime, send your paperwork in to the VA DMV (you'll have to pay the fees and tax, most likely) and have them send you the new plates. I would think they should be able to give you some sort of temp tags if it requires inspection and this cannot be performed until you are again in-state. This site may be of some assistance.
Regardless of the various hurdles, I wouldn't let the specter of state lines dissuade you from buying the vehicle you want!
I've bought out of state three times and the process gets easier with each go.
Also you'll have to make sure that your state and the state you buy from have a reciprocity agreement regarding sales tax. You can't drive the car in the state you purchase it in without paying that state's sales tax--you'd have to truck it out.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S