Out of state car to NJ (registration, etc.) | FerrariChat
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Out of state car to NJ (registration, etc.)

Discussion in 'New York Tri-State' started by arnaget, Nov 7, 2006.

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  1. arnaget

    arnaget Formula Junior

    Nov 4, 2003
    553
    New York
    Full Name:
    Jason
    #1 arnaget, Nov 7, 2006
    Can someone fill me in on the procedures regarding registration and title transfer for a car (a Lexus...nothing too exciting) that was purchased from an individual (private party, not a dealer) out of state (Massachusetts)... and needs to be transported to NJ? The DMV sites I've checked seem to be lacking this scenario (they'll have info on buying a used car in state, and doing registration for the same state). Your help is much appreciated...

    Also, any nuances surrounding the legality of driving the car down -- what do I need to have besides insurance, bill of sale / title, registration (this one seems to be the sucker).. temporary tags?. is it more my responsibility to deal with the paperwork for all of this stuff, or the seller's?
     
  2. Ronbo

    Ronbo Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2005
    413
    Morris County, NJ
    Full Name:
    Ron
    #2 Ronbo, Nov 8, 2006
    I recently bought a car ('76 M-B 450SL, yawn) in NY and brought it to NJ. Arranged for insurance pre-purchase, then drove to NJ on seller's plates. Registered car in NJ with (a) title signed by seller, (b) proof of insurance, (c) proof of identity. I had a separate bill of sale but didn't need it. Received NJ plates and placard for windscreen giving me 30 days to have the car inspected. Mailed the NY plates back to seller.

    Note:
    (1) Different states handle title differently. NY uses (or at least used to use) a separate title document. Same for NJ. Other states transfer ownership by endorsement of the registration. Don't know what Mass. does, but NJ recognizes Mass. procedures so just do whatever the rules provide.
    (2) I knew the seller so using the old plates was not a problem. No idea what happens if a stranger is uncomfortable with that, but it would be a Mass. not NJ issue.
    (3) I had to ask a dealer how to do this, because - as you found - the otherwise comprehensive NJ web site doesn't make it clear at all.

    Best of luck,

    Ron
     
  3. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,855
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    #3 FasterIsBetter, Nov 8, 2006
    What Ron suggests is a good way to do it. Make sure you have your insurance company on board and have at least a temporary insurance card in hand (original, not a faxed or photocopy version). If the seller will let you use his plates, be sure you have the signed title document(s) and the seller's registration, drive the car to NJ. Send seller his plates and registration. Take the title document and other papers you will need to MVC office, and get new title and register the car, pick up new plates. That's it. Just be sure the title is filled out properly, showing actual mileage from the odometer. If the title does not provide a place for the amount of the sale, you should get a separate bill of sale, signed by the seller, confirming the amount you paid. You will have to pay NJ sales tax based on that number (now 7%, of course -- thank you, Mr. Corzine).

    The biggest pain in the backside these days in having the proof of identity papers with you. Check the MVC website before you go down and make sure you've got enough proof to satisfy them.

    BTW, if the seller does not want you driving on his plates, you will have to register the car before hand. I'm not sure if the Mass. DMV will issue a temporary out-of-state plate to allow you to drive the car to NJ, but you should be able to find out on their website.
     
  4. arnaget

    arnaget Formula Junior

    Nov 4, 2003
    553
    New York
    Full Name:
    Jason
    #4 arnaget, Nov 8, 2006
    Firstly, thanks for both of your replies -- it turns out that Massachusetts DMV (they go by "RMV" for whatever reason) does not issue temporary plates or permits. the only workaround is to, unbelievably enough, register the car there, even if you are not a state resident, and pay MA sales tax. they will issue you MA plates. then drive the car back to NJ, and re-register. (what a pain?!). and NJ sales tax of the spread (7%-5% for cars in MA) of 2% is then due. plus miscellaneous little fees here and there for new plates, etc. doesn't really sound worth it, right?

    what a crock -- i don't believe they make it this difficult. Anyway, in calls to the NJ DMV, they have confirmed that the above situation could work. However, they also said one option I have is to gather all the paperwork (title, bill of sale), show up at the NJ DMV, register there, pay sales tax... and they will give me the plates, which I can then bring up to MA and attach to the car.

    The scenario where the seller lets me borrow his plates and registration would be ideal and convenient -- but he would need a pretty good comfort level for that, and I am not sure if he would buy into it. Plus, can I obtain temp insurance for this drive easily? If I have a preexisting insurance card, is this enough?..
     
  5. G-Gore

    G-Gore Formula Junior

    Jun 13, 2004
    597
    Lyndhurst, NJ
    Full Name:
    Lukas
    #5 G-Gore, Nov 8, 2006
    I bought my last 2 cars from outside NJ - one was in NY other from Missisipi (sp?). Hopefully the Miss car was already here in NJ so the seller let me drive the car with his plates on and his insurance card which I mailed back very next day. With NY car the seller drove with me to drop off the car and I drove him back home after (and he took his plates).

    Other option is to buy a car, get the paperwork mailed and have a car registered here - you don't need insurance card for that particular car - as long as the car is added to your policy you can use any vehicle card in case of PD inspection. Then drive it back to NJ with your new and own and pernament plates.

    It's fairly simple just takes a lot of driving :)

    Ohh... other good thing - to register a car it takes only 15 mins at DMV. I managed to register both cars on my way to work - showed up at 8am, filled up all forms, let the girl process all while you wait at the window, plates are picked up right away. And you can pay with Visa and MC now too :)
     
  6. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,855
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    #6 FasterIsBetter, Nov 9, 2006
    There is yet another option -- rent or borrow a trailer and go pick it up. I have done that twice with vintage cars. If you have a friend with a tow vehicle, you can rent a car carrier from U-haul for the day, drive up and get the car. Then you can register it at home and be done with it. Otherwise, do what NJMVC suggested. Get all the paperwork, register the car here, take the plates up, and pick up the car and drive it home.

    As for insurance, if you call your agent, tell him/her that you just bought a car, give necessary info, they can put the car on your insurance policy and issue you a temporary card right on the spot. Then, even if you are driving the car home on the seller's plates, you have insurance in case something happens.

    This ain't that hard to work out. Multiple ways to get it done, and all of the work.
     
  7. BMoney5327

    BMoney5327 Karting

    Mar 15, 2006
    154
    Piscataway,NJ
    Full Name:
    Bruce
    #7 BMoney5327, Nov 10, 2006
    I brought cars from NY..drove em back to NJ with my license plates on it(from my car)..no insurance,registration,wrong inspection..Just had the title signed ova to me...riskin it...but i wouldnt do that if i was you..i just took a chance and got lucky i didnt get caught..but neva again lolz
     

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