What needs to happen title-wise when buying a car in Florida and then taking it to Ohio. Can it be done on a weekend, or does the DMV in Florida need to be involved?
What needs to happen title-wise when buying a car in Florida and then taking it to Ohio. Can it be done on a weekend, or does the DMV in Florida need to be involved?
I like the sound of this...but I don't have the answer.
I take it the owner actually has a working title - not a salvage, or certificate of destruction? If it's a roadworthy title - just having it signed over to you (and perhaps a bill of sale) is about all you need to take to your home dmv for a new title in your name (plus fees, taxes, etc). There may be some transfer plates or something along those lines, but I've never bothered - even driving cars across country. If it's a certificate of destruction or salvage title and you're trying to convert to roadworthy - you'll need a friend in KY.
I saw that you posted and thought "Great! He's from Florida and knows what I'm trying to do, so I'm sure he'll know". 
oldtin wrote: I take it the owner actually has a working title - not a salvage, or certificate of destruction? If it's a roadworthy title - just having it signed over to you (and perhaps a bill of sale) is about all you need to take to your home dmv for a new title in your name (plus fees, taxes, etc). There may be some transfer plates or something along those lines, but I've never bothered - even driving cars across country. If it's a certificate of destruction or salvage title and you're trying to convert to roadworthy - you'll need a friend in KY.
It's clear Florida title. I do have a friend in KY, but why is that needed?
Have addresses in IL, FL & KY
For a clear title - very straightforward - get it signed over to you - have bill of sale on hand and drive it home. If it is a certificate of destruction from FL - they are very, very difficult to convert to anything - even a salvage title. KY has some provisions in their dmv code that will allow salvage and CD cars to be converted back to streetable/normal titles. Takes some time to process the paperwork, but it is possible without doing anything shady with VIN #s - carfax/history would still show it had been marked for death.
Thanks oldtin. Just so I'm clear, you are absolutely sure about the clear title?
When I did it in 08 I just got 30 day tags from the local FL license branch and along with my insurance coverage I drove it back to OH.
aussiesmg wrote: When I did it in 08 I just got 30 day tags from the local FL license branch and along with my insurance coverage I drove it back to OH.
I did the same thing in 09.
If it's a clear title, you should be fine with having it signed and notarized along with a signed/notarized bill of sale.
It seems like I travel for just about every car I buy. I have two basic concerns beyond whether the car will get me home - is it a valid/clear title and if I happen to get pulled over by the po po on the way home, do I have documents to show I have a legal right to the vehicle. Valid title is easy - vin on title should match the car/description - no liens indicated and signed by the seller in the appropriate box. I have a wallet-sized insurance card (I will have at least a binder for coverage) and just having a written bill of sale is a little extra insurance. Some DMVs have temp or transport tags but I've never worried about it.
I haven't done it from FL but I bought a car in AR and just got the title signed (I don't think a notary was required for that particular state) and got drive-out tags from the BMV. Then just transferred the title into my name in OH the usual way.
I think in FL you will need a temp tag.
I've had to have my out-of-state purchased car inspected at the local Deputy Registrar's office to get a new Ohio title. It's a simple inspection (with a fee, of course) where they check the VIN on the car against the one listed on the out-of-state title. They issued a piece of paper to take with the title to get the new title at the local DMV office.
In reply to bravenrace:
A notarized bill of sale and a signed and notarized title should meet the requirements for title transfer in just about any state.
If you're going to drive the car home, you might want/have to to get an in-transit permit from Florida do you're legally covered in case anything bad happens.
See the quote below: Non-residents also are eligible to secure a temporary license plate for "in-transit" purposes if they purchase a vehicle in Florida and want to drive it back home. However, proof of insurance (from Florida or home state) and sales tax in the amount required by the home state must be paid. If you feel you may be eligible for a temporary license plate, inquire through your local tax collector's office or the regional DMV office (http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/offices/)that serves your area.
My plan was to take plates with me to use on the way back. I know this isn't legal, but I've done it many times without incident. The plates are registered to me and one of my cars, and they are current. I'm mainly concerned about anything that may need done at the DMV in Florida, since I'll be there on the weekend and they are closed.
bravenrace wrote: My plan was to take plates with me to use on the way back. I know this isn't legal, but I've done it many times without incident. The plates are registered to me and one of my cars, and they are current. I'm mainly concerned about anything that may need done at the DMV in Florida, since I'll be there on the weekend and they are closed.
I used to do this too until a lawyer friend of mine explained that driving an unregistered car is a much more minor offense than driving a fraudulently registered car (which is how the po po views it when you just use plates from another car)
idunno. I got a ticket once for it in Ohio. It wasn't a moving violation, and I just paid a $52 fine.
rl48mini wrote: I've had to have my out-of-state purchased car inspected at the local Deputy Registrar's office to get a new Ohio title. It's a simple inspection (with a fee, of course) where they check the VIN on the car against the one listed on the out-of-state title. They issued a piece of paper to take with the title to get the new title at the local DMV office.
This is what I had to do for my out-of-state purchase. The lady at the DMV office even had me read her the VIN off of the car...
BTW, would this be a CRX by chance??
stan wrote: BTW, would this be a CRX by chance??
We'll see. 
In reply to bravenrace: At least insure the car so if you're in an accident, you're covered. When I bought my BMW in NY with plans to drive it down to NC, I was rear-ended 10 minutes after buying the car by a teenager in an SUV. They just tapped me and broke the tail light, but I had insurance on the car and the in-transit permit, so I was fully covered when the police came and started asking very pointed questions. Nobody ever thinks anything is going to go wrong until it does.
Another option (depending on how much you trust the seller, and yes, it would have to be a whole lot) is to buy the car sight unseen, have them overnight the notarized title and bill of sale to you. Then you can just plate the car in Ohio and bring the plates with you to drive it home.
I'm not trying to be a wet blanket, but a bit of preparation ahead of time can save you mega-dollars in expense down the road.
I already checked the insurance. I'm covered to bring it home.
If you know the seller you could just keep the plate that's on it and mail it back to him when you get home. Easiest legal option I think.
You'll need to log in to post.
