I realize part of (all of?) this was probably covered in topics/posts not all that long ago, but I'm just looking for short/quick answers to a few questions.
I live in Tn. but have property in Fl. I'm considering buying a used car in Fl. the next time I'm down there. What's involved with getting it off the lot as far as getting a temp. tag? Can I buy in Fl. and drive on some kind of temp. tag back to Tn. and then register it there? Will buying a car from a private seller make this harder? Will I wind up paying "double sales taxes" or will Fl. allow me to drive out of state before car is registered by me?
Great, this is already sounding like a royal pain.
Dealers can generate temporary tags. Private sellers, however... When I purchased the motorcycle, the previous owner said I could have the plate. This seemed to be of dubious legality, but I rode conservatively and crossed my fingers.
Here is a relevant line I found on the Florida DMV website: "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 that serves your area."
Which is a pain if you want to purchase a vehicle outside of 9-5, M-F.
Buy the car, do the paperwork and register it in Tenn. When you go to pick it up bring plates with you.
Wait, in Fla. don't the plates stay on the car?
I bought my ZX2 from Entropyman in FL via the grm $2k9 classifieds. (I flew down from OH and drove it back)
The following applied to a private seller transaction in November 2009:
We went to the title bureau/DMV whatever they call it down there.
He signed the title over to me, we did a bill of sale and had it notarized too I think.
The same person at the DMV sold me a temp tag for me to drive with till I got back to OH to transfer the title/my tags. I already had insurance for the ZX2 and I think I was asked to show it. I did pay FL tax in FL.
When I went to transfer the title in OH they wanted me to pay the full OH tax. The kind civil servant in FL had informed me that I should only have to pay the difference in tax when I registered in OH. After calling a supervisor, the less kind civil servant in OH came to the same conclusion so I was not taxed fully twice on the purchase price of the car.
You should also check with your "home" state.
(I live in VA, bought in MD).
On the Virginia DMV you can print out a "transit tag" that was good for (IIRC) 5 days or so for $15 bucks. That, plus the title from the seller got me my VA registration...
That way you don't have to mess around with 2 DMVs, or sales tax issues etc...
In Soviet Florida, tag stays with driver, not car. You should be able to get a trip permit from Tennessee to bring with you.
