(USA) If I'm a resident in one state, and I buy a vehicle in another state, what do I need to do to bring it home?
Posted by SpectrumSense@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 15 comments
Currently in North Carolina and I'm looking for a cheap vehicle. Wondering what all I need to do to take it to Pennsylvania.
For context, I'm a Marine separating from the service and I just spent 3 years overseas, so I'm basically starting fresh. I'll probably be back in Pennsylvania within a week or so but there are people selling cheap trucks around Camp Lejeune all the time, and NC has cheaper sales taxes for cars.
I'm still a Pennsylvania resident, and if nothing else I can just fly home and buy a car there.
Ponklemoose@reddit
I varies by state, but PA will probably want sales tax when you register it. There are generally exceptions for cars you owned for a while before moving and for guys separating from the service. You’ll need to do a little research.
robertva1@reddit
Call the pa dmv and ask what is required fir a transportation permit
Caseytracey@reddit
Your state may require an inspection to make sure it’s the car on the paperwork, and you will have to pay sales tax, if your state has one but it’s easy
Don_Train@reddit
Rah Devil, long winded but probably worth the read. Something to look into is what all goes into your insurance policy based on location. I’m in Colorado because my wife is still active but our home state is Florida. Since I still have a Florida license and therefore residency, I registered and got plates in Florida. Which meant I kept Florida insurance until I got in an accident and GEICO updated my address. The change in location caused my monthly bill to double(separate to the extra 60 or so increase from the accident) and I lost the ability to get free windshield replacements($500 deductible here and lots of hail storms). With that big of a financial difference, if it applies to NC vs PA too, it could be to the benefit of your wallet to do NC everything until you need to renew your license or want to vote in PA. Technically it could be considered fraud, but being that your situation is military related they probably don’t mind much. They certainly didn’t with me, and even though I was only in that situation for 6 months, it saved me $1800 over that time. If you don’t even have a license and you’re just there for SEPS then you gotta beat feet and hit up the Jacksonville DMV when you have time.
SpectrumSense@reddit (OP)
Ah dog, I'm literally just in NC for like a week until separations and then going to PA.
AP587011B@reddit
You buy the car and drive it home
Just make sure you transfer the insurance and make sure you have the title and/or loan with you also a bill of sale
Do you have a plate you will transfer? If no id get a temp plate from your current state or something
SpectrumSense@reddit (OP)
I have literally nothing car-wise. Starting completely fresh in that regard.
AP587011B@reddit
Yeah that’s totally fine and legal.
I would say look into a temporary plate for the car from NC and then permanently register it in PA once you are home
Make sure to sign up for decent auto insurance before you take possession of the car
SpectrumSense@reddit (OP)
Yeah I might hit up USAA, my dad used them and they're pretty awesome.
desertrat84@reddit
Shop around. Sometimes USAA is great, other times it’s way overpriced. It just depends on where you are. I have no idea about Pennsylvania. I would look up or call PA DMV about registering a car bought in another state. Texas has a rule that you would have to pay sales tax on it. Again no idea about PA, just some things to think about and consider before you buy anything.
Equana@reddit
The taxes you pay are registration taxes, not sales taxes. When you buy an NC truck, you don't pay sales tax. Put on a temporary license tag and drive it to PA where you register the truck and THEN pay the PA tax.
SpectrumSense@reddit (OP)
Ah, very well then. Well, hey, no problem.
tidyshark12@reddit
The keys and some gas
SyntheticOne@reddit
Make sure the seller has the title or reveals which lender has it and at what remaining pay-off. Cut checks to the seller's lender and balance to seller, if any.
Ensure title is clean.
Get insured.
Depending on situation, get one-way plates for the vehicle.
Drive home.
timotheusd313@reddit
Temporary plates may be tricky, depending on state’s rules. In Michigan a dealer can assign you a temporary license plate, but only if you’re also paying for a new permanent plate.
I wonder if a JAG office could give you better information.