well, as a cop, I don't turn ugly unless you can't produce the bill of sale, with the date of purchase. You will transfer that plate to that car anyway, so putting it on doesn't really matter, and in fact, you will get stopped if you have no plate on your car. You will need proof of insurance, so you will have to have something from your insurance company, current insurance card info will do. Again the officer will look at the bill of sale, and date. Sean760 and KimPossible are right on with their info. You don't have to take Sean's advice, but if it can be done, I would do it...good luck my friend, can't wait to see it...and hopefully the seller isn't upside down and has his end of the cash, which you should be fine...sounds like a good guy...

 

Come to think of it, when I bought my XFire last year from the dealer in KCMO, I provided the vehicle info to my insurance carrier several days before I left to pick it up. The insurance carrier sent me a fax that showed coverage on the car, starting on the date of sale.

Per oledoc2u above, I did have a temporary tag on the car since I bought from a dealer. I'm not doubting his comments surrounding whether to have a tag or not. But my cop friends have always told me when driving a car from another locale or state, if I can't get a temporay tag, then drive it without one (as long as you have proper paperwork). Finding a plate registered to another car potentially just brings up another set of questioning that you may not want to deal with.

The main thing to remember from all of the feedback that's been shared, is as long as you have proper paperwork (primarily Bill of Sale), you're most likely not taking any major risks in driving the car home. Your insurance carrier usually is required, by most state insurance commissions, to provide coverage automatically up to 30 days as long as you notify them within this window. Just informing them prior to picking up the car avoids an issue in the event of a loss while traveling home.

If I stepped on your toes earlier, oledoc2u, no offense meant.

 

oledoc2u is right - you need a tag on your car. If you have a current plate registered to you from another vehicle, you have 30 days to change the registration on that plate to your new car. You may be able to purchase a temp tag yourself - check with your DMV. If you have full coverage insurance on your other vehicles, you should be covered for your new car if you add it to your policy within 10 days ( I know that's what my insurance company does). Nothing says "stop me" more to a cop than a car without a tag.

I am sure your transaction at the bank will be fine - they have people in their loan departments that do this sortt of thing all the time. If I were you, I would call your State Police (or Highway Patrol) with your tag question and your insurance company about your other questions. That way you have the name of the person who gave you the info later if a question arises. That sounds better than, "I read it on my car forum, Officer".

 

I never get my toes stepped on, on here...I can only speak for this state, but no tag is a definite stop. If you are stopped for speeding, he or she will run your plate, it will come back to your old XF, he or she will more than likely not even notice it is a different XF, and if they do, then you will produce the bill of sale, which has a date of purchase, in which you have 30 days to transfer. This is a common time period among states you will be traveling thru. Police officers don't want you using other plates illegally. It isn't false and ficticious if you are within the 30 day time period. Beyond that period, I would tell to not use the plate. They will tow your car and issue a citation. Hope this all helps, you have alot of info here. Just trying to help as is everyone else. I only work the sheriff's dept part-time now, but I still keep up with it all...don't forget the insurance as well, they need to notified before your trip out...good luck again

 

The bank has the title in its posession. Have the seller call the bank and arrannge to have the title sent to the branch ahead of time where you are making the payoff. I've had this done in the past with no problems. At least that way, you walk out of the transaction with the title in your hand. You should also get a lien cancellation letter at the same time, or the title should have a "Lien Cancelled' stamp on it.

 

greenie, if you can pull that off in the state of Ohio, I will vote for you, cause it won't happen in IN...LOL...they lose everything...