I ran into a problem with a car I'm buying tomorrow.
In the past, private sales I have usually used the previous owner's tag to get home, then took or mailed it back to him as soon as I got home.
However, I'm buying one in St. Pete tomorrow and his tag is expired and he doesn't really want me to run off with it. Understandable.
Now I have a valid plate with an expired sticker. So dropping into a tax office to do it shouldn't be a real hassle, but I can't get it up here because I don't have the title and down there I don't know where anything is, plus I won't have transportation since the car has no tag.
Years ago, the easiest was a piece of cardboard with "Lost Tag" or "License Applied For" but since those are not the way to do it anymore, it is asking for trouble, especially with 150 miles to drive home.
Also, years ago, you could have driven home with title and bill of sale in hand and had no issue, but I don't think that flies today.
I could probably put the tag on with the expired sticker, and no one would notice, but if I am, I know that is trouble.
I'm no police officer but why not buy the car in St. Pete and then run over to the closest tag office and get a cardboard temporary 30 day tag...it is cheap and you will be legal to drive home...don't forget you will need proof of insurance to get a temp tag just like a permanent tag...
You should be fine with a bill of sale stating you just bought it. I've done that in FL (just moved from there) a couple of times with no issue. BTW, I passed multiple police (city, county, and state) with no tag and none pulled me over... a couple were even right behind me.
if you have a bill of sale or the title signed over by the seller, plus proof of insurance for the car (you'll want to do this the day before you go buy the car) then you can drive it directly home without tags.
or, you can just lookup a dmv location near the seller's location and do it before you head home.. either way, just make sure you get new insurance and proof (fax copy is ok).. take your transfer plate with you if you're going to dmv in st pete, but don't install it on the car unless you go to dmv first. using a plate not registered for the car it's installed on is illegal.
don't use your othere tag, even if it's current. "Attaching tag not assigned" could = jail if the officer is having a bad day. Its a criminal traffic violation. Your tag will be seized. Just have the seller meet you at the DMV sign it over and get a temp tag.
don't use your othere tag, even if it's current. "Attaching tag not assigned" could = jail if the officer is having a bad day. Its a criminal traffic violation. Your tag will be seized. Just have the seller meet you at the DMV sign it over and get a temp tag.
Best advise I've seen. Why not do it right and avoid any potential problems?
Link to the Pinellas County Tax Collectors Office locations. Depending on where in St. Petersburg you're buying the car?:
Corvette Store
FL Police Officers? Car registration question.
