Out of state vehicle purchases?

[XJCruiser]

What is all required for an out of state vehicle purchase? My mom is looking at a Grand Cherokee Limited in New York, we are in PA. Any special requirements or inspections along those lines? I know in PA we dont have the emissions checks just yet but that is all I am aware of from New York that is different.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Kittrell]

It differs from state to state. My Audi came from California and just required a VIN verification which I had a local LEO friend do for me and sign off on the form.

[Tenny]

When I bought my Stealth (94 RT/TT) from Washington to Cali, I had to smog it, and the smog tech checked everything off and signed it as ok.

But yeah, it really does depend on the state, so check with your local laws.

[bigalpha]

I bought a Subaru in Illinois and brought it to Tennessee. No special forms or anything, just the usual paperwork.

[5-90]

Go to your state's website, there should be a link to your DMV/BMV/MVD/MVB/whatever they call it. You should be able to find what you need to know there.

If you have regular safety inspections, expect to need one of those. If you have regular emissions inspections, expect to need one of those. You may need either/both inspection to be more detailed - that will depend both upon what your state requirements are, and the requirements of the state you are purchasing the vehicle from. (For instance, if you are getting the vehicle from a state that requires a more stringent safety inspection than yours, you may not need one at all - if your state recognises the other state's inspection as valid, and if the other state's inspection cert hasn't yet expired.)

But each state has it's own motor vehicle regs above and beyond FMVSS (which is pretty much the only federal regs going, and has more to do with manufacture than anything else - save some EPA regs on emissions equipment,) so you're really going to want to check your own state's regs.

NB: If you're an AAA member, you can stop in there (most AAA offices have DMV substations) and ask. They may be able to handle the transaction for you - and even if they can't, you are still likely to get an answer that doesn't require spending a half-day in line, or making an appointment a fortnight out...

[XJCruiser]

thanks guys for all the responses. gonna get on the DMV website!!!

[vt98xj]

I just went thru all this buying the XJ in NY and bring it back to VT. like everyone said it differs state to state.

The one good peice of info that you may or may not need is about IN-Transit Permits, mainly if you are buying private. Basicly a temporary plate in order to get back to PA from NY. It cost $10 and you need a ton of ID (license, Birth Certificate, passport, etc) the more the better, when you get it at the NY DMV. You also need to get proof on insurance faxed directly to the NY DMV for the intransit permit.

[XJCruiser]

Yeah its a total pain in the @ss... i have talked her in to in-state vehicle purchases only!!
thanks guys!

[vt98xj]

its really not that bad to deal with I only spent an hour at the DMV in NY to get everything taken care of and about 1/2 hour at the VT DMV for VT plates.

[OverlandXJ]

Yeah its a total pain in the @ss... i have talked her in to in-state vehicle purchases only!!
thanks guys!


I'm also in Pa, bought several vehicles out of state. All you need to do is take the title and receipt to a local tag dealer and apply for a new title. You have 10 days from the purchase for Pa inspection.

[XJCruiser]

I'm also in Pa, bought several vehicles out of state. All you need to do is take the title and receipt to a local tag dealer and apply for a new title. You have 10 days from the purchase for Pa inspection.

Was that buying from a dealer or individual?

[OverlandXJ]

Every vehicle i bought out of state was paid in full before leaving.

Last one was a dealer. I had the VIN at auction end, had ins and temp tag before i left to pick it up.