Buying a Car That Has No Plates

[BoxMann]

Originally Posted by Racer Boy

The seller created the situation where you can't easily drive it, so he should figure it out. A seller should make it as easy to sell the car as possible, shouldn't they?

If it were me, I'd let the seller know that he needs to get a temporary permit or whatever mechanism NY state has for addressing that situation, then you want to test drive it and have a PPI done.

I couldn't agree with you more and I think that's excellent advice. I'll be doing exactly that in the morning.

[husker boxster]

Why is it your issue if you or the inspector gets pulled over? All the penalties will go to the seller and his record, not yours. I would assume the seller will be with you when you're driving, so all the attn would be on him. As long as you don't get injured, what do you care? (I was going to include dying, but at that point you really don't care.)

[BoxMann]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

Why is it your issue if you or the inspector gets pulled over? All the penalties will go to the seller and his record, not yours. I would assume the seller will be with you when you're driving, so all the attn would be on him.

HB,

I love your posts, but I beg to differ with you on this one.

It is NOT illegal to own a car that is unregistered, uninsured and without plates. People store unregistered, uninsured cars in their garage all the time. What IS illegal is operating a vehicle on the public roads that is unregistered, uninsured and without plates. And "operating" means driving, and also means, permitted to be driven. So BOTH the driver and owner have legal liability here. And sometimes the owner is not going to be in the car, so the violations will be issued to the driver. Can't speak for 50 states, but I suspect that all or most others work the same way.

I could cite you sections of the NY Vehicle & Traffic Law, but I think you get the idea.

[Starter986]

Slap on a couple of the plastic, thin, wobbly Porsche logo plates. That'll make it appear a car that sits on a dealer lot.

For how long is the shop going to test the car on the roadway, major or otherwise? 5 minutes?

For how long are you going to take the car on a test drive? 5? 10 minutes? The shop already will have done the "legwork".

I once had a challenge with my driving priviliges and asked my attorney, "How do I navigate this"? He said, "Don't tailgate. Don't weave. Use your signals. Make certain all your lights work. Don't be at the front of the pack. Don't speed".

Now... the "speed" part might be tough during the test run. So... don't do anything crazy or extraordinary. Share that with the shop... if they'll take the car on the road.

If, by chance, law enforcement does stop you... tell them. No plates available. Had the PPI performed and, because you're interested in the car, just wanted to "take it around the block". Tell them you'll have it insured, registered, and licensed within 24 hours... maybe that same day. Likely you will.

I finally "overcame" that driving priviliges challenge. 10 years later. Stopped not once. You may be safe for the test drives.

Just be cool and careful. Laws were made to be broken. YMMV.