California Temporary Registration?

[alawson]

You may or may not have seen my previous post, but in short I am purchasing a 1985 4Runner in California from a private party (I live in Pennsylvania).

The car currently isn't registered because the seller collects old Toyota's and hasn't driven this one in over a year.

Now I'm flying out there to purchase the car, but it isn't registered, so I can't drive it to the shipping terminal 1.5 hours away. I also can't drive it to have it looked at by a mechanic.

Is it easy to get temporary tags for a number of days? And if this is an option, can I do this via phone, or do I have to go to the DMV in LA and wait around all day?

Thanks in advance.

 

[4runner_kid]

To get it you'll have to wait around all day. Normally when i buy a car and it isn't tagged i just drive it to where i need to take it if it's close enough. I've been pulled over once and the cop said just get it home sense i just bought it and it was at night.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Or you can just chance it and hope you don't get pulled over. If you do explain what is going on and hope they don't tow it.

 

[alawson]

Ok, one more question for CA residents.. I'm going to have it registered in CA either today or Monday. The physical registration paperwork won't arrive until after I fly in/out of CA for the purchase.

Legally, is the car registered? Everything will have been paid, just no papers in the car. That way if I get pulled over, I should be ok?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[4runner_kid]

Ok, one more question for CA residents.. I'm going to have it registered in CA either today or Monday. The physical registration paperwork won't arrive until after I fly in/out of CA for the purchase.

Legally, is the car registered? Everything will have been paid, just no papers in the car. That way if I get pulled over, I should be ok?

Thanks for all the help.

It will probably need a smog to be fully registered in California. I wouldn't waste your time even registering it in California honestly. All the taxes and fee's you'll pay won't be worth your time. Just my .02

 

[alawson]

Just to close this out in case anyone has these questions in the future.

Paying online does not mean it's registered. They have to process the registration which takes 5-7 days. You may be pulled over and towed if you drive it right after paying for the registration.

I've decided not to register it or try and get temporary tags because I don't want to waste my time at the DMV and money for all the fees. I'm going to fly out, do the purchase and transfer tags, and drive it to whatever shipping terminal I'm going to use.

If I get pulled over and it needs towed, it'll be $$ to get it towed, but I'll just have them tow it to the shipping terminal. Probably easier this way, and probably not a ton more money in the long term (cost of car, cost of shipping, cost of airfare/travel/etc.).

Thanks for all the help.

 

[ayeyothisiskyle]

Have you thought about renting a pickup and a auto transport trailer from u-haul?

 

[ElectroBoy]

Just to close this out in case anyone has these questions in the future.

Paying online does not mean it's registered. They have to process the registration which takes 5-7 days. You may be pulled over and towed if you drive it right after paying for the registration.

I've decided not to register it or try and get temporary tags because I don't want to waste my time at the DMV and money for all the fees. I'm going to fly out, do the purchase and transfer tags, and drive it to whatever shipping terminal I'm going to use.

If I get pulled over and it needs towed, it'll be $$ to get it towed, but I'll just have them tow it to the shipping terminal. Probably easier this way, and probably not a ton more money in the long term (cost of car, cost of shipping, cost of airfare/travel/etc.).

Thanks for all the help.

If the seller hasn’t driven it in a year, is it even starting and road worthy now?
You may consider the least risky course is to pay the money to tow it straight to the shipping company.
Good luck with your journey, and your project.

 

[4runner_kid]

Just to close this out in case anyone has these questions in the future.

Paying online does not mean it's registered. They have to process the registration which takes 5-7 days. You may be pulled over and towed if you drive it right after paying for the registration.

I've decided not to register it or try and get temporary tags because I don't want to waste my time at the DMV and money for all the fees. I'm going to fly out, do the purchase and transfer tags, and drive it to whatever shipping terminal I'm going to use.

If I get pulled over and it needs towed, it'll be $$ to get it towed, but I'll just have them tow it to the shipping terminal. Probably easier this way, and probably not a ton more money in the long term (cost of car, cost of shipping, cost of airfare/travel/etc.).

Thanks for all the help.

Instead of waiting at the DMV all day for a temporary tag i was call a tow truck and tow it to the shipping company. Seems like a faster and easier option in my eye's. Yes it's more money but it get's it taken care of faster.

 

[Drunner97]

Just to close this out in case anyone has these questions in the future.

Paying online does not mean it's registered. They have to process the registration which takes 5-7 days. You may be pulled over and towed if you drive it right after paying for the registration.

I've decided not to register it or try and get temporary tags because I don't want to waste my time at the DMV and money for all the fees. I'm going to fly out, do the purchase and transfer tags, and drive it to whatever shipping terminal I'm going to use.

If I get pulled over and it needs towed, it'll be $$ to get it towed, but I'll just have them tow it to the shipping terminal. Probably easier this way, and probably not a ton more money in the long term (cost of car, cost of shipping, cost of airfare/travel/etc.).

Thanks for all the help.

Seller is responsible for smog (in California), so he needs to get it smogged before you even buy it. If he doesn't, you won't be able to register it until it's smogged (via him or you). Once it's smogged, you should be able to walk into the DMV, transfer the title and registration, and get a temporary print out while you're waiting for the new title which will show you as the registered owner. You will be able to still transfer the title into your name without the smog, but I doubt they'll give you a temporary registration without it.

 

[fourwd1]

Get the VIN and get PA temporary inspection tags in advance.