Need info on buying a used car in NJ: plates, registration, etc.

Factual Questions
1

I’m probably going to buy a car this weekend, but I can’t for the life of me find exactly the information I need on the NJ DMV website.

I understand the seller signs the title over to me. But what happens to the license plates? Does I keep the plates that are currently on the car, or do I need to get new ones before I can drive the car home? Also, do I need to take care of registering the car before I drive it home, or can it wait a few days? Lastly, do I need to arrange insurance before buying (which would seem silly, as any given deal may fall through), or is there some sort of grace period, seeing as I’m currently covered for another car?

(Yes, the answer to the last question is probably “read your policy,” but maybe there’s a standard practice).

I wish the DMV would have a “what we need from you when you buy a used car” page…

2

Oh, and this is from a private party, so I can’t just have a dealer take care of everything. Also I forgot to mention, I know you need to fill out a bill of sale.

3

Where is the car currently registered? N.J., or elsewhere?

Generally speaking, to transfer car ownership, it is very helpful to have an endorsed-over copy of the title.

4

In NY, the seller owns the plates. He must transfer them to a new car or turn them in.

You need to register the car in your name to get plates. To do that you need proof of insurance and proof of ownership. That’s the signed over title and bill of sale. There is no grace period.

Your current insurance policy for your other car is only good for the other car.

How far away is the new car from home? License plate are pretty portable and I would never mention using a set to get from there to here on a one time trip home.

5

The seller of the car removes his/her plates and turns them in to DMV or registers a different car and uses the same plates.

You will call your insurance company to request coverage on the newly purchased car. You will be given a temporary insurance card. You will take the temporary insurance card, the title and the bill of sale to DMV where after filling out a registration form and paying sales tax, you will be given a set plates for the car.

6

Knew I could count on the Dope. The car’s about two hours away, on the other side of the state. Guess I’ll have to pick it up on a weekday and go to a DMV near where the car is now.

7

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/cit_title/v_title_transfere.html