In the modern world, car shoppers have access to vehicles for sale from dealers across state lines, individuals across the nation on Craigslist, and even international sellers on eBay who’ve posted a ride online. But is it wise to buy a vehicle across state lines? Regardless of whether you buy new or used or from a dealer or direct from the titleholder, buying a car across state lines comes with a unique set of challenges. Consider these rules about vehicle registration and other parts of the car buying process before committing to the purchase of a vehicle outside your state.
Emissions Requirements
Some states, such as California, have strict emissions requirements that don’t apply in other states. Not much is worse during the buying process than bringing a car across state lines only to pay more than you expected in taxes because it doesn’t meet the emissions codes where you live. You might even have to sell the car and find another in this situation. The following states follow the California Air Resources Board’s air quality standards:
- California
- Arizona
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
If you live in one of these states, research the emission laws carefully and check that the used vehicle you want to purchase meets these standards.
State Taxes
You won’t be able to avoid your state’s tax laws if you buy in another area. Instead, the dealership will either apply the relevant tax based on the state where the vehicle will be registered or leave it to the DMV when you go to register the vehicle.
If you buy direct from the titleholder, remember to account for the taxes you’ll have to pay. These will be charged at the DMV based on the total amount of the sale. You must pay the tax before the vehicle can be registered in your state.
Registration
When you purchase a car out of state, the dealer should provide you with a temporary tag or license plate that you can use for 7 to 10 days. The fee for this is part of the purchase of the vehicle. This will give you enough time to get the car home and register it in your state. Be particularly mindful of this issue if you’re buying through a private owner. You’ll have to handle temporary registration on your own, pay the fee, and remember to update your plates before the temporary license expires.
Transportation
You might find a deal online that looks excellent at first glance but turns sour when you factor in costs for shipping or transportation. Buying a vehicle when you’re out of state on vacation and driving it home is straightforward, but costs for shipping or towing an out of state vehicle to you will be expensive. Think about the trouble and expense of this process to accurately determine whether an out-of-state vehicle is actually a good deal.
The world is your car lot when it comes to buying a new vehicle today. You can find a great deal out of state, but remember to consider emissions laws, taxes, registration, and transportation before committing to the purchase of a new vehicle.
Image by Dice.com licensed by CC BY 2.0
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