I am planning to buy a used car in California in 2 weeks (private seller).  I need to drive it for 2-3 days in CA before shipping it to the East Coast.  Minimally - I need to drive it to the shipper facility.



The seller is unlikely to allow me to use the plates for a week (I can pitch him on it - but he will probably say no).



My state offers no appropriate temporary transit tags - except those legal only in that state.



I cannot find any reference to temporary transit tags (permit) on the California DMV site.



I have read online various schemes for dealing with this - most of which I'm not nuts about.  Some even say that you can drive the car with the Bill of Sale and proof of insurance and a home-made tag that says "Tag applied for".  Thats seems odd.





Does anyone have experience with this?  I'm looking for a no drama solution.

I would just call Cali DMV or CHP and explain the situation and ask them what's the best way to go about it.

This

There is this thing called a "phone", and it is actually good for things other than looking at porn & cruising the web.

Trip Permit?

They should have them at the DMV behind enemy lines?

Here in WY you have 30 days to plate your car from date of Bill of sale.

Keep copy of bill of sale on dash so they don't ticket you while parked.

How far away from the seller to the shipper?  Maybe he could meet you there or help you get the car there?

Rent a car if you need transportation.

In AZ you can get a 3 day limited use tag for $1 or a 30 day general use tag for like $15.
call CA mvd

But then I might have to talk to people...

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Or this:

I would just call Cali DMV or CHP and explain the situation and ask them what's the best way to go about it.

I have brought a few home from AR, got a drive out tag that was good for a week I think...only a few $$

Speed

bought it in the state or origin, not my state

Plates go with the car in California (unless personalized or handicapped plates).

If they are personalized, the DMV will issue you a 30 day temp pass (AKA a tweeker tag). I think the 1st one is free, or $50, can't remember.

Last used truck I bought had handicapped plates on it, I had personalized plates that I was transferring off another truck to it.
Talk about a fun thing to try to explain at the DMV. The seller let me drive it off with his handi plate on it, I mailed them back to him after I got my plate transferred to it a week or two later.

Yep,  seller will fill out a release of liability ( which is attached to the pink slip ) and then he takes that part off the pink slip and turns it into the DMV.  His part of the deal is done ( the car is now yours ).    You can drive the car to your shipper with no issues ( at least in California ).    If I were you I would call your insurance and place the car on your policy right away.    I'm not sure of the time restraints you have in your state for getting it regged but as far as Kali is concerned you have 20 days.

Yep plates stay on the car. As long as the registration is good they don't care who is driving the car. You keep the title and the registration that is in the current owner's name. If it is not registered then I'm not sure how that would work.

Great and detailed advice.  Thanks!