How To Transport A Car Without Plates – Understanding Your Options

1. Can I Transport A Car Without Plates By Driving It Myself?
2. Can The Car Be Driven On Its Old License Plates Until It’s Registered Again?
3. What’s The Best Way To Transport A Vehicle Without Plates?
4. Relevant Statistics
5. General Facts
6. A-1 Auto Transport Can Help You Transport A Car Without Plates In The US

In some cases, you may find yourself needing to transport a carwithout plates. For example, if you buy a car from someone in another state and it is not registered and doesn’t have plates, you may need to get it to your state to register it and start driving it.
Or, if you sell your car and it doesn’t have plates, you may need to find a way to get it to the buyer – and you may not be sure what your options are. Let’s get into the details.

Can I Transport A Car Without Plates By Driving It Myself?

Yes, but only in some states, and you may end up facing some issues if you try to drive a car between states without license plates. Some states offer “in-transit permits” and temporary tags that people can use to legally drive cars without plates.

However, the rules vary widely between states. In Oklahoma, for example, it’s not possible to do this at all – there is no system in place to drive a car without plates. But in New York, you can get a 30-day “in transit” permit to drive the car without plates as long as the car can pass inspection.

For this reason, we only recommend driving a car without plates to transport it if you’re staying within your state – and you’re certain that you can get the legal permission to do so. Driving a car without proper registration, even a temporary registration title or certificate, can lead to problems and serious legal penalties and repercussions. Consult with your local DMV/BMV for more information.

Can The Car Be Driven On Its Old License Plates Until It’s Registered Again?

No. In most states, it’s illegal for a car that’s been bought or sold to be driven with the license plates of the previous owner. The car should not be driven by anyone who is not the currently registered owner of the vehicle – even for a day or two. If you’re caught doing this, you risk legal penalties and fines.

When buying a vehicle, you need to register it in your name right away. And if you’re selling a vehicle, make sure to remove the license plates and provide the buyer with the necessary paperwork to have it registered in their name.

What’s The Best Way To Transport A Vehicle Without Plates?

If you’re transporting a car across state lines without plates, we recommend that you search for a car transport company and ship on a trailer instead of trying to drive it yourself. Not only will this save you a lot of time, it will ensure you do not break any laws. Your car doesn't have to be registered or insured to be transported on the back of a truck.

If you bought a car without plates, it can simply be loaded onto a semi-truck car carrier and driven from its current location to the destination of your choice. Then, as long as you have the required paperwork for your state, you can register it at the DMV/BMV, and then start driving it legally.

Or, if you’re selling the car, you can arrange for it to be driven to the buyer’s desired drop-off point, and they can handle the process of registering the vehicle from there. Either way, hiring a car shipping company for the job simplifies things a lot, particularly if the car needs to be transported a long distance.

Relevant Statistics

• Approximately 25% of car owners transport their vehicles without plates during the process of obtaining new registration.
• Over 80% of car dealerships provide temporary transport permits for vehicles without plates.
• A survey found that 9 out of 10 individuals who transported a car without plates did so for less than a week.
• In urban areas, around 70% of car owners opt for professional towing services to transport their vehicles without plates.
• The average cost of renting a trailer or flatbed truck to move a car without plates is $150 per day, according to industry estimates.

General Facts

• It is illegal to transport a car without plates on public roads in most jurisdictions.
• One option is to obtain temporary or transit plates from the relevant authorities.
• Another option is to hire a professional auto transporter who can provide the necessary permits for transportation.
• Some states allow you to apply for an exemption and transport the car without plates, but this usually requires prior approval and documentation.
• Before transporting a car without plates, it's important to research and comply with the specific regulations and requirements of your jurisdiction to avoid any legal issues.

A-1 Auto Transport Can Help You Transport A Car Without Plates In The US

Whether you’re a buyer, seller, or dealer, A-1 Auto Transport can help you ship a car without license plates anywhere in the United States. Compared to driving it yourself as an individual, this saves you a lot of time – and could also help you avoid legal trouble. We have the equipment to ship cars to anywhere in the United States and can also provide temporary storage for your car when required. If you have further questions or clarifications on this, you can contact us online now, or give us a call at (888) 230-9116 to get a quote and ship your car right away.