Need to move (drive) a vehicle through a few states with recently expired tags.
I am not the owner but have authorization to move it.
Other than just going for it. What options, if any do I have?

It is insured as am I.

Thanks.

Can your local DMV or AAA issue you a temporary tag?

Don’t know what state you’re in but a temporary tag is probably cheaper than a citation from highway patrol.

VA DMV has special tags for the purpose, 3 day Drive Away tags.

I would just drive it. Odds of getting caught is extremely low, and even if you do it's a simple non moving violation assuming everything else is in order.

Check your state. Many for temporary tag options for this. Although the owner may have to get them.

I have inadvertently driven a couple of vehicles with spired tags. One was 2 years out and the second was 1 year out. I was stopped by LE on both occasions but not ticketed. In Montana the DMV sometimes sends a reminder - sometimes. The nice thing is they don’t make you pay for the year you missed. Registration in Montana runs about $200 annually for a newer vehicle.

If a temp tag isn’t feasible you might rent a tow dolly or obviously a car trailer. I mention the dolly as probably the cheapest way.

Having suggested that it might also be worth the effort to check the states you wish to cross and see if the towed vehicle needs to be currently tagged. I am suggesting that the vehicle may not need a current tag since it isn’t being driven.

As far as how much damage can you do by using the dolly vs. a trailer? Depends on the car. A front wheel drive car will have virtually zero wear done since there isn’t any power put to the rear axle at all. Other (4WD) vehicles might benefit from having the driveshaft removed.

Can the dolly really work without damaging the car over a long distance? Speaking from a limited experience, I towed a Honda Celica(I think) from California to Pennsylvania a few years back. Used a Penske rental truck. It was a little rough going over the Rockies, even by the southern route. California didn’t allow diesel trucks to be rented there, so I had a gas engine in a large box truck. Gas pedal floored, on the highway, going up hill, doing 30mph.... it had nothing else to give.

The answer will vary by state. Some examples:
KS would sell you a year's tag then allow you to turn it in for credit of unused portion, so in this case the cost would be 1/12 the full year cost. AZ on the other hand won't refund on an issued tag. Both of those states offer temp tags, but only on purchases.

From a different angle, MO won't pull you over as a primary violation for expired out of state tags, flip side of that coin is KS would.

Best course of action is to discuss with your state tax issuer what options might be available.

There is always the "in transit" method that seems to work well for many dragging things south or into Mexico.

In Idaho dmv will give, or rather you pay for a temporary registration which is good for 30 days.

This is all you'll need. Honest...

Failure to register or expired tags is actually an arrestable offense in NC....( I never arrested someone for just that one offense, but I wouldn’t risk it) call the dmv where you are and see if you can get a three day temp tag for buying/test drive....

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:


This is all you'll need. Honest...

Didn’t I see you on Live PD?

FWIW, You could legally be cited by every officer that happens to see the expired or missing registration, in every state. No limit to the number of times you could potentially be cited. Sounds like NC is especially tough. And it is the driver that will face the consequences, not the owner as some might expect. Of course I realize you could just go for it, and perhaps never be noticed by LE. Personally, I would not....ymmv
Is a temporary permit to move the car a possibility?

FWIW, I stopped a fellow who expressed the sentiments shown on the homemade plate. I ended up arresting him and impounding his car. I wouldn't suggest going the homemade plate route

No tags, expired paper tags, no problem here in Arkansas.

We just arrested a sovereign citizen last night after a quick fight and some broke windows. He was driving with a homemade plate.

My bad, he was traveling in a vehicle with a homemade plate.

I think that plate creates Joinder, I'd just got without.

It depends on how recent the tags expired. If less than a month, I'd drive it. Here in Florida they generally don't write you a citation unless it's over 4 months expired. Why can't the owner just renew the plate or a tag agency should be able to get you a 30 day temporary tag considering the vehicle is insured?

Back when you signed a credit card receipt at the gas station, (we can't pump out own gas) the attendant laughed and then walked to see my rear license plate (back then your license plate was written on your receipt). The attendant smiled when handing me the receipt and said nice plate. I didn't know what he meant until I got home and looked at the plate. Apparently, my wise ass brother who is in construction used his aluminum brake and made a fake front license plate. For two weeks I had been driving around with a front plate that read "Richie Boy". No police noticed.

If a temporary tag isn't feasible (or otherwise untenable -- absurd costs, for example), I'd trailer it.