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can i drive it home?

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Farmer Rock

Member
hi guys,i am buying an 87 ih s1600 flatbed truck,it is 20 miles to my place,i live in south central pa,it is unregistered but has cclean title,i am going to use it for farm use,but i do not currently qaulify for a farm tag,but will in spring! question is how to get it home,thanks,rock
 
Long as you have insurance on it , the Lack of plates is not a big fine. Get up early when everybody?s sleeping and drive er home.
 
hey guys,thanks for replies,dot would not let me get a temperary plate because of weight,and there is no insurance on it either,thats why i am considering (risks)!thanks,rock
 
As said below, a dated bill of sale with seller name/buyer name and vehicle ID and a signed title from seller to you. Have a valid current driver license. Take the most direct route home and do not haul anything on/in it. I got stopped once when buying a used car. The officer asked me if I knew why he stopped me and I said I didn't think that I was speeding. He said no, you don't have a license plate. I produced my driver license, bill of sale and the signed title. He said, "have a nice day".
 
Call your insurance people and tell them you bought it, and get liability to get it home(they may not even charge you. Mine will insure over the phone. With the bill of sale you will not need a plate.
 
Just curious, where in PA are you? My uncle had a farm near Chambersburg. He is deceased but my cousin still lives there.
 
From what I've heard about the cops and PA DOT from the guys up at Marion I wouldn't drive it anywhere in PA unless it was 100% legal.In Virginia just get a FARM USE
tag from Tractor Supply and drive it.
 
Two things to make sure of.
1) Insurance. Here in PA, it can get you up to a one year suspension of your driver's license for driving without insurance.
2) Make sure that insurance will cover you on the drive home. With or without a license plate.

An alternative idea would be to borrow a dealer or transporter plate for the move. I'm surprised that they won't give you a temporary cardboard plate to drive it home on. I suppose they are afraid you might actually carry something with it.
 
(quoted from post at 19:45:35 12/16/19) hi guys,i am buying an 87 ih s1600 flatbed truck,it is 20 miles to my place,i live in south central pa,it is unregistered but has cclean title,i am going to use it for farm use,but i do not currently qaulify for a farm tag,but will in spring! question is how to get it home,thanks,rock
Click to expand...

Check your state laws/requirements.

Where I'm at (North Dakota) you can basically self-issue a 30 day permit and stick it in the back window, but you need proof of liability insurance to complete the deal if Barney stops you.

Get caught without making arrangements with your insurance agent and the penalties are near the level of reckless driving" ot a "DUI",
 
Here in NC you can get (buy with $ of course) a special permit to drive a vehicle without a tag. It specifies which day you will be operating it and I think which roads you plan to use. You must keep it with you in the truck to show the cop if you are stopped. And of course you have to have insurance on it. I would think PA would have some similar provision.

'YTdot' may not be the final word on this. Check with your highway patrol/state police and perhaps the Department of Motor Vehicles.
 
[b:ccd3b1c7fc]Check your state laws/requirements.[/b:ccd3b1c7fc]


Good advice. I've flown "under the radar" many times with such a purchase, been lucky. Can't recommend anyone else do the same. It's been some years, but when I bought a 14' box truck for my business from a private seller in PA, we went to the dept of motor vehicles, they notarized the sale, and I got a temporary tag to drive it back to maryland. In my state it's a good idea to know the answer before asking, as the people who are supposed to know often give contradictory information and you can end up chasing your tail.
 
i am about 10 miles over pa/md line in glen rock pa,well i guess the only legal way is on a trailer,and i don't have one that big,so price just went up,but thank you guys for all your help,i might still go for it not sure,thanks,rock
 
Here I know there are some roads where I am going to run into police and some where I am not. Many is the time I have just taken those back roads and got her done. If you are real worried, just send someone up ahead with a cell and they can tell you if there is a patrol car coming your way. Back into a handy drive and wait for him to pass...and hope it isn't where he is headed.
 
In Minnesota there must be a way to do that. A long, long time scrapper bought an old unlicensed truck at an auction, he was talking about not needing registration to get it home, maybe he needed temp insurance would be the thing to watch out for.

State laws vary I would check with your state licensing office or scan the web sites for any info. They don?t always get it right either on these fringe type questions, but would be worth checking.

Paul
 
If you have a pickup with a hitch, you might be able to borrow or rent a tow dolly, I once dollied an f-350 dump behind an f-250 about 60 miles including interstate travel, just took my time and had no problems.
 


You are not specifying whether you want a legal response or a YTDOT response. If you are not concerned about liability, just write down the handles of everybody who is telling you that they did it so you can too, and jump in and go. If anything goes wrong you can just show the list to the cop or prosecuting attorney and you will be let off. If you are concerned about something going wrong and an ambulance chasing lawyer, then go to your state DOT to get the real answer.
 
(quoted from post at 20:41:17 12/16/19) Here I know there are some roads where I am going to run into police and some where I am not. Many is the time I have just taken those back roads and got her done. If you are real worried, just send someone up ahead with a cell and they can tell you if there is a patrol car coming your way. Back into a handy drive and wait for him to pass...and hope it isn't where he is headed.
Click to expand...

Make sure they're driving a black and gold 1977 Trans Am.

I personally would take the commercial plates off of one of my pickup trucks, put them on the truck, and drive it home. Illegal as all get-out, but the fuzz is far less likely to take notice if the truck has legitimate license plates on it.

Not sure how it would work with license plate scanners... If the officer is quick enough to realize that a 1987 IH S1600 isn't a 2002 Chevy 3500.

We can't get temporary plates in NY so that's the only alternative we have aside from trailering it.

You could "flat tow" it with a tow bar. Just disconnect the drive shaft from the differential and strap it to the frame rail.

Frankly, for 20 miles, I would just make sure the brakes worked and there was air in the tires, and drive it.
 
Insurance it and have a bill of sale dated for the day you drive it home. I drove a Jeep home from Charleston SC to Lexington NC (200 miles) no tags all interstate. Could have hauled it but where is the fun in that.
 
You have plenty of answers for the "can you" part of your question.

If you want to keep everything legal;

Can the current owner get a permit (you pay), drive it to your place and you run him back?

Will cost a few dollars but for 20 miles you could have a tow truck move it.

Know anybody with a dealer plate?
 
It's more of a "would you" than a "can you." Unless you're physically incapable of operating a motor vehicle, of course you CAN.

If he wants to be legal he can just get the registration transferred into his name, put insurance on it, and drive it home legally. He could have had that done already if he went down to the motor vehicle department when they opened roughly an hour ago. It would take a lot less time than dinking around with temporary tags (which he already said he can NOT get).
 
Here in Missouri I have driven many vehicles home with only a bill of sale..
I've also bought several at auctions out of state or on craigslist....Some were as far
away as 300 miles.....I cant insure a vehicle until I give them a VIN and a bill
of sale...I asked my insurance agent and they said if you have current policies
with them, that any vehicle you purchased is covered for 7 days..

I'm sure not going to leave a vehicle sitting thats 250 miles away and go back and
get it later..I'm driving it home if its road worthy..I bought a Loadstar IH 2 ton truck
at a consignment auction 125 miles from home..I found a loading dock and drove my
Ford Ranger in it and home we went..I bought a F-350 Ford 250 miles away and
drove it home....My son bought a 1965 Mustang under my name and we drove it
300 miles home from Oklahoma City...

This is just me but go ask your insurance agent and if the truck is road worthy drive it
home...
 
As others have said, start with your insurance agent, and then see what you state requires. In the Midwest, having insurance on the vehicle goes a long way if you get pulled over.
 
Here in western Canada....British Columbia....I handed the Commercial Inspector a bill of sale, he / she hands me a one day permit...I hand here / she $25.00 and I legally drive the vehicle home..

The above transaction takes place at a government VEHICLE WEIGH SCALES.....

Last permit....2018..I drove a 1944 Ford 4 X 4 Army truck from point of sale to my home .....40 + miles ...had to be day light hours...
I believe if I could not afford the $25.00 permit then I could not afford to take a sketchy chance..


Bob.....
 
Here your insurance covers purchased vehicles for a period even without a call. But I always call my agent and report it. Then as long as it has brakes and lights just drive it home.
 
(quoted from post at 17:02:22 12/17/19) Good way to get a vehicle impounded,license plates confiscated,big fines.
Click to expand...
Yep. If I tried it, there would be 6 cop cars and a swat team waiting at the first intersection.
 
hire a medium duty wrecker to tow it for you. cost 2 or 3 hundred. no plates, no permits, tow truck has insurance.
 
hey guys,i am liking all these smokey and the the bandit ideas! as some of you asked,i guess i am kinda looking to see what you guys would do,and for reasons not to do it,but i would just hate to have to trailer it 20 miles,thanks rock
 

If you cannot get insurance you are really stupid if you put it on the road. Get a trailer or hire a tow truck. It is people who do non-insured BS like this who create problems for everyone else. Good grief. No common sense in the world any more,.
 
I have never heard of driving on a bill of sale. That may be legal in some states, but I never heard of it in Pennsylvania. I do know that they will issue a temporary transit plate to an out of state buyer, but I don't know if an in state buyer can get one.

Well, what do you think the odds are of being seen by a police officer? And what would the consequences be if you were seen?

Possibilities are:

1) Impoundment of vehicle.

2) Summonses for driving an unregistered vehicle on a public highway, driving an uninsured vehicle on a public highway, uninspected vehicle, and whatever else the officer can think up.

3) What if... What if you were involved in a collision? Not necessarily a bad crash, but just enough for the other party to summon law enforcement?

4) Worse yet, what if there were personal injuries involved?

You can take a chance if you want to, but for the peace of mind, I would have it transported by a licensed (and insured) hauler. My opinion.

Just so you know, I have two vehicles to be moved to my new home. I will have them towed. I don't need the expense or hassle if I were to be caught driving either one without registration.
 
(quoted from post at 13:31:49 12/17/19) Here your insurance covers purchased vehicles for a period even without a call. But I always call my agent and report it. Then as long as it has brakes and lights just drive it home.
Click to expand...

Pa is the same I believe. However, I think it only applies once the plates are registered to the vehicle, whether that be new tags or transferred. I can't remember exactly but I believe it is either 10 or 30 days you have to get insurance on that vehicle as long as your insurance is current on your other vehicles. I know this because when you go to notary to get plates for a bought vehicle they will give you a plate for the new vehicle as long as you have proof of current insurance for another vehicle. I just can't remember how long the you have to get the new vehicle info to the insurance company before you become illegal.
 
Heres what I would do in my state....Contact your insurance agent to be sure its
covered...Check it over to be sure its road worthy and if it is,drive it home taking
the back roads at 25 MPH with someone leading the way and the bill of sale in hand..
I go to lots of farm sales and its done all the time here...I often see guys buy a
vehicle at a farm sale, quickly pay for it,and hit the road..One guy I talked to had
200 miles ahead of him..I've never been stopped but friends have and the cops
after looking at the bill of sale and seeing the insurance for the escort vehicle just
told them to be safe..It may be different in other states..
 
hey guy,let me just say this,i am not trying to do anything stupid or illegal,i am just saying that i would like to drive if i could legally,but worst case,i have to get it towed,thanks,rock
 
I have driven unlicensed vehicles and trailerz several times. To be safe, have someone follow closely behind to keep missing plate unseeable. Just notify insurance and go ahead.
 
I bought an L750 years ago , and went to dmv and got a one way permit to drive it home. That was in Va, but you might look into that.
 
I drove my new to me dump truck 100 miles on expired tags, with the title signed by the previous owner and a bill of sale never thought anything of it. Stayed on 2 Lane state highways and met a state trooper he didn't stop me. From what I read here I shoulda' been more concerned. I drove the highways so I could pull off if I had trouble.
 
Where did he say that he couldn't get insurance?I think that everyone
has told him to check with his insurance company..In my state my
insurance covers a new purchase for 7 days..
 
(quoted from post at 21:45:35 12/16/19) hi guys,i am buying an 87 ih s1600 flatbed truck,it is 20 miles to my place,i live in south central pa,it is unregistered but has cclean title,i am going to use it for farm use,but i do not currently qaulify for a farm tag,but will in spring! question is how to get it home,thanks,rock
Click to expand...



You really want to drive an unlicensed, uninsured vehicle down a highway? Even giving you the benefit of the doubt that the brakes and lights work, I'd still suggest bringing a goodly amount of cash with you for bail...
 
(quoted from post at 06:32:18 12/18/19)
(quoted from post at 21:45:35 12/16/19) hi guys,i am buying an 87 ih s1600 flatbed truck,it is 20 miles to my place,i live in south central pa,it is unregistered but has cclean title,i am going to use it for farm use,but i do not currently qaulify for a farm tag,but will in spring! question is how to get it home,thanks,rock
Click to expand...



You really want to drive an unlicensed, uninsured vehicle down a highway? Even giving you the benefit of the doubt that the brakes and lights work, I'd still suggest bringing a goodly amount of cash with you for bail...
Click to expand...

But Bret, Bail money is only chump change compared to what he would need if he is unlucky.
 
(quoted from post at 22:19:51 12/17/19) Where did he say that he couldn't get insurance?I think that everyone
has told him to check with his insurance company..In my state my
insurance covers a new purchase for 7 days..
Click to expand...

As nearly everyone has mentioned, I would agree the OP should contact his insurance agent.

With that said, I can't believe this thread has gone on for 4 pages! You're making it sound like every cop in the state is hovering around this guy's driveway just waiting for him to pull out onto the road! He's only going 20 miles. That should take, at most, a half hour. Unless he's going through the heart of down town, chances are he won't even see a cop. And even if he does, he's just another truck on the road, unless he's obviously doing something to attract attention to himself! If the truck is mechanically sound and driveable, I'd say get your insurance in order, take the back roads and drive the damn thing home!
 
(quoted from post at 22:26:54 12/18/19)
(quoted from post at 22:19:51 12/17/19) Where did he say that he couldn't get insurance?I think that everyone
has told him to check with his insurance company..In my state my
insurance covers a new purchase for 7 days..
Click to expand...

As nearly everyone has mentioned, I would agree the OP should contact his insurance agent.

With that said, I can't believe this thread has gone on for 4 pages! You're making it sound like every cop in the state is hovering around this guy's driveway just waiting for him to pull out onto the road! He's only going 20 miles. That should take, at most, a half hour. Unless he's going through the heart of down town, chances are he won't even see a cop. And even if he does, he's just another truck on the road, unless he's obviously doing something to attract attention to himself! If the truck is mechanically sound and driveable, I'd say get your insurance in order, take the back roads and drive the damn thing home!
Click to expand...


Rich, you are missing the bigger picture. Try reading through again.
 
A web search shows PA has provisions for transit plates. It reads like it may be a lead in to the permanent plates, which apparently you don't want yet. Go to the proper authorities and get the correct info, asking here is just getting opinions for the most part.

Your insurance agent will answer your insurance questions. Yes most will cover a purchase for a few days even without a call, but if you only have cars or pickups now it might not cover a truck that size without a rider or policy change. Ask your agent.

If you felt comfortable driving it you would have just done it and not asked here. Why draw attention to it. Then you would be able to say "I've done that before", when someone else asks the same question in the future.

Like the others -- JMHO, no legal standing on rule interpertations.
 
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