Tips on Buying Cars: Trading a vehicle for a truck, motor vehicle department, proper paperwork

Question
Hi,
I came across an f-350 pickup truck that I wanted on Craigslist and offered to trade my 98 black Pontiac Sunfire for it. well and me and the owner met,looked over the vehicles,made a bill of sale,passed papers and titles and off I drove with my plate on the truck from my Pontiac.I live in Seekonk,Ma and I want to know what I need to do to be legal..is it 7 days I Have ? or what? can I drive around with the plate on it..it's also inspected & good for Jan of 2008.  Let me know..

thank you
Dave

Answer
Massachusetts' vehicle-registration laws tend to be different from everyone else in the country.  Living in NY, I know it's the ONLY state that doesn't recognize our in-transit permit (allows out-of-staters to buy a vehicle here and transport it home in 30 days, without paying NY state sales tax).  I highly recommend you contact the MA state motor-vehicle department immediately, and I would not drive the truck until you do- you may have no insurance coverage until proper paperwork has been processed.