Tips on Buying Cars: Titling and Registering a new car myself, new car sales, dmv office

Question
QUESTION: I would like to buy a new car from a dealership. I will be paying by check with no loan or financing involved. I would like to have the dealership deliver the car to me with title (or MSO) at an address I give them. I will handle registration of the Title (with my state's DMV) myself. Can I do this? Or does the dealer HAVE to title/register new car sales itself?

ANSWER: Greg,

Thanks for your question.  Generally speaking the dealership has to register the vehicle themselves, as long as you are purchasing a vehicle from a dealership inside the state in which your reside.  I am not aware of any state, other than Oklahoma and Missouri, that allows individuals to pay the taxes and register the vehicle themselves.

Hope this helps.

Thanks - JB

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: If I was to purchase the car from an out-of-state dealership from where I reside, would I be able to have the car delivered to me in the state I reside in (or drive the car off the dealership lot into the state I reside in) and complete registration/titling myself in my state of residence?

(If I do not have the car delivered to me, I'm assuming I would visit a local DMV office in the state I purchase the car in to receive a temporary plate that would allow me to drive the car into my state of residence.)

Answer
Greg,

Generally speaking the answer to your question is Yes!  You can can handle all of the taxes/registration yourself if you were to buy a vehicle in another state and intend on registering/titling it in your home state of residence.  

And the dealership that you purchase the vehicle from will be able to give you a temporary tag so you won't need to go to the DMV in that state.  You will just need to go to the DMV in your home county and get permanent plates for your vehicle and pay the sales tax/registration fees.

Hope this helps.

Thanks - JB