WTP-GC wrote:
...and then there's this guy :R:R:R
....
I've received a citation in the past for not having proper registration (on a vehicle with a 4 month expired tag...LOL). If I remember correctly, it was somewhere to the tune of $150, but providing proper registration docs at the courthouse reduced it to somewhere around $25. Driving without a tag is akin to driving without registration. Paying tax in FL at a rate of 6% for, say, a $10,000 RV would equal $600. So I can do the math...
As stated by myself and others who have done this before on many occasions, just make sure the title, bill of sale and all insurances are in order and move along. Assuming there's no other nefarious situation, your vehicle will not be impounded.
Ok, I've got some time this morning.
From Florida http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0320/Sections/0320.02.html
It is a CRIMINAL OFFENSE for a person to drive an automobile if that automobile isn't properly registered. Penalties include;
2nd degree misdemeanor charge
$500 fine
60 days in jail
6 months probation
From Georgia https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2014/title-40/chapter-2/article-1/section-40-2-8
Any person owning or operating any vehicle described in Code Section 40-2-20 on any public highway or street without complying with that Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, provided that a person shall register his or her motor vehicle within 30 days after becoming a resident of this state. Any person renting, leasing, or loaning any vehicle described in Code Section 40-2-20 which is being used on any public highway or street without complying with that Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of $100.00 for each violation; and each day that such vehicle is operated in violation of Code Section 40-2-20 shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct offense
From South Carolina http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c003.php
SECTION 56-3-110. Vehicles required to be registered and licensed.
Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer and special mobile equipment vehicle driven, operated or moved upon a highway in this State shall be registered and licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to drive, operate or move upon a highway or for the owner knowingly to permit to be driven, operated or moved upon a highway any such vehicle which is not registered and licensed and the required fee paid as provided for in this chapter.
Sorry, couldn't find the penalty for this in SC.
North Carolina http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_20/GS_20-50.html
A vehicle intended to be operated upon any highway of this State must be registered with the Division in accordance with G.S. 20-52, and the owner of the vehicle must comply with G.S. 20-52 before operating the vehicle. A vehicle that is leased to an individual who is a resident of this State is a vehicle intended to be operated upon a highway of this State.
Looks like max fine is $140.
Virginia http://www.courts.state.va.us/courts/scv/amendments_tracked/rule_3b_2_uniform_fine%20_schedule.pdf
Failure to obtain registration $76
Failure to carry registration $76
Operating vehicle which is unregistered $76
And finally home in West Virgina... http://www.legis.state.wv.us/wvcode/ChapterEntire.cfm?chap=17a&art=3
17A-3-1. Misdemeanor to violate provisions of article; penalty.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to drive or move or for an owner knowingly to permit to be driven or moved upon any highway any vehicle of a type required to be registered under this article which is not registered or for which a certificate of title has not been issued or applied for or for which the appropriate fee has not been paid when and as required under this article, except as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this chapter: Provided, That in the event of the sale of a vehicle by a person other than a registered dealer, the person purchasing the same may, for a period of not more than ten days, operate such vehicle under the registration of its previous owner and display the registration thereof: Provided, however, That he or she shall have and display on the demand of any proper officer the consent in writing of such previous owner so to use such registration.
Read that last little bit again...
Provided, That in the event of the sale of a vehicle by a person other than a registered dealer, the person purchasing the same may, for a period of not more than ten days, operate such vehicle under the registration of its previous owner and display the registration thereof: Provided, however, That he or she shall have and display on the demand of any proper officer the consent in writing of such previous owner so to use such registration.Again, couldn't easily find punishment in WV.
So, Florida is $500, 60 days in jail and 6 months probation
Georgia is $100 a day
NC is $140
Virginia is $220 (and Virginia State Police are known for their leniency... right?)
OP, I don't think I would risk that on the keyboard lawyers here. If it is ILLEGAL to drive an unregistered motor vehicle in these states, do you really think that the cop will simply let you drive off after getting your tickets? Again, that's assuming you aren't ARRESTED in Florida. No, the cops aren't going to let you continue to drive illegally, because they are assuming your liability if they knowingly allow you to drive illegally. They will tow your vehicle (also called in IMPOUND) until you can provide proof of registration. Again... it should be pretty hard to register your vehicle in West Virginia without some sort of physical inspection... which you won't be able to do if your motorhome is held by the police in another state.
As I stated in my initial post... West Virginia allows you to drive on the previous owner's tags (for up to 10 days) if you purchased directly from the private seller. As I stated in my initial post, I would check with Florida's Motor Vehicle Administration to see if you can drive on the previous owner's tags for a set period of time with a letter of permission.
Otherwise, this comes into play... http://fdhsmv.rapidinsites.com/answer/temporary-tag
you are an out-of-state resident, purchased a vehicle in Florida and want to drive it back home, you are eligible to obtain a temporary license plate for "in-transit" purposes. Proof of insurance (from Florida or your home state), proof of out of state residency such as a driver license, and sales tax in the amount required by your home state must be paid.
**NOTE** Currently, the states of Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia impose a sales tax on motor vehicles, but they DO NOT allow a credit for taxes paid to Florida. Residents of these states should be informed that they must pay sales tax to Florida at the rate imposed by their home state when they purchase a vehicle in Florida and must also pay tax to their home state when the vehicle is licensed in their home state.
Good luck. Now you see why people pay good money for an ACTUAL ATTORNEY, not a clown on the internet. And you can see how people can rack up huge fines and punishments for traffic violations...
