Forum Discussion

Naio's avatar
Naio
Explorer II
May 06, 2016

Titling/registration nightmare. Advice?

So there is a van I want to buy. It's located in AZ, titled in MO, and I am going to register it in a third state, where my S&B is.

I've talked to the DMVs in all 3 states. None will issue a trip permit. I can register in my home state by mail, but I don't have the time to hang out in the seller's state and wait for snail mail.

I don't have anything big enough to tow the van.

I don't get any kind of hinky vibe from the seller. He seems like a straight up guy. Nevertheless, I want to make sure all is in order before I take the van. I sure don't want to end up with some kind of title problem. I also don't want to drive it across multiple states with no registration.

Is there some solution I am not seeing, here?
  • Naio's avatar
    Naio
    Explorer II
    wnjj wrote:
    Can the seller register it or get a trip permit before you take possession?


    He can't get a trip permit -- AZ only does it for vehicles titled in AZ, and MO only for new owners.

    He could theoretically title it in AZ, but he doesn't want to. I don't know if it has smog requirements. The main issue is that he is wayyyyyyy out in the boonies, a hundred or two miles from a dmv office.
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    Can the seller register it or get a trip permit before you take possession?