Advice needed: vehicle from out of state
 

How does buying a vehicle from a private seller out of state work in relation to paying taxes? Would I bring a receipt to the other state's DMV and cut them a check? I think I saw that New Jersey requires the difference between the two states' tax % if there is any (i.e. if I bought a motorcycle from a state whose taxes were 4%, I would have to pay NJ 3%). Has anyone done this before?

you pay the owner, and then bring the title to OUR dmv and pay tax here

Thanks!

np, just went through it when i bought my trailer from ct.

While I'm asking, do I have to get the motorcycle inspected as soon as I register it here, or is an out of state inspection ok?

You have 10 days usually. Its a pain to do it at MVC you have to have a proper helmet with glow in the dark sticker on 4 points of the helmet. for 10 bucks go to a dealer and get it done.

Well alright, good to know! Thank you very much.

If you can, get the title from the owner, and a signed, detailed bill of sale. Sometimes the people at the DMV can be a real PITA and ask for one. When I got my first '79 T/A they did that to me and the previous owner was real slow in sending me one. It's a good idea to get him to write it up and sign it right before you hand over the money.

edit- and a private sale out of state means you pay for the vehicle and pay the tax on it when you register it here in NJ.

Make up a bill of sale with the vehicle's VIN on it and both of you sign it. Then have it notarized. It seems like you need this 50% of the time with dmv and out of state stuff is even tougher. You will pay taxes to the state of NJ when you title the car.

Would I need to have the seller present to get something notarized? (Obviously I'm new to this, lol).

for it to be legal, yes. Both of you would have to sign while the notary watches, then stamps it. Every town hall has a notary, so if you are buying it in say Cedar Grove, you would go to the town hall and ask for a notary. A lot of municipal buildings have one around, like libraries, police stations, etc. But you'll have to call in advance to find out, and ask when they are working. Most people do it for free, so I tip em like $20.

DMV didn't bother me when I bought my Jeep from NY. The lady at the counter just asked me what I paid for it, then wrote it on the NY title and collected the tax for what I told her it cost. A notarized Bill of Sale is never a bad idea though....

And you'll have 14 days to get it inspected.

- Justin

yea, the bill of sale is not a requirement, but sometimes they ask for it if the person at the DMV is in a bad mood or wants to make your life difficult. I always get one now after the fiasco with my '79. And I get it before I hand over the money.

I had to get my 70 SS396 notarized in Canada! It seems to be a 50/50 chance of having them want the title or bill of sale notarized. Out of state or country makes the odds go up some. I would have the guy sign the bill of sale and you can find a notary to sign it later. I have several people who are notaries at work.