NJ - Temporary Tag (30 days) on Car expiring, what to do?

It is temporary, it is expiring, the thing to do is get a real plate. Go to the DMV, pay your registration fee, and walk away with a plate. It really is that simple.

If you drive with a temp tag, that's illegal. You may not be caught because it is not a huge offense and the police have better things to do. However, in the past few years they have become more vigilant about expired temp tags because they are routinely used for illicit activities. And most are so easy to counterfeit that some unscrupulous people just keep printing new temp tags at home and not registering their vehicles for real for much longer.

To top it off, an out of state temp tag (doesn't matter which states) is an immediate red flag.

 

Weird. In MA they don't even bother issuing temp tags. I drove off with my registration in the glove compartment and my plates attached.

I suggest contacting your DMV to see what they expect in this situation.

 

If if is like here in Virginia, you pay the dealer the DMV fee when you buy the car. They then can issue the temporary tags.
At this late date, I would try to contact the dealer manager, in person if necessary. They cannot deny things when the temporary tag is right there.

 

Yes, but you don't have to do that. Anytime we have done that with a new car, we have to go back to the dealership you bought it from and they "install the plates" and put their crappy dealership plate ring around them too. I've never had the dealer mail me plates.

I generally just tell them I don't need or want them to do the plates and drive off the lot with no tags/plates but I do have the freshly signed contract and that's good enough for a couple days. Just drive from the dealership to the DMV, have the plates in a few minutes and off you go. You gain nothing with temp tags because it is not like when you register you get 1 year from the date of the temp expiration, it is still 1 year from purchase.

If the dealer has already submitted the paperwork, or even received the plates, then you have to go through the dealer. But if they haven't done that yet, you can go to the DMV and register it to get your plates. Then the dealership should give you back that registration money as you didn't need them to do it.

 

The dealer Fed-Exed my plates to me, but they are 150 miles away from my home. The salesman (Gen 1 Prius owner) handled that for me.

 

Not if you don't have title to the vehicle yet it isn't that simple at all.

Contact the DMV. Give them the VIN from your paperwork.

They can tell you if THEY have it for processing yet. If they DO and can't get it done before the 1st they should issue you a new temp. plate.

If they do NOT have it for processing yet, they might want to know the dealers name and location.
In that case you probably need to contact the dealer. They might be able to give you another temp and send it in the mail.

What you should NOT do is.......nothing.
If you have no registration and no title you might get towed.
Be sure to carry your paper work (bill of sale) with you until this is cleared up.

 

I also purchased in NJ, but I'm located in MD. The dealer FedEx's me my MD plates.


iPhone ?

 

The rules vary from State to State.
Some places you have the option to do it yourself and in some you don't.
But either way, if you start out one way it is likely to create a BIG mess if you try to change your mind in the middle.

The OP should call HIS DMV and ask what rules apply to HIM.

 

Yep, contact the local vehicle licensing office in your state and ask what the procedure is for your situation. Ask how to file a complaint against the dealership with the state agency that issues auto titles & plates (I think that's the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission) . The dealership is licensed by the state as a vehicle license agent.
State of New Jersey - Motor Vehicle Commission

Phone the dealership and ask to be transferred to the person who handles licenses and registrations. If that doesn't get results, phone the dealership and ask to speak with the general manager. Know ahead of time what you want, and business-courteously demand it. If the excuses sound somewhat plausible, demand another temporary permit, it that's allowed by your state.

 

i would just drive it, cops don't pay attention to that stuff.

 

until you get in an accident, your fault or not; or get a ticket, no matter how minor, including a parking ticket

 

sit low, and drive slow.

 

Keep your bill of sale in your glovebox to prove you bought the car legitimately.

 

It sure would be important to know whether the dealer was responsible for sending in the registration and collected the taxes from the buyer.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Assumed yes.
Otherwise why would the dealer be giving you a temp. plate ??

 

As you said, the practice differ from state to state. In my state, if I buy a car from a dealer, they would give me a temp, and I pay sales tax and title fee to them, but a buyer is responsible for paying excise tax at their resident town/city and applying for registration and get a permanent plate on their own. I have no idea what system NJ has, but it is important to follow the rule and regulation.

I just checked this site. Looks like in NJ, dealer is responsible for registration. New Jersey Car Registration Requirements & Steps | DMV.org

Registering a Vehicle in New Jersey
The registration process varies based on whether you are purchasing your vehicle from a dealership or from a private individual.

You may also transfer your registration from an old vehicle to a new one, while still using the same license plates (see below).

Vehicles Purchased at a Dealership
The dealership will handle the titling and registration of your newly purchased vehicle, regardless of whether it is new or used. The payment of sales tax will be included in the purchase price of the vehicle.

 

Don't forget the hoodie pulled down low . . . .

 

Perfect score? I'd slam them. If it costs someone enough money maybe next time they can deliver the plates (or paperwork) that they collected their BS fee for.

Next time, delivery should be discussed and made part of the contract before signing.