Trailer plate for out of state purchase?

family affair

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
1,437
Reaction score
339
Points
83
Location
Ohio
Model
Islander
If I buy a boat and trailer out of Florida and trailer it home (to another state), what do I do for the trailer plate?
 

magicalbill

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Aug 15, 2005
Messages
1,663
Reaction score
314
Points
83
Location
Indiana
Model
Marlin
I would think the bill of sale (proof of purchase) would be sufficent to get you home.
 

family affair

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
1,437
Reaction score
339
Points
83
Location
Ohio
Model
Islander
You could be right, but I can't imagine covering all those states without a plate.

Anyone know for sure?
 

Parthery

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Jan 31, 2005
Messages
2,589
Reaction score
220
Points
63
Location
Atlanta, GA
As long as you have the bill of sale, you are fine.

But - if you feel more comfortable, any FL Tax Collector's office will print you a 30 day temporary tag. I think it runs about $10 or so.
 

family affair

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
1,437
Reaction score
339
Points
83
Location
Ohio
Model
Islander
I was able to confirm the BoS being sufficient.
That $10 might be money well spent to avoid a headache.

What exactly is a "tax collectors office?" Is this part of the DMV or title office?
 

Parthery

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Jan 31, 2005
Messages
2,589
Reaction score
220
Points
63
Location
Atlanta, GA
Every county has a tax collector and they handle the tag and title transactions. Some would refer to it as the DMV...although to me - when I think DMV, I think where you go to get your drivers license.

In a handful of counties (Miami Dade, Broward, Volusia,) there are private agencies that have contracted with the county. These offices are open on Saturdays. Otherwise, most of them are business hours only.

Here is a link to the list.. http://www.flhsmv.gov/offices/
 

Daman858

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Jul 30, 2007
Messages
318
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Location
Pawleys Island, SC
Here in South Carolina, we don't need no stinkin' boat trailer tags, just boat registration which is $30...for three years!
 

gradyVT

Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2010
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
Points
0
I just picked up a used boat out of state and my DMV said the boat needed to be registered.

My options (told to me from DMV) were
1. ask to use the current owners plates until I got home then mail them back.
2. Go to the DMV in the state where I was buying the boat with Bill of Sale and get 30 day temp tags
3. Get my plates before I went. You and current owner could do bill of sale via fax and that would work to get plates.

I ended up getting a new trailer at last minute as the one with the boat was not rated for enough weight, so the dealer got me set up with temp plates.

I think a bill of sale would only work if the boat was still registered in the sellers name. If it is not registered to anyone I don't think it can be driven down the road legally. Just my thoughts

Brian
 

family affair

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
1,437
Reaction score
339
Points
83
Location
Ohio
Model
Islander
The owner let me use his tag.
I'm a 1st time 1999 GW Voyager owner!! Trailered from FL to OH. Flawless experience.
 

magicalbill

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Aug 15, 2005
Messages
1,663
Reaction score
314
Points
83
Location
Indiana
Model
Marlin
Good! Glad it went well. Enjoy it to the max..
I'm assuming Lake Erie? If so where? The Islands? Cleveland? Conneaut?
We're in a heat wave here..Splash that thing while you still can.
Will you trailer everywhere or will you slip it for the season?

I seem to have lots of questions tonite...
 

family affair

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
1,437
Reaction score
339
Points
83
Location
Ohio
Model
Islander
Yes, Erie; just west of Cleveland.

I'd like to trailer it, but the electric winch is a slow PIA. We might rack it in the summer and bring home in the off season.