Michigan "In-Transit" Temporary Plates Info?

Hi everyone,

I purchased a used street car from an individual a bit North of Detroit. At first, I was going to fly-in, stop at a local Michigan Secretary of State office (DMV), complete the required paperwork with the seller, grab some temporary "in-transit" 30-day plates and drive it back home in New York State. I would then visit my local DMV complete their required paperwork and be done.

Unfortunately, I guess I'm very stupid because I can't find any info about how to get temporary in-transit plates in Michigan as an out of state purchaser.

In NY, a non-resident purchasing a car in NY, can stop at any DMV branch, fill out the required paperwork and receive in-transit temporary 30-day plates to drive it back to their out of state residence for a nominal charge. All the requirements, forms, and instructions are online. They note any NY resident purchasing a vehicle out of state will need to work with that state's DMV.

Also, in NY, no residents are issues temporary plates because dealers provide permanent plates and individual walk out any DMV branch with permanent plates for private transactions. Michigan seems to provide everyone with temporary plates until they are mailed their permanent plates many weeks later.

Blan "B" is to borrow an open car trailer and make a road trip next week.

Any experts with some advice?

Fly-in and drive home is still my first choice.

Craig

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Craig Henry

Hi everyone,

I purchased a used street car from an individual a bit North of Detroit. At first, I was going to fly-in, stop at a local Michigan Secretary of State office (DMV), complete the required paperwork with the seller, grab some temporary "in-transit" 30-day plates and drive it back home in New York State. I would then visit my local DMV complete their required paperwork and be done.

Unfortunately, I guess I'm very stupid because I can't find any info about how to get temporary in-transit plates in Michigan as an out of state purchaser.

In NY, a non-resident purchasing a car in NY, can stop at any DMV branch, fill out the required paperwork and receive in-transit temporary 30-day plates to drive it back to their out of state residence for a nominal charge. All the requirements, forms, and instructions are online. They note any NY resident purchasing a vehicle out of state will need to work with that state's DMV.

Also, in NY, no residents are issues temporary plates because dealers provide permanent plates and individual walk out any DMV branch with permanent plates for private transactions. Michigan seems to provide everyone with temporary plates until they are mailed their permanent plates many weeks later.

Blan "B" is to borrow an open car trailer and make a road trip next week.

Any experts with some advice?

Fly-in and drive home is still my first choice.

Craig

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First, do not expect anything at a Michigan Secretary of State Office to be done quickly or on the first try unless it is a very typical transaction and if you have made an appointment on line. Second offices very in their service by location and some are helpful and others can not be bothered.

It is my understanding that if you have a bill of sale and title signed over to you a plate is not required for transit.
This is what I did in June as I purchased a vehicle out of an estate and drove it to Michigan from St. Louis. I had no issues even though the plate was expired. I do not think there is any requirement to do anything in Michigan before taking the vehicle out of state.

Please also be advised if you are buying a vehicle that has antique plates in Michigan there have been huge issues with the state losing the records of the vehicle in their system. It took me about two months last year to get a plate issued for one of my vehicles because the state lost it in their system. They refused to renew the vehicle even though I brought in the state issued registration and state issued title. They first sent the plate to my address of 31 years ago when i first registered the vehicle in Michigan. Finally a sympathetic clerk worked the computer system for about 10 minutes and found the car in their records. My point is unless it is a newer vehicle with a regular registration do not count on the Michigan Secretary of State to resolve anything on the first trip.

drive via southern Ontario

I have lived in Michigan, Florida, and Tennessee. In all cases buying a vehicle used, you could transit from the point of sale to your residence or storage facility without a plate provided you had the bill of sale and proof of insurance. The title is not necessary as sometimes it takes a month to get a title released, I drove a 64 Corvette from Denver, Colorado back to Detroit Michigan with no tag on it and even had a state trooper in Nebraska fill up at the gas station pump behind me and he never even asked why there was no plate on the car

I would not drive it through Southern Ontario, or cross the border until you have it properly titled and registered in your home state