Quality Used Vehicle Purchase

[HiloJulie]

Yeah, I guess I got the runaround from the PA DOT.

To further clarify, yes, you CANNOT title and register a car IN Pennsylvania without being a resident of Pennsylvania and having a Pennsylvania Driver's License.

However, buying a car as a Hawaii resident for the sole purpose of transporting it to Hawaii to be titled and registered in Hawaii is perfectly legal.

Pennsylvania has very specific rules on the "sellers" signature(s) being duly notarized.

If it's a brand-new car, the dealer will provide the MSO/MCO (Manufacturers Statement/Certificate of Manufacture - which is essentially the cars "birth certificate.") Also, the funds to purchase the car would be required to be wired in "immediately available" funds.

If it's a used car, the seller(s) or the dealer simply sign the title over and have their signatures notarized. 

Financing this type of transaction is virtually impossible however depending on several factors and your source of financing could be done.

You will also need a VIN specific insurance card. 

Then instead of playing 20 questions with the DMV - just go to a company like this one:

https://www.johnsautotags.com/services/in-transit-tags/

Or dozens of others. One stop shopping.

If buying the car from a dealer new or used, the dealer has the right to hold the car UNTIL you have the in-transit tags and temporary registration.

If you're intending to drive the car from Pennsylvania to one of the West Coast Ports, you're legal, but be prepared to be stopped often and have the paperwork all ready.

Needless to say, that all of this requires you to be in person.