Registering boat/trailer in Virginia, transporting an newly purchased boat from PO???

[highsider989]

Hi All:

Soon to be a boat owner i hope. In VA I know it takes three weeks to register a boat. In that time can I run it under the old reg from out of state? I cant seem to find anything that explains what you do in the period of time that it takes to register the boat.

Anyone have any idea about tags on the trailer? My question is if the owner takes the tags, aren't I allowed to transport the boat/trailer combo to my home state with out tags? I'll have the titles and the bill of sale.

Thanks

 

[ssobol]

Re: Registering boat/trailer in Virginia, transporting an newly purchased boat from P

Hi All:

Soon to be a boat owner i hope. In VA I know it takes three weeks to register a boat. In that time can I run it under the old reg from out of state? I cant seem to find anything that explains what you do in the period of time that it takes to register the boat.

Anyone have any idea about tags on the trailer? My question is if the owner takes the tags, aren't I allowed to transport the boat/trailer combo to my home state with out tags? I'll have the titles and the bill of sale.

Thanks

You need to get a temporary registration. You can get these at sporting goods stores that sell fishing and hunting licenses (e.g. ****'s). Costs ~$10.

Running without tags runs the risk of getting stopped. If you have the titles and bill of sale and say you just bought it you might get a pass, but don't bet on it. If you get the title for the trailer ahead of time you can take it to the DMV and get the plates before you pick up the boat.

When I sold my last boat, the guy asked about keeping my trailer plates so he could take it home (to Canada). I said no. When he turned up he had managed to get some temp plates he could use.

 

[highsider989]

Re: Registering boat/trailer in Virginia, transporting an newly purchased boat from P

I have a permanent trailer plate, but using that is a bigger no no than no plate, right?

 

[highsider989]

Re: Registering boat/trailer in Virginia, transporting an newly purchased boat from P

Ok, Va trip permit printed, 5 bucks. I'm good to travel, now hopefully the owner has all his paperwork and the boat checks out.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Registering boat/trailer in Virginia, transporting an newly purchased boat from P

Good luck!

In Virginia:

Vehicles go under DMV. I just sold two cars in Va and unlike the old days, the buyer takes your tags to the DMV and turns them in. And yes getting caugfht with another vehicle's tag is worse than no tag.

Boats go under DGIF (Game dept) but they recently opened it up so you can do your boat registration at DMV, too.

But just in case, get a seperate bill of sale, or two signed originals, for the boat and trailer. My DMV clerk was a real PITA about the bill of sale even though I believe that legally one is not required. Doesn't matter; if she says you need one, that's the law in Virginia that day! She wanted a full description of the trailer in the BOS including the VIN. Match the year of the trailer (and boat) on the BOS to the year showing on his titles even if it's wrong. Trust me.

 

[highsider989]

Re: Registering boat/trailer in Virginia, transporting an newly purchased boat from P

Good luck!

In Virginia:

Vehicles go under DMV. I just sold two cars in Va and unlike the old days, the buyer takes your tags to the DMV and turns them in. And yes getting caugfht with another vehicle's tag is worse than no tag.

Boats go under DGIF (Game dept) but they recently opened it up so you can do your boat registration at DMV, too.

But just in case, get a seperate bill of sale, or two signed originals, for the boat and trailer. My DMV clerk was a real PITA about the bill of sale even though I believe that legally one is not required. Doesn't matter; if she says you need one, that's the law in Virginia that day! She wanted a full description of the trailer in the BOS including the VIN. Match the year of the trailer (and boat) on the BOS to the year showing on his titles even if it's wrong. Trust me.

Good info.. I just found out the seller has no title for the boat, it's a 1973, he said that his state didnt start titling boats till the 80's. What do you think? I'm delaying my trip till I talk to the department of game and inland fisherys.....The open at 9AM

 

[highsider989]

Re: Registering boat/trailer in Virginia, transporting an newly purchased boat from P

They said if the boat had not been titles they need the old reg, BOS and no problem. I wonder what the DMV will say about a trailer old enough not to have a vin...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Registering boat/trailer in Virginia, transporting an newly purchased boat from P

They said if the boat had not been titles they need the old reg, BOS and no problem. I wonder what the DMV will say about a trailer old enough not to have a vin...

on the first, unless you have the regulation in writing, be prepared for a different clerk to tell you something different. Or get the name and number of the one who said so.

on the second, check with DMV but same thing--good luck with that one.

 

[highsider989]

Re: Registering boat/trailer in Virginia, transporting an newly purchased boat from P

I spent an hour and 45 minutes in the DMV with my trailer and boat reg. It actual transaction took 15 minutes. The other time was spent dealing with horrible customer service..Once they understood what I was trying to do the got right on it.

So permanent tag on the trailer and title, good. The boat paperwork was sent to the department of game and inland fisheries, I have a 90 day permit to use the boat with the old numbers. I hope I have no issues with the boat title, it was not titled in PA but was registered there.

See you on the water soon..

 

[highsider989]

Re: Registering boat/trailer in Virginia, transporting an newly purchased boat from P

Oh, I did get a trip permit for the boat/trailer but had the expired PO's plate on the trailer on the way home. Got passed by a state trooper he didn't even give me a second look..