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Isaac-1 · 10-25-2016, 07:46 PM

I am starting the process of buying a used motorhome from a private party in Florida then driving it home to Louisiana. The sellers are active members of an online owners forum so I am not concerned with this being a scam. Just looking for practical advice on the process. I have plane tickets to go get it in a week.

What do I need to do about temporary license plates, do I have to deal with the Florida DMV? I assume I can get temporary insurance coverage from my auto policy, will be checking with them in the morning, ....

anything else I need to know from those that may have done this.

p.s. I will be financing this through my local bank also.

krivanj · 10-25-2016, 09:07 PM

I would call the local tax collector for the county in which you are buying the RV. I've done this and have found them to be very helpful answering your questions. Also, why not call them where you live to see what it would take to register it once you get home?

bokobird · 10-25-2016, 09:27 PM

Florida may want to collect sales tax, maybe not. I know you can get temp plates in FL till you get back home (good for 30 days). I know when I purchased in FL from a dealer I had to pay FL sales tax and then because my home state has a HIGHER sales tax rate, I had to make up the difference when registering it here

Isaac-1 · 10-25-2016, 09:42 PM

Thanks I can find lots of stuff on buying from dealers in FL, but private sales I find some varied answers. I do plan to check with my local license plate office tomorrow

George Schweikle · 10-26-2016, 07:32 AM

Good advice. I bought a motorhome that was registered out of state, called the local county clerk office for licensing details, and was told I needed a state fire marshal inspection. My local RV dealer claimed they could do this for $150, but a call to the fire marshals office brought an inspector to my driveway where he did the inspection for under $50. This was back in 2009, but my memory is that all he looked for was the fire extinguisher, smoke detector, and LP gas detector.

On my unit, the smoke detector and LP monitor are hard-wired to the 12V system, and the inspector wanted to see the little green monitor lights illuminated before he gave the approval and placed a little sticker near the outside entry door.

Quote:

Originally Posted by krivanj

I would call the local tax collector for the county in which you are buying the RV. I've done this and have found them to be very helpful answering your questions. Also, why not call them where you live to see what it would take to register it once you get home?

bruceisla · 10-26-2016, 07:48 AM

Go here:

Temporary Tag | FL-DHSMV Answers

timjet · 10-26-2016, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceisla

Go here:

Temporary Tag | FL-DHSMV Answers

Did I read this right; If you buy a coach in FL and you're residence is Arkansas, WV, or Mississippi, you have to pay the sales tax twice, once to FL and once to your residence state?

bruceisla · 10-26-2016, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timjet

Did I read this right; If you buy a coach in FL and you're residence is Arkansas, WV, or Mississippi, you have to pay the sales tax twice, once to FL and once to your residence state?

Yes ... you read that right. Since there is no reciprocal agreement, they both want the tax they would normally impose. Keep in mind you are only reading the Florida position ... other states may not have reciprocal agreements with each other.

http://proxushr.com/wp-content/uploa...s_Website1.htm

timjet · 10-26-2016, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceisla

Yes ... you read that right. Since there is no reciprocal agreement, they both want the tax they would normally impose. Keep in mind you are only reading the Florida position ... other states may not have reciprocal agreements with each other.

http://proxushr.com/wp-content/uploa...s_Website1.htm

I believe that link you posted concerns state withholding tax on income.

BobGed · 10-26-2016, 02:31 PM

I'm not familar with Florida, but couldn't the buyer and seller work out an arrangement where buyer gives the seller some sort of refundable cash deposit, say $100, to leave the plates on the vehicle until the buyer drives it back to his home state. At that point the buyer mails the plates back to the seller who then refunds the deposit.

Yes, there is a certain amount of trust involved on both sides, but let's assume the worst that could happen to either party. If the buyer does not return the plates, can't the seller go to the DMV and say he simply forgot to remove them? He has the $100, or whatever agreed upon amount, to pay for the replacement plates.

On the buyer's part, let's assume he returns the plates but the seller never refunds his deposit. Worse case is he is out the $100, or whatever, but that is probably less than what Florida would have charged in taxes.

Sounds too simple so I'm sure there's something wrong with the idea.

ahicks · 10-26-2016, 02:32 PM

From a private individual, as long as you're reasonably sure sure the title is clear (e.g. no liens, seller is listed as only owner (not a corp. entity or partnership), etc.) a signed title and a bill of sale would have me on my way. Take care of business when you get home.

If you do the temp plate thing in FL. and something gets sideways where you don't have the title back within 30 days, you are going to be between a rock and a hard place with an expired temp plate, FL and your home state pointing fingers at each other regarding blame and where your paperwork is at. Been there, and would suggest you avoid that potential when possible.

bruceisla · 10-26-2016, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timjet

I believe that link you posted concerns state withholding tax on income.

You are right ... my mistake ... can't find the comprehensive list anymore.

wingnut60 · 10-26-2016, 03:36 PM

I believe BobGed has the easiest answer.
Not being from FL, wouldn't the transaction just be funds transferred to seller, buyer takes bill of sale with sales amount stated (prob all states have these forms online) then go to home reg office with bill of sale/VIN number/poss inspection cert/whatever else home state requires?

bokobird · 10-26-2016, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

I believe BobGed has the easiest answer.
Not being from FL, wouldn't the transaction just be funds transferred to seller, buyer takes bill of sale with sales amount stated (prob all states have these forms online) then go to home reg office with bill of sale/VIN number/poss inspection cert/whatever else home state requires?

I would tend to agree, a private seller will NOT be collecting sales tax for the state (how would they ever track that) and therefore the buyer would only wind up paying sales tax in the state they register it in.