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I successfully shipped my car for dealer repairs to FL. I decided to keep the car on the mainland. The car has VI plates and title with plates expiring in July 2018. FL is NOT my home state so I have no intention of registering in FL. The car was purchased new in NJ and I have a copy of an old title and invoices, sales tax paid etc. My intention is to drive the car from FL to NJ and get it registered in NJ. I have purchased mainland insurance so insurance is not an issue.
My question is: can I use my VI license plates while driving to NJ? Am I setting myself up for being an easy target for LEO along the I-95 corridor? Is this legal? Is this tolerated? I do not want any trouble with authorities especially since they all seem to be on fire to arrest, investigate or even trigger happy? Again, I have a valid mainland car insurance.
Is there an option for obtaining 30 days temporary license plates in FL DMV or from the dealer?
I do not want to ship the car to NJ. Worse option and logistical nightmare.
Posted : March 24, 2018 2:15 pm
It would seem that the VI plates are just like any other out-of-state plate in my opinion.
Posted : March 24, 2018 3:55 pm
I've seen cars with Hawaii plates driving in the mainland. Guam too. Current license, registration, and insurance paperwork would be a must have. Also maybe the shipping paperwork to prove recently delivery. And be prepared for all kinds of looks and questions and requests for directions to that magic bridge at the road stops.
There used to be requirements that the vehicle needed to be inspected, in particular emissions when importing it back from the Caribbean due to only leaded gas being available there which would destroy the catalytic converters. That may no longer be a requirement from the VI at least as it seems we only have unleaded now.
Posted : March 24, 2018 4:10 pm
neighbors on stx have sons who were military for over 20 years each. They kept all autos registered and plated in stx, and used them with the VI plates all over the US
Posted : March 25, 2018 12:03 am
I have seen VI plates in Tampa.
Posted : March 25, 2018 9:43 am
Topic starter
All that sounds encouraging. HI is a state so is probably not a good analogy. Guam seems to be in the same boat as VI. I feel better now. However, attracting attention w my VI plates is not on my list so hopefully within two weeks I will be able to turn them.
My car is exempted from emission testing. VI BMV does such a great safety checks that my car should be found safe for years to come 😛
Posted : March 25, 2018 10:38 am
