Buying a Car In Tennessee From Out Of State
Buying a car in Tennessee from out of state can be a complicated process. Find out more here.
Written by Talullah Blanco
Reviewed by Lisa Steuer McArdle
You’ll need to submit an application for a certificate of title and registration through the local county clerk if you bought a vehicle from an out-of-state car dealer or private seller and want to register it in Tennessee.
Purchasing a new vehicle from across state lines can save you money, but it also can be a complicated process that’s difficult to navigate. Not to mention, the paperwork requirements change depending on where you live!
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How to buy a car out of state as a Tennessee resident
You live in Tennessee and you bought a car in another state to save money or maybe your dream classic was cross country. Either way, you’ll have to apply for a Tennessee title and registration through the county clerk before the out-of-state temporary tag expires.
Here are the documents you’ll need to bring to your local
county clerk's office
to apply for a new vehicle with Tennessee title and registration:- Proof of identification and Tennessee residency
- Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin
- New vehicle invoice
- Copy of current registration if you plan on transferring your license plate
If you're submitting an application for a used vehicle, you’ll also need a valid certificate of title and an
odometer disclosure statement
for vehicles manufactured in 2011 and later. Along with the application documents, you’ll also need to bring the following:
- Original out-of-state vehicle title
- Completed bill of sale signed by all parties as proof of purchase price
- Proof of Tennessee residency
- Driver’s license
- Payment for applicable county title registration fee and title transfer fee
Tennessee sales tax and single article tax will be due and collected by the local county clerk when you title and register your vehicle if the sales tax rate is lower in the state where you purchased the vehicle or the dealership did not collect Tennessee taxes at the time of the purchase.
Once all your documents are submitted and taxes are paid, you’ll be issued a Tennessee title and registration!
How to buy a car in Tennessee if you live out of state
When it comes to buying a car in Tennessee as an out-of-state resident, the process is pretty much the same with slight variations depending on where you are registering the vehicle. Here’s what you can expect to do:
- Get a valid bill of sale for the vehicle purchase (some states require a notarized bill of sale)
- Bring the bill of sale, photo ID, proof of insurance and residency, odometer disclosure, and any other state-required documents for registration to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- Complete your vehicle registration in your state of residency
Depending on where you live, you might need to pay local sales tax or the difference between Tennessee sales tax and where you register the car.
What if I don’t have a physical title?
Tennessee requires the original out-of-state vehicle title before you can register your car. If you don’t have that, you’ll need to request a duplicate of the original title from the DMV in the state where you bought the car!
MORE: Title transfer in Tennessee
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Tips for buying a vehicle out of state
There are plenty of reasons to purchase a vehicle in another state, from purchasing a vehicle that isn’t available somewhere else or taking advantage of a lower listing price in another place. Here are a few tips to help you avoid further complicating an already complicated process:
- Always get the vehicle history report. If you’re buying a used car from a private owner, this step is especially important.CARFAXwill provide you with a vehicle history report that informs you of regular maintenance and or alert you of any accidents or issues.
- Schedule your vehicle inspection at home. Your car will need to pass a vehicle inspection to meet requirements in the state you live, drive and register the vehicle.
- Check to see if you need an emissions test. While Tennessee no longer requires emissions testing for vehicle titling or registration, most states do! Brush up on your local state DEQ requirements.
- Get to know your home state’s vehicle sales tax laws. When you purchase a vehicle out of state, you pay for sales tax in the state you plan to register it in, not the state you bought it.
- Purchase car insurance before you drive off the lot. You’ll need to carry coverage that meetsTennessee's minimum car insurance requirementsbefore your road trip back home.
How to save on car insurance in Tennessee
We know buying
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is just one more task on the already exhaustive list of paperwork and documents you need to file when buying a vehicle out of state. That’s why Jerry
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