Overseas Plates in VA

sapperelite · 05-23-2008, 10:23 AM

I am bringing my car back from Spain with Dip plates on it. It has never been registered in the US so they won't give me plates until the car arrives. Does anyone know how long, or if, I can drive the car for a period of time with the Diplomatic plates on it? I am only concerned with getting it home from Baltimore but don't want to get in trouble for it.

Raja Ventureshield · 05-23-2008, 10:30 AM

few questions.

1. if you have a diplomatic visa, then you have nothing to worry about. (diplomatic license etc).
2. if you have proper registration, you are fine. (i think it's okay for 30 days).

as for no.1, we had diplomatic visas and tags - had diplomatic immunity and did not have to conform to state laws.
as for no.2, when i did euro delivery i had euro tags for the first 20 days or so driving around munich tags with proper paper work, no issues. As soon as I got the tags I reverted back to US tags and there was no problem.

Good luck. I was in Spain a while back. Loved it.
Can't wait to go visit Cordova, Spain near future.

KL2DC · 05-23-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sapperelite

I am bringing my car back from Spain with Dip plates on it. It has never been registered in the US so they won't give me plates until the car arrives. Does anyone know how long, or if, I can drive the car for a period of time with the Diplomatic plates on it? I am only concerned with getting it home from Baltimore but don't want to get in trouble for it.

I think you'll be ok. We have 1 car brought in from Belgium with diplomatic tags as well and was used (sparingly) until the state department tags arrived. Best to check with your protocol officer and OFM though.

sapperelite · 05-23-2008, 10:40 AM

Spain is a great place to visit but not with a brand new BMW when you are an anal SOB. In the past four weeks I have had a kid draw on her with a blue permanent marker, some ass at work didn't like the way I parked so they hit it with their pack and scratched the rear quarter panel and someone rubbed the rear quarter panel with their bumper. Can't wait to get the car to the US where scratches are NOT the norm... Really, it is a great place to visit but I've been here three years and want to be home...

Just got off the phone with the DMV. Finally got through,

The Foreign tags are good for 30 days upon arrival of the vehicle from overseas. If you can prove that you registered the vehicle for 365 days in a foreign country, you don't pay any tax to register... Not too bad.

sapperelite · 05-23-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KL2DC

I think you'll be ok. We have 1 car brought in from Belgium with diplomatic tags as well and was used (sparingly) until the state department tags arrived. Best to check with your protocol officer and OFM though.

Thanks for the input. The DMV hadn't been able to give me an answer at first, they said to contact the local police. Now that I have the answer though, I feel a lot better. I only plan on going from Baltimore to Springfield but feel a lot better knowing it is legal. I don't think Roscoe P. Coltrane of the highway patrol would be too impressed by the Dip plates.

Raja Ventureshield · 05-23-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sapperelite

Spain is a great place to visit but not with a brand new BMW when you are an anal SOB. In the past four weeks I have had a kid draw on her with a blue permanent marker, some ass at work didn't like the way I parked so they hit it with their pack and scratched the rear quarter panel and someone rubbed the rear quarter panel with their bumper. Can't wait to get the car to the US where scratches are NOT the norm... Really, it is a great place to visit but I've been here three years and want to be home...

Just got off the phone with the DMV. Finally got through,

The Foreign tags are good for 30 days upon arrival of the vehicle from overseas. If you can prove that you registered the vehicle for 365 days in a foreign country, you don't pay any tax to register... Not too bad.

hahha. yeah i hear you. Well once the car comes in USA. if you need a proper detail to bring it back to new condition - let me know. I agree, if i lived in Spain, i would be driving a SEAT Leon.

sapperelite · 05-24-2008, 02:34 PM

Raja,

Hate to go off topic with the plates but I am very interested in a very detailed detailing job. I've done the boest I can but my best isn't good enough for me. The car should be on the ground in Springfield O/A 7 July. I have some etching on the front from bugs that I didn't get off quick enough and the above mentioned love taps. How much notice do you need to make the appointment? Do you do the detailing during the week or weekends also? I wouldn't mind being there to see someone who knows what they're doing work...

05-23-2008, 10:23 AM	#1
sapperelite Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 219 Posts Drives: 07 335XI, 03 Wrangler Sport Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Springfield, VA iTrader: (0)	Overseas Plates in VA I am bringing my car back from Spain with Dip plates on it. It has never been registered in the US so they won't give me plates until the car arrives. Does anyone know how long, or if, I can drive the car for a period of time with the Diplomatic plates on it? I am only concerned with getting it home from Baltimore but don't want to get in trouble for it.
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05-23-2008, 10:30 AM	#2
Raja Ventureshield Major General 288 Rep 5,686 Posts Drives: BMW M3 coupe Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (6)	few questions. 1. if you have a diplomatic visa, then you have nothing to worry about. (diplomatic license etc). 2. if you have proper registration, you are fine. (i think it's okay for 30 days). as for no.1, we had diplomatic visas and tags - had diplomatic immunity and did not have to conform to state laws. as for no.2, when i did euro delivery i had euro tags for the first 20 days or so driving around munich tags with proper paper work, no issues. As soon as I got the tags I reverted back to US tags and there was no problem. Good luck. I was in Spain a while back. Loved it. Can't wait to go visit Cordova, Spain near future.
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05-23-2008, 10:40 AM	#4
sapperelite Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 219 Posts Drives: 07 335XI, 03 Wrangler Sport Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Springfield, VA iTrader: (0)	Spain is a great place to visit but not with a brand new BMW when you are an anal SOB. In the past four weeks I have had a kid draw on her with a blue permanent marker, some ass at work didn't like the way I parked so they hit it with their pack and scratched the rear quarter panel and someone rubbed the rear quarter panel with their bumper. Can't wait to get the car to the US where scratches are NOT the norm... Really, it is a great place to visit but I've been here three years and want to be home... Just got off the phone with the DMV. Finally got through, The Foreign tags are good for 30 days upon arrival of the vehicle from overseas. If you can prove that you registered the vehicle for 365 days in a foreign country, you don't pay any tax to register... Not too bad.
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05-24-2008, 02:34 PM	#7
sapperelite Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 219 Posts Drives: 07 335XI, 03 Wrangler Sport Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Springfield, VA iTrader: (0)	Raja, Hate to go off topic with the plates but I am very interested in a very detailed detailing job. I've done the boest I can but my best isn't good enough for me. The car should be on the ground in Springfield O/A 7 July. I have some etching on the front from bugs that I didn't get off quick enough and the above mentioned love taps. How much notice do you need to make the appointment? Do you do the detailing during the week or weekends also? I wouldn't mind being there to see someone who knows what they're doing work...
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