Can I Drive Home After Buying a Car?

Having just purchased a new car, you may want to take some time to enjoy it. The most important portions of the car-buying process, such as registering your vehicle and arranging maintenance, occur after you have the keys.  

But can I drive home after buying a car? The answer is:

The answer is a definite no! In such case, the answer is yes if you have insurance coverage. Even to carry your new car inside the house, you must have insurance. Uninsured vehicles may result in harsh fines, license suspension, or even confiscation.

So be sure your new car is fully covered before you take it out for a drive. For an emergency case you can use drive away insurance.

Purchasing the first vehicle is an exciting moment. You must take a few procedures before enjoying it in your driveway. Learn about drive-away car insurance and what you should do after purchasing a vehicle in this blog.

Let’s continue!

Actions to Take Once You Get a New Car

There are a few things you need to get done before you take your new automobile out for a spin. The following should be done once you buy a new car:

Getting Car Insurance:

According to U.S. News, if you’ve paid in full for your new automobile, you don’t have to insure it against accidents or theft. 

Liability insurance is required to protect other motorists from their acts.

Do your homework on different insurance companies, and be sure to go through the tiny print before committing to anything.

Driveway insurance allows you to drive home with your new automobile temporarily.

Get the Title: 

Additionally, the dealership should sign your name on the label, certifying that you are the new owner. Verify that the odometer reading on the title is correct.

It’s possible that the dealership won’t give you the title to your new automobile if you borrowed money to pay for it. Dealers are required by law in several jurisdictions to provide your title to the appropriate state office for processing.

Your vehicle’s sales receipt, or “bill of sale,” will list who sold it to whom, how much it cost, and any other stipulations that may have applied. Sales tax is calculated using it. When you register your new car with your state, you’ll need it as well.

Get Temporary Tags: 

To help you out, most dealerships will grant you a 30-day grace period to register your new car. Most dealerships provide you with 30-day registration paperwork and the actual tags for your vehicle. 

If you get stopped over and need to establish that you own the vehicle, you can have this temporary registration on hand.

Obtain a Driver’s License:

You must pay the registration charge and register your vehicle before the 30-day grace period. Driving your new car without a registration plate is against the law. New car registration and permanent license plates may be available at the dealership in some situations.

If you want to register your car, you’ll almost always need to visit your state’s DMV. 

Ensure you have your car’s title, loan documentation, and proof of insurance ready before you visit the DMV.

Scheduled Maintenance: 

Buying a new vehicle gives you the impression that it won’t require maintenance for several weeks or months.

As tempting as it may be to scrimp on auto maintenance to save money, doing so might cost you more in the long term.

Take a look at the Recalls:

Automakers occasionally have to recall new models to upgrade or replace high-tech components because new cars typically rely on new technology. Recalls might impact your safety. Therefore, you should be aware of them.

When you acquire a car, check the NHTSA database for recalls by entering your vehicle identifying number (VIN). Be on the lookout for fresh recalls many times a year.

Preserve Your Paperwork:

According to Tomorrow Makers, car-related documents should be kept in a safe place. A duplicate of your driver’s license and registration should always be kept in your vehicle.

A bill of sale, tax receipts, insurance certificate, and financing documentation are just a few examples of what you should have on hand.

What Does Drive Away Insurance Mean?

As the name suggests, drive-away insurance is a type of short-term coverage that lets you get behind the wheel of your new automobile and drive it home before you’ve had time to secure an annual policy.

You might make use of it as a rudimentary cover for your just bought car if you like.

In order to drive a new vehicle off the lot, you’ll need insurance coverage in place. Your auto dealer may give you a “drive-away” insurance policy that lasts five to seven days.

This offer may be ideal for you, but for the majority, it’s prohibitively expensive and rigid, requiring you to pay for coverage you don’t need.

Many private sellers cannot provide auto insurance for a new vehicle because of the rising practice of buying cars online through sites like eBay and Gumtree.

If you suffer an accident or a breakdown while driving the automobile you bought, having drive-away insurance might be a lifesaver.

A drive-away vehicle insurance policy is the most convenient and least expensive option to acquire full coverage for the period needed.

Bottom Line

Getting a one-time insurance coverage might save you both time and money when you’re looking for the finest insurance discounts for new drivers.

In addition to putting yourself and other drivers in danger, driving a vehicle without insurance can be too expensive for many people.

The cost of a new auto insurance coverage depends on various criteria, just like any other insurance policy. Drive-away insurance costs might vary depending on multiple factors, including the make and model of automobile you wish to cover and your work.