(MVD). If you’re not an AZ resident but are buying a car there, then you’ll need to obtain a 90-Day Non-Resident Permit in order to drive your car home.

If you’ve ever bought a car before, you know the paperwork can seem endless. If you’re buying a car in a state that’s different from your state of residence, then expect some additional paper pushing on top of that!

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How to buy a car out of state as an Arizona resident

You live in

Phoenix

and have been shopping for a new car, and you’ve finally found the one you want—a few states over. But not to worry, you can still get the car of your dreams! Fortunately, it’s fairly easy for an AZ resident to buy a car in another state and then bring it home. Here’s what you need to know!

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), if an Arizona resident buys a car at a dealership out of state, the dealership is responsible for submitting the following for the AZ title and registration:

A signed and completed

Title and Registration application

that includes a copy of the buyer’s AZ driver’s license or ID

An emissions compliance form (

if required

)

The out-of-state title or vehicle’s Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin

Purchase order or invoice

A signed Power of Attorney (if applicable)

If the car is leased, a

Lessor Authorization Form

from the lessor

Secure Odometer Disclosure or

Power of Attorney with Odometer Disclosure

A signed and notarized

Vehicle License Tax exemption form

(if applicable)

Payment of all title and registration fees

AZ State/City Vehicle Use Tax

That’s a lot of paperwork! Fortunately, you can leave the bulk of the work to the dealer.

And remember, you’ll have to pay taxes for the purchase of your new car to the state of Arizona, not the state you bought it in. You can use the

Vehicle Use Tax Calculator

to figure out what you’ll owe, but the dealership should be able to help you out here as well.

If you’re buying a car from a private party, then you’ll have to take care of your own paperwork. Here’s what you’ll need to get your newly purchased out-of-state car titled in AZ:

A completed Title and Registration Application

A completed

emissions compliance form

(Phoenix and Tucson areas only)

A Level I vehicle inspection, if the out-of-state title and/or registration is missing

An out-of-state title (or registration, if the title is held by a lienholder)

Out-of-state license plates

A lien clearance (if applicable)

Power of Attorney from the lessor (original or certified copy), if it’s a leased vehicle

Payment of all applicable title and registration fees

You can submit these to the

MVD office

that’s most convenient for you, and you can even make an appointment to speed things up.

MORE:

Arizona’s vehicle license tax (VLT) explained

How to buy a car in Arizona if you live out of state

So what about if you live in another state but want to buy a car in Arizona? In addition to whatever requirements you’ll need to satisfy in your home state, you’ll also need to get a 90-Day Non-Resident Registration Permit in order to be able to drive your car home.

Here’s what’s needed for that:

Ownership documentation: this can be a title and registration, notarized bill of sale, dealership invoice, or a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin

Proof of non-residency: an out-of-state driver’s license or a Reservation and Tribal enrollment/census number/identification number

As far as taxes go, what you’ll need to pay will depend on your state of residence. The Arizona Department of Revenue has some extensive information about the

taxation procedures for non-residents

who buy a car in AZ, so make sure to do your homework. But if you’re purchasing a car at a dealership, they’ll be able to help you with the process.

What if I don’t have a physical title?

If you don’t have the physical title to the car, then you’ll need to

apply for a replacement title

through ADOT (or the state that the vehicle is titled in).

If your vehicle is a lease or you’re getting it financed, then it will be a little more complicated. You’ll need to contact your lessor or lienholder for assistance, but the process should still be pretty straightforward.

Tips for buying a vehicle out of state

With the prevalence of online shopping and companies that sell cars on a national scale, it’s easier than ever to buy a car in another state. It can often mean that you’ll get a model or a price that might not be available where you are, but there are still a few extra wrinkles to iron out. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re buying a car out of state:

Always get a vehicle history report. This is particularly key if you’re buying a used car from a private owner. Services like

CARFAX

provide vehicle history reports that will let you know if the car has been involved in any accidents or had any major damage to it.

Get your vehicle inspection done at home. No matter where you bought it, your car will need to meet the vehicle and emissions requirements of where you live. Make sure you know what these are (and how they might differ from where the car is being purchased).

Know your home state’s vehicle sales tax laws. You’ll be paying taxes on your car to your home state, not the state of purchase. Make sure you have an idea of what you’ll owe so you won’t have any surprises.

Buy car insurance before you leave the dealership. Even if you’re headed directly back to your home state, make sure you have the appropriate required car insurance before you hit the road.

MORE:

Arizona minimum car insurance laws

How to save on car insurance in Arizona

Every state has different requirements for the minimum amount of car insurance you must have, and it can be a bit confusing (and annoying) to try to keep it all straight when you’re buying a car out of state!

Fortunately,

Jerry

can make this aspect of your purchase a snap. Simply download the top-rated app, answer a few simple questions, and in a matter of seconds, you’ll have a selection of competitive

car insurance

quotes to choose from. All you’ll need to do is make your pick, and Jerry will handle the sign-up process.

“I moved states recently and my old provider didn’t cover me anymore, so I tried using
Jerry
. They handled everything from fetching the quotes to purchasing the new policy. Now I save $30 a month with Progressive!” —Kay J.

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