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In Arizona, the license plate stays with the seller. Plates are registered to an individual, not the vehicle. The seller is required by law to remove their plate before you take possession of the car. Do not drive the car with the seller's plates on it.
To drive your newly purchased car home or to an MVD office, you must get a "Restricted Use 3-Day Permit." This temporary permit can be easily purchased and printed online through the AZ MVD Now website. This is essential for legally driving on major routes like I-40, I-17, or Highway 89.
To legally transfer ownership, the seller must sign the back of the title. In Arizona, this signature must be notarized to be valid. You can find notary services at local banks, shipping stores, and authorized third-party MVD providers in cities like Flagstaff, Williams, and Page. Once you have the signed and notarized title, take it to a local MVD office or an authorized provider to complete the transfer and register the vehicle in your name.
If the seller cannot find the title, they must apply for a duplicate title from the Arizona MVD before they can legally sell the vehicle to you. Do not exchange money for a car without receiving a properly signed and notarized title in hand.
Absolutely. A trusted mechanic should inspect any vehicle before you buy. Reputable auto shops can be found in Flagstaff, Williams, and Page. Have them specifically check for rust on the undercarriage and look at the condition of the tires, brakes, and 4-wheel drive system (if applicable).
Before paying, carefully inspect the title document. Ensure the seller’s name on the title matches their government-issued ID. Critically, verify that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the title perfectly matches the VIN on the car’s dashboard and driver-side door jamb.