Hi gang,

I'm selling a car to another expat (in NYC) and wanted to check something. The buyer has only just arrived and hasn't got a NYC drivers license. I told him he needs one to buy a car and insure it. Is that correct?

Are there any other things I need to be aware of selling the car?

Thanks in advance as always

insure probably not buy it it's personal property.

I think it's only NJ that required a local license for the dealer to release it, didn't think NY had that requirement.

DMV would tell you for sure though.

Ok, one more question. Buyer is getting his licence sorted so all good there. I read on the DMV that I have to remove the plates and send them back. If I do that how does he drive the car away without plates?
If a cop stops him does he just show the buyer forms we fill in?
TIA

Ok, one more question. Buyer is getting his licence sorted so all good there. I read on the DMV that I have to remove the plates and send them back. If I do that how does he drive the car away without plates?
If a cop stops him does he just show the buyer forms we fill in?
TIA

Tows it or risks getting a ticket.

Since New York requires that, I'd suggest that you go down to the DMV with him and have him register the car when you remove the license plates. He'll probably just get a paper sticker for the window until his license plates arrive.

He's collecting the car at night so going to the DMV together will mean a day off work for both of us. Is that the only option (apart from towing)? He can't register it until I signed all the docs and handed the title over can he?

Drive it illegally is the other option.

If you get it from the dealer, you often get temp plates that are good for x number of days, but you don't get that option on private sales.

Down my way, you can register the car online and if you have plates from a previous car you could register those plates if they haven't been re-issued and they're the bog standard plates. Check the state to see if you can do that as well?

http://www.dmv.ny.gov/register.htm

You can sign the document and its handed over and he owns it. Check out the link for the Sales tax implications and also how to register it all - if they want to move it - they tow it or drive illegally - or park it in a garage until they get the plates.