Automobile License Plates in Alaska?

Question

I'm going backpacking in Denali this summer for 2 weeks. The cost of a rental car in AK is ridiculous due to state , municpal and airport fees. Since I am extremely cheap, I thought about buying a very cheap junker and driving it for 2 weeks then either giving it away or taking it to a salvage yard. I was looking on craigslist and a lot of the cars listed say that the tags or emissions are good until a certain date. So here is the question. Do the tags follow a car in Alaska like they do in some other states? In other words if I bought a car with valid plates could I get away with driving it for 2 weeks?

Oh , and please no moral lectures on what I plan to do. It would only be falling on deaf ears.

Answer 1

Here in Alaska, you can drive on out of state plates for 30 days. Everyone comes here in an RV in the summer LOL!
As far as the plates following the car, yes as long as you get it registered in your name and have insurance.
The old plates follow the car unless they are personalized.
The tags if still good until a future date cost you nothing until time to update them.

Don't come here without Automobile insurance, I don't want you hitting me, LOL!
Please keep in mind the road trip is long and if you buy a junker you may be "Up a creek with out a paddle", if you get my drift. It's costly for towing and parts.

You'll love it here it's beautiful in Summer!

Answer 2

When I first got to Alaska (about 10 years ago) I bought a junker for $75, put no money into it, and drove it until the tires were bald and then sold it for $100 (sans the stereo it came with). My second Alaska car was free junker but it wouldn't start unless I banged on the starter with a hammer. I drove that car until the tires were bald. (bald tires and Alaskan winters don't mix well) and then gave it away. My third Alaskan car was a 1973 Omega junker that I paid $400.00. It still runs but I don't drive it. It has become collectible and is worth 3X what I paid. I plan to sell it this year before rust takes its toll. My 4th Alaskan car was a huge junker van that I paid $300 for and drove it for 2 years until the brakes needed work, then I gave it away. My 5th Alaskan junker was a free minivan that I drove for about a year until the head gasket went and I gave that away too. So all told I've been driving for about 10 years, have totally come out ahead, never have paid for disposal, and have never once worried about licensing or tags. (only titles) What the hell is an oil change again?

Many Alaskan towns (and villages) are so far away from anything that license plates and tags aren't required (you couldn't get them if you wanted them). They issue driver's licenses through the mail with no driving test required and the words "No photo available" where the picture normally goes. These cars and licenses are legal and find there way onto the road systems all the time.

You'll be fine.

Answer 3

The question is frequently unsuitable. this is no longer a rely of what we are "allowed" to do. Your link to the splendid courtroom case does not artwork. Jehovah's Witnesses are actually not accountable for what states pick to placed on their license plates. Their messages and mottoes are theirs, no longer ours. the only direction we've gained from the Governing physique, this is additionally the path given via the Bible, is to obey the guidelines of the land that don't conflict with God's rules. To have a vehicle authorized for identity purposes does not, in itself, conflict with God's rules. If states require license plates for automobiles, Jehovah's Witnesses get license plates. till it incredibly is a customized vehicle plate, the messages are not to any extent further ours or our accountability than are the vehicle plate numbers and letters. the comparable is going for distant places money.

Answer 4

In most states you can drive a car for thirty days,on out of state plates, without having to register it. This probably holds true for Alaska as well. I suggest that you contact the Motor Vehicle Department in the State of Alaska, and inquire. I envy you the trip, as I was there several years ago, on a trip.

Answer 5

I really don't know why I'm bothering to answer, since you have already said you won't listen. Especially coming from a retired cop...but...

If you buy a vehicle, no, the tags don't follow even if they are still 'good'. You have to change it into your name, get currents tags, and insure it to do things the right way. If you got stopped and the vehicle didn't come back to you, the ticket would carry a very large fine, and the vehicle would probably be towed.

Answer 6

We tired buying a cheap car here for $700, hardly would run ect and I think the salvage yards here charge you to take them.
Better suck it up and get a rental car.

Answer 7

Thanks for the info iam going up there in june :)
Honestly i would just say pay the piper to be on the safe side