The fine in Maryland is $250,from what I remember. But every time I buy a
vehicle,I do the same thing you are about to try. Just don't do anything
crazy and you should be fine.Oh-and if there are 'Dead" stickers on it,cover
or remove them. Thought of towing it on a dolly? Or getting a temp tag in
Va.? Depending where the van is located in Md.,it may be a short trip to a
Va. DMV-I think some are open on Saturdays. One last option-do you have any
friends in the used car business? Borrow their tag if they blink. If I can
be of any assistance,I'm in Md. near Frederick. Good luck!

Karl
'87 Syncro Westy
-----Original Message-----
From: Seth C. Bruggeman <scbrug@MAIL.WM.EDU>
To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM <vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, November 05, 1998 8:22 PM
Subject: run for the border

>I live in Virginia and am heading to Maryland this weekend to buy an '84
>Westy.  The problem is, Maryland apparently doesn't issue new/temp tags on
>Saturdays.  Unfortunately, this is the only weekend I can make the trip and
>am, anyhow, desperate for wheels.  The guy I'm buying from isn't cool about
>lending me his tags for a day.  Therefore, I'm taking the plate of my old
>Pa-registered Toyota to put on the van for the trip back (better than no
>plate at all, right...???).  The trip back will last for about 3.5 hours
>and I'm worried about a pull over and its implications (probobly be the
>only time in my life I get pulled over).  So, can anyone think of a better
>plan or have any idea what the penalty is for this sort of fiasco?
>
>Seth B.
>
>p.s. I will have insurance for the van, but no documentation....being that
>I just made the call today...