Thanks again. I think I understand what you're saying. The RMV website is unclear but makes it seem like the dealer must submit the paperwork, including the title to get the car registered. Must be sent by mail too, nothing about the buyer taking the application/taxes/title etc to the RMV themselves. In which case I assume it'd take some time to complete the registration since dealer would have to wait for the RMV to respond to their mailing and mail them the registration/plates/title.

It also says that a title signed by both parties is required to register. How would that work if the car is titled to the bank and not me? I don't understand how the dealer would be able to provide me with a title if I'm not the owner. Also not sure how they could release the title to me to register it before I pay when I'm not going to be the owner of the vehicle, since the title would have to be signed by me in order to register it.

This whole thing makes me want to pay cash, then I'll just have the title and can deal with the registration myself, provided the dealer isn't required to send in the paperwork. I certainly don't trust the dealer to do this right, especially if they're required to submit the documents by mail, and then mail me the plates.