When buying a used truck?

When buying a used truck from an individual, what all do you have to do just to get the truck home? If the truck has no tag or insurance, how are you supposed to get it home? will the bill of sale and the signed title be enough, or do you have to let the truck sit in the ex-owners yard till you get tag and insurance. How does the Registration process go. do property taxes have to be payed befor the 2290? Maybe you dont want to put a tag on the truck and want to lease on to a carrier. Same question applies, I know alot of carriers will send you permits, temp tag, insurance cards and all in the mail, but I still have to pay the 2290.
Answers to these questions would help alot of Potential owner/operators out. Some of us guys need to be steered through this legal heavy process or our minds might explode.