You would need to check local laws to be sure but most states do allow you to drive a vehicle home without plates when you just bought it since the previous owner would remove their license plates and then you'd have to get your own license plates.
You could also drive the vehicle without plates to the DMV and then get it registered and transfer the title into your name and get the plates.
Some States also allow you 30 days to drive the vehicle without plates but some do not and require you have plates when driving the vehicle but you can usually drive the vehicle from the place you bought it to the place of storage or your home until you register it.
If you buy from a dealership then they usually give you a temporary license plate also known as a 30 day tag or something similar or may require you to get plates on the car before you drive it off the lot.
Usually you'll get a 30 day license plate which allows you to drive the vehicle for up to 30 days before getting the new regular license plate.