In the state of California, a car dealer may issue a Temporary Operating Permit (TOP) if all your registration fees have been paid but your permanent California license plates and stickers have not yet been issued.
- A temporary license plate is called a temporary operating permit (TOP) in California.
- You can face citations or tickets, fines, and penalties if law enforcement catches you driving in California without license plates, even if you’re waiting for your new plates to arrive.
- California offers different types of TOPs for different circumstances, some of which require fees.
Temporary license plates in California
A temporary operating permit (TOP) is the California version of a temporary paper license plate, and it typically lasts for 90 days. According to the California Vehicle Code, you’ll need a TOP to legally operate a new vehicle in California while you wait on your permanent license plates and registration stickers.
How to get a temporary operating permit in California
A licensed car dealership will issue a TOP if your plate and stickers aren’t ready when you buy a new car, so long as your vehicle registration fees are paid.
If you buy a used car, the dealership should also fill out and attach a Report of Sale (DMV Form REG 51) to the vehicle (usually on the bottom of the windshield on the passenger’s side). This form will include:
- Vehicle’s make, model, year, and VIN
- Date the vehicle was sold
- Vehicle’s odometer reading
- Numbers of the dealer and salesperson
- Name and address of the person the vehicle was sold to
- The temporary license plate number
Types of TOPs in California
There are other circumstances where you might need a different kind of temporary operating permit, including if your car fails its Biennial Smog Certification. You can get the following TOPs from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Biennial Smog Certification TOP
If your vehicle fails the Biennial Smog Certification test, you’ll need to get a temporary permit. This permit will be valid for 60 days from the date of registration expiration or the date the vehicle is removed from non-operating status.
To get one, do the following:
- Pay all registration fees, plus an additional $50 for the temporary permit
- Submit your failed inspection report
- Provide proof of insurance
One-time 30-day TOP
You can apply for a 30-day TOP for the following:
- A non-resident vehicle
- An impounded vehicle (so long as all fees are paid)
- A vehicle referred by the California Highway Patrol for VIN inspection or assignment
- A vehicle having trouble passing original or transfer smog inspection
- A vehicle requiring Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax with an expiration date other than July 31
One-time 60-day TOP
You can apply for a 60-day TOP under the following circumstances:
- An incomplete registration application in regards to a vehicle failing a smog inspection test, after all fees are paid
- A salvage retention vehicle that is being rehabilitated, so long as the customer has paid all registration fees and submitted brake and light certificates
One-time 90-day TOP
You can get a 90-day TOP under the following circumstances:
- You are waiting for your permanent California license plate to be manufactured after buying a new car
- You have applied for personalized plates and are waiting for them to be manufactured
One-Day Moving Permit
You can get a One Day Moving Permit from California’s DMV for no fee under the following conditions:
- With a Planned Non-Operation Filing (PNO) on file to move from one place of storage to another—this is a car that is not intended to be driven
- To move a vehicle from one garage or repair shop to another for car repairs, alteration, dismantling, or wrecking
- To move a vehicle from one place to another for inspection by the DMV or CHP, VIN verification or assignment, smog control inspection, weighing a vehicle, or getting brake or light certification
- For a vehicle that is incomplete or in the process of being altered.
One Trip Permit
A unique permit is available for the following circumstances:
- For a vehicle to participate in a parade or float from one place to another and for no more than 100 miles roundtrip, which must be completed within 60 days.
- An unladen vehicle for one continuous trip from one place in California to another in or out-of-state, and vice-versa (must be the most direct route).
Learn More: How to find temporary car insurance
Jason Tushinski is an insurance writer with a background in journalism and over seven years of experience in freelance writing. Jason specializes in insurance and combines a wealth of skills obtained throughout the publishing industry to create useful, easy-to-understand content for car owners. Jason has written over 1,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from insurance company offerings to DMV processes to car model specifications. Before joining Jerry, Jason worked as freelance video content creator, news writer and editor for the Sun News Network, and researcher for CBC. His writing is published in Maclean’s and This Magazine.
Pat Roache is an insurance writer with over two years of experience in the automotive industry. With a focus on car insurance, maintenance, and brand reviews, Pat’s mission is to create engaging and accessible content that empowers readers to take autonomy over their car ownership. As a writer and editor with Jerry, Pat has penned over 600 original articles and edited over 1,000. Pat’s 8+ years of experience in the performing arts as a writer, director, producer, and performer lend to their keen eye for research and presentation. Most recently, Pat’s new English translation of Donizetti’s Italian opera “D[x]n Pasquale” had its world premiere in 2022 with Opera MODO (Detroit, MI). Pat also writes grants for an LGBTQ arts non-profit in Chicago, IL.
