Pennsylvania residents may be issued temporary registration plates when they purchase a car through a licensed dealer or register an out-of-state vehicle with the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
QUICK LOOK
- A licensed dealer may issue you temporary Pennsylvania license plates if there’s a delay with your title transfer and registration documents.
- You may also need temporary plates if you are registering an out-of-state vehicle in Pennsylvania.
- Temporary Pennsylvania license plates last for 90 days.
How Pennsylvania temporary license plates work
Licensed car dealers in the state of Pennsylvania are capable of issuing you temporary license plates that last up to 90 days. They must always be obtained from an agent licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Many people use fraudulent license plates as a way to avoid paying taxes or fines in PA, and therefore the state has to be very careful about who is issued these plates.
Who needs Pennsylvania temporary license plates?
You may be issued temporary Pennsylvania license plates if:
- The dealership is unable to complete your vehicle registration on the spot: When you purchase a car from a legitimate car dealership in Pennsylvania, they will do their best to transfer your PA title and complete your vehicle registration. If they are unable to access any documents or the process takes longer, you may be issued temporary plates. If the dealership is unable to help with this, or if you are buying from a private seller, your best bet is to contact the Pennsylvania DMV.
- You are registering an out-of-state vehicle in Pennsylvania: You will likely receive temporary plates when you surrender your out-of-state title and submit your application for a Pennsylvania title to the DMV.
Car registration fees in Pennsylvania
Depending on your situation, here are some of the registration fees that may apply when you are issued temporary Pennsylvania plates:
- Passenger vehicle registration: $39
- License plate replacement: $11
- Customized license plate registration: $85
Can I drive a car without plates I just bought in Pennsylvania?
You should never drive a car without Pennsylvania license plates or some form of temporary registration.
Keep in mind: The fine for driving an unregistered vehicle in Pennsylvania starts at $75.
Sean Boehme is an insurance writer with over three years of writing and editing experience. A specialist in car insurance and state laws surrounding car ownership and registration, Sean’s mission is to create content that educates car owners about how to make all aspects of car ownership more affordable. To that end, Sean has authored over 300 articles for Jerry on topics including vehicle maintenance basics and car registration requirements. Prior to joining Jerry, Sean worked as a games writer for Screen Rant.
Georgina Grant is a senior insurance editor and researcher with 8 years of experience in digital communications. She specializes in home insurance and car maintenance and strives to create accurate and comprehensive guides that highlight the details that matter most to homeowners and drivers. Georgina has edited over 1,500 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from engine oil capacity to state community property laws. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, Georgina worked as a contributor at Forbes, a film development intern at Madison Wells, and a content editor at professional coaching agency Readily. Her work has appeared in Forbes and The Stanford Daily.
Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit. Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.
