Your car dealer will give you a temporary license plate after you purchase a vehicle. It’s usually valid for 30 days while you complete vehicle registration.
Dealerships can issue temporary plates when selling a car in the state of Florida.
Non-dealers can sometimes issue temporary plates, but only in certain situations.
Temporary license plates issued in the Sunshine State can last 10, 30, or 90 days, depending on the circumstances.
Does Florida issue temporary plates?
Yes—licensed Florida dealers and, in some circumstances, private sellers are allowed by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV/DHSMV) to issue temporary license plates, temporary tags (temp tags), or paper plates to buyers.
The Florida Electronic Temporary Registration (ETR) system permits dealers to print temporary tags—but you can’t use it without a valid dealer license.
The provisional tags allow new car owners to drive their vehicles for up to 90 days before their title and registration have been completed.
For the most part, licensed dealers are the ones who issue temporary plates, but private sellers are also allowed to issue temporary plates when
and submit the completed form to your county tax collector’s office. You’ll need to provide:
Your name, address, and driver’s license number
Your vehicle’s make, model, year, and VIN
The name and license number of the dealer that sold the vehicle
You cannot drive without a license plate—even if you just bought the car
Florida statutes don’t allow you to drive without a license plate (permanent or temporary).To be safe, ask the seller to issue you a temporary plate.
Penalties for misuse of a temporary license plate in Florida
If you are found to have abused or altered your temporary Florida plate, you can place criminal penalties.
If you knowingly or willingly use a temporary license plate to avoid registering a vehicle, you can face a first-degree misdemeanor, including up to a year in jail and a $1000 fine.
If you are found to have issued a temporary license plate to a fictitious person or entity to avoid disclosing the true owner of a vehicle, this is considered a third-degree felony. Penalties include up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
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FAQs
How long can you drive with an expired temporary tag?
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Technically, you can’t drive with an expired temp tag. If you drive with one that’s expired for a week or less, you’ll get a nonmoving violation for which you pay a fine.
Can I get a second 30-day tag in Florida?
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Florida issues additional 30-day temporary tags to private car sales or to vehicles sold in Florida that are driven out of the state.
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