Question: I am unclear of the rules around driving with a temporary license plate. I’m curious if different states have different rules surrounding temporary license plates?
Answer: Many states have temporary license plates that allow you to drive your car for a specific period of time and/or for a specific purpose. Some possible scenarios in which you would need a temporary license plate include:
- Buying a new car
- Transporting an unregistered car to another location, such as an inspection or to another state
- Moving to a new state and registering your car for the first time
In some states, you will get a temporary license plate while you await your permanent license plates. This is the case in Illinois for new purchasers of vehicles who have filed a valid registration application. Policies vary by state, so check your DMV’s requirements.
Let’s review the policies of the most populous states.
California temporary license plate
California Vehicle Code 4456 allows drivers to operate a vehicle with a report-of-sale form or temporary license plate until they receive the license plates and registration card or 90 days have passed since the sale, whichever comes first. Learn more.
Texas temporary license plate
Temporary registration in Texas requires identification, proof of insurance issued to the person whose name appears on the identification, and payment in cash. Permits available include 72-hour, 144-hour, one-trip, and 30-day permits, each with distinct eligibility and usage conditions. Each permit also has its own rules about whether the vehicle needs an inspection. Learn more.
Florida temporary license plate
Florida law allows the use of temporary license plates for 10, 30, or 90 days. Non-dealer 10-day plates are for specific registration and inspection needs, and 30-day plates cover situations like private sales and drivers transferring their registration from another state. Ninety-day plates cater to drivers awaiting a personalized plate or who are temporarily employed in Florida. Learn more.
New York temporary license plate
In New York, temporary in-transit permits allow for vehicle transport within, into or out of state and are valid for 30 days. Applicants must submit a completed application, proof of ownership, proof of identity, proof of insurance (if applicable), and a $12.50 fee to a DMV office. Learn more.
Illinois temporary license plate
Temporary Registration Permits (TRPs) are issued to new vehicle purchasers who have applied for registration but haven’t received license plates yet. They are valid for 90 days. Learn more.
Georgia temporary license plate
Temporary Operating Permits are issued by dealers for newly purchased vehicles and are valid for 30 days, during which the buyer must register the vehicle. It’s a dealer’s job to apply for the vehicle title, but buyers must apply for or transfer a license plate within the 30-day period. Drivers may apply for only one additional TOP from the County Tag Office if the dealer fails to transfer the title in time. Learn more.
North Carolina temporary license plate
In North Carolina, the Division of Motor Vehicles can issue temporary license plates for periods ranging from 10 to 60 days. Drivers must apply and pay a fee. Learn more.
Xuyun Zeng is a content strategist with a wide-ranging content background including tech, journalism, cars and health care. After graduating with highest honors in journalism, Xuyun led a newspaper to win eight awards, helped start an award-winning film industry podcast and has written over a hundred articles about cars repair, state laws and insurance. Prior to joining Jerry, Xuyun worked as a freelance SEO consultant with a mission to create the best content that will help readers and grow organic traffic.
Alice Holbrook is an editor with more than a decade of experience covering personal finance, including car insurance. She\’s passionate about creating easy-to-understand content that demystifies intimidating topics for readers. Previously, she worked for NerdWallet, and her work has been featured by Newsweek, The Washington Post and the Associated Press, among others.
