Buying a new car is exciting. But before you can drive it home, you need a license plate. If you do not have your metal plates yet, you will get a temporary license plate.
Also known as temp plates or transit tags, these paper or plastic tags let you drive legally while the DMV processes your paperwork.
At Auto Dealers Haven, we supply dealerships with the heavy-duty temporary license plate envelopes that keep these paper tags safe from the rain and wind.
Here is everything you need to know about how temp plates work, how to attach them, and what to do if they expire.
How Do Temporary License Plates Work?
A temporary license plate is a short-term permit. It bridges the gap between the day you buy your car and the day your real metal plates arrive in the mail.
If you buy a car from a registered dealership, they will handle the temp plates for you. Dealerships have special licenses that let them print temp tags right in their office. They will place the paper tag inside a temporary plate holder and attach it to your car before you drive off the lot.
If you buy a car from a private seller, the process is harder. You usually have to go to the DMV yourself to get a temporary transit permit.
How Long Do Temp Plates Last?
Temp plates do not last forever. They have a strict expiration date printed in large numbers on the tag.
In most states, a temporary license plate is valid for 30 to 60 days.
It is illegal to drive a car with expired temp plates. If the police pull you over, you could get a large fine. Your car could even be towed. If your real metal plates have not arrived and your temp tag is about to expire, you must call your dealership or your local DMV right away. Sometimes, they can print you an extension tag.
Temporary Plate Validity Timeline (Examples)
Every state is different, but here is a quick look at how long temp plates last in a few major states:
|
State |
Dealership Temp Plate Valid For |
Private Sale Temp Plate Valid For |
|
Texas |
60 Days |
30 Days |
|
Florida |
30 Days |
30 Days |
|
California |
90 Days |
Varies (Must visit DMV) |
|
New York |
30 Days |
30 Days (In-transit permit) |
How to Protect and Display Your Temp Plates
Paper temp plates can tear easily in the wind. They can also melt in heavy rain or snow. Because it is illegal to drive without a readable plate, you must protect it.
1. Where to Put It
Every state has different rules. Some states tell you to tape the temp plate inside the rear window. Other states require the dealer to mount it on the back bumper, right where the metal plate will go. Always ask your dealer where your state requires it to be.
2. How to Protect It
If your state makes you put the tag on the outside bumper, it must be protected from the weather. The best way to do this is with a heavy plastic bag.
Dealerships use special temporary license plate bags. These bags have an adhesive strip that seals the paper tag inside, making it 100% waterproof. They also have holes at the top so you can screw the bag directly into the bumper without tearing the paper.
What Should You Do If You Lose Your Temp Plate?
Treat your temp plate just like a real metal plate.
If your temp tag falls off, blows away, or gets stolen, do not make your own. Writing your plate number on a piece of cardboard is illegal and will get you pulled over.
Instead, follow these steps:
-
Call the Police: If you think it was stolen, file a quick police report.
-
Call Your Dealership: The dealer who sold you the car can usually log into the state system and print you a replacement tag.
-
Visit the DMV: If the dealer cannot help, take your car's paperwork to the DMV to get a new permit.
Do You Need Car Insurance with Temp Plates?
Yes! A temporary plate only covers your registration. It does not cover your insurance.
You must have valid auto insurance to drive a car legally, even if you just bought it 10 minutes ago. Your dealership will ask to see your proof of insurance before they even print your temp tags.
For Dealerships: Keep Your Temp Tags Safe
If you run an auto dealership, your customers rely on you to keep their new cars legal on the road. If a paper tag tears off in a rainstorm on the drive home, you will have an angry customer calling your office.
You need heavy-duty supplies to protect those paper tags. We sell ultra-thick, weatherproof temporary license plate envelopes that seal tight and never tear on the highway.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I drive out of state with temporary license plates?
Yes, in most cases. If your temporary plate is legally issued by your home state's DMV or a licensed dealer, other states will recognize it. However, you must carry your bill of sale and proof of insurance just in case you get pulled over.
Is it illegal to put a temp tag in the back window?
It depends on your state laws and the tint of your window. Many states allow it, but if your back window is tinted too dark for police to read the tag, you must mount it on the rear bumper inside a plastic temporary plate holder.
What happens if my temporary plates expire and my real ones haven't arrived?
Do not drive the car. Contact your dealership immediately. If they delayed the paperwork, they might be able to issue a second temporary tag. If the DMV is delayed, you may have to visit the DMV in person to request a legal extension.
Need to stock up your dealership office? Check out our deal jackets, grab some auto dealer key tags, and get your temporary plate holders today to keep your sales moving fast!
