After purchasing a used car, getting a temporary tag is your priority before driving your car on the road. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will usually issue temporary tags since it requires a long process to issue a permanent license plate for your car.
Temporary tags are very important to confirm that you’re the owner of the vehicle when the traffic police stop you on the street. However, it’s illegal to drive your vehicle without temporary tags or a permanent license plate.
Since you cannot make a temporary tag yourself, you have to submit a request for a temporary tag. If this is your first time buying a used car and you want to get a temporary tag, there are some steps you should follow to get your car’s temporary tag. Here you go!
Getting a Temporary Tag for Your Used Car: Here’s How!
When you buy a used car from a dealer, you will usually be given a temporary tag. If you buy a used car from a private seller, you’ll surely have to sort out the temporary tags yourself. The process of getting a temporary tag will depend on the state in which you live since the process may differ from one state to another.
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To get a temporary tag, you just do the following steps:
Step 1: Ask the seller to transfer the car title
After you have purchased a used car, you can ask the seller to transfer the title to you. If you purchased a used car from a dealer, you do not have to do it. If you purchased a used car from an individual, you may need to complete the transfer at the DMV.
Step 2: Get a valid insurance of your car
After buying a used car, you have to claim it as your own. Before getting a temporary tag, you must get valid insurance for your car, which is one of the requirements to submit a file application at the DMV.
In most states, such as Pennsylvania and Florida, a valid car insurance policy is really required to get a temporary tag. In other states like Wisconsin, you do not have to have valid car insurance; instead, this state only requires completed state forms, a certificate of title, current identification, and title fee and taxes to get a temporary tag.
To obtain valid car insurance, you must apply with an insurance company. If your insurance company is out of state, you need to get a letter from your insurance broker that lists your insurance policy number or a copy of the insurance binder.
Step 3: Submit a file application at the DMV
If you already have valid car insurance, you can file an application with the DMV by filling out the form that is usually available on the DMV website. After filling out the correct paperwork, you can then visit the DMV office to apply for the temporary tag. Look for information on their operating hours and the nearest location to you.
In the process of submitting a file application at the DMV office, you have to provide some necessary paperwork to the DMV clerk. Here are the possible items you need to get a temporary tag:
- Application form
- A valid car insurance
- Vehicle title
- Your driver’s license
- Sales tax documentation
Step 4: Pay the fee
If the necessary items have been completed, the DMV will submit the proper documentation to issue a temporary tag. Beforehand, you have to pay the fee with cash, credit cards, a check, or a money order.
The fee for a temporary tag will vary by state.
- In Florida, temporary tags cost $5.
- In the District of Columbia, temporary tags cost $13.
- In Pennsylvania, temporary tags cost $30.
- In Wisconsin, temporary tags will be free, as long as you request them at the time that you apply for the car title and registration.
It’s important to note that sales tax will be added to the cost of temporary tags in some states.
Congratulations! You now have a temporary tag for your car and can already drive it on the road with the temporary tag.
Step 5: Register your car to get a permanent license plate
After getting a temporary tag, you have to be concerned about its expiration date. You really have to replace your temporary tags with a permanent license plate as soon as you receive mail requiring you to register your car at the DMV.
It’s highly recommended for you to get a permanent license plate within two to three weeks before the expiration date. To register your car to get a permanent license plate, you may need the following documents:
- Your car title from the seller
- Any loan documents
- A valid car insurance
- A government-issued ID such as your driver’s license and your personal ID card.
- An emissions certificate (depending on the state)
After the necessary documents are completed, you can visit a DMV office nearby to complete the process of registering your car and get a permanent license plate.
How Long Are Temporary Tags Valid?
As the name implies, a temporary tag on a vehicle is not permanent and also does not have a grace period. It is known that temporary tags are made of paper and will be valid for up to 90 days, but the expiration date on your temporary tags will differ by state or individual circumstance.
- In the District of Columbia, temporary tags will be valid for 45 days. The time frame allows car owners to complete their car registration and obtain a permanent license plate. If a used car has an expired inspection sticker, the temporary tags will be valid for 15 days.
- In Mississippi, temporary tags will be valid for 7 working days from the vehicle’s date of purchase.
- In Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, temporary tags will be valid for up to 90 days.
- In Florida, temporary tags will be valid for 30 days (for an out-of-state buyer who is bringing a vehicle into Florida).
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