Temporary license plates are quite common in the United States. They are issued to vehicle buyers while dealers complete the title and registration process. However, it is important to note that only authorized entities can generate these temporary plates; otherwise, their legality would be compromised.
How Can You Tell if Your Temporary Plate is Legal?
As we mentioned earlier, temporary license plates are commonly seen on the roads as they are issued to vehicle buyers. While each state in the United States may have its own regulations, there are several common elements to identify their legitimacy.
A temporary plate can be considered legal if it includes the following documents:
- Certificate of Title
- Temporary Tag Application
- Proof of Car Insurance
- Valid Driver’s License
- Loan Documentation
Some institutions or dealerships even handle the process on your behalf. This means that once you leave there with your vehicle, you can quickly get to work without any worries.
If you are concerned about the issue of counterfeit licenses, pay close attention to the printed date on the plate. In the United States, the only organization that issues this type of plate is the DMV.
To dispel any doubts, it’s best to view images of genuine temporary license plates in perfect condition. There are significant visual differences between different plates.
Steps to Follow if You Need to Obtain a Temporary License Plate in the USA
If you did not manage to obtain a temporary license plate through the dealership, you will have to start the registration process yourself. It’s fairly simple. Just follow these steps:
- Gather all the vehicle information.
- Verify that all the documents and descriptions provided by the seller are legally valid.
- Have the sales invoice, which describes the car and its characteristics at the time of sale.
- Visit your local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) office.
The DMV usually requires the aforementioned requirements. However, if they request additional information, you will need to provide it to proceed with the process smoothly.
If you complete the process correctly, you will be granted a temporary license. It is important to accept the conditions and the duration of the temporary license. Driving with an expired plate can be detrimental to your vehicle.
In fact, to make the process even easier, there is an online DMV Temporary Permits System. This means you won’t need to leave your house to obtain the permits.
What You Should Know About Temporary License Plates in the USA
If you have already completed the process, note that the DMV generally allows 1 to 7 business days for you to submit the required documents. After completing the process, you may have to wait a maximum of 5 days to receive a response.
Once you have the temporary license plate, you will receive a package containing:
- Rear color plate for your vehicle
- Temporary registration card valid for 30 days
- In the event that the plate was not provided despite having all the necessary documentation, you may be eligible for a refund of the fees paid during the process.
Generally, these plates have a usage period of 60 to 90 days. They should not exceed this time frame, as your official vehicle plates should arrive within that period.
Read also:
