What to Know About Temporary Tags on Newly Purchased Cars
When you purchase a new or used car, you may be given temporary tags. These tags are given for you until the actual tag and title can be associated with your name and all of the paperwork can be registered on the car. With that in mind, you may have some questions regarding the tag. This is especially true if you have recently moved to a different state or are dealing with transferring a car from one state to another after a recent purchase. Here are a few things you should know about temp tags for your vehicle.
Dealers and Temporary Plates
If you purchase from a private seller, you will need to arrange the tags on your new purchase with your local county or city probate office. They can walk you through the steps and a temporary tag may not be necessary. However, if you are buying the car from a dealership, they may offer you a temporary tag if you do not already have one to transfer to the car.
Duration of Temporary Tags
You may have an issue with the time frame you have on the temporary tags and when you receive your newly issued tag. Many states have a 30-day policy on their temporary tags. You can get an extension to this in some states. However, keep in mind you may not be able to get a full month extension. Some extensions may be for several days and up to two weeks. The traditional 30 days that many states give is generally enough time to receive the new tags and have them applied to your car.
Printable Temporary Plates
Some states offer you the option to purchase temporary plates online and print out the temporary plate for your vehicle. This is done in the situation where you do not have a tag to transfer to the car and you are buying the car from a private dealer or family member. You will need to check with your local DMV or DMV website to determine if this is an option and for the instructions on how to order, print out, and apply the printable tag.
During the time you purchase the vehicle, your car dealer will be able to answer your questions regarding a temporary tag. They can tell you how long one will last in your state. They can also answer questions regarding fees and additional information that pertains to your specific situation.
