Important Legal Warnings
- Knowingly misusing temporary plates to avoid vehicle registration is a first-degree misdemeanor (View Florida Statute 320.131(5)).
- Issuing temporary plates to fictitious persons or entities to hide true vehicle ownership is a third-degree felony (View Florida Statute 320.131(6)).
Select an Option
Requesting Temporary License Plates (Dealer Use)
The most common use is by motor vehicle dealers to allow customers who do not have a license plate to transfer to be able to drive their newly purchased vehicle off the lot. This type of temporary license plate is valid for 30 days including the date of issue, which gives dealers ample time to apply for title and registration for their customers.
Motor vehicle dealers must use a certified service provider to process Electronic Temporary Registration (ETR) applications. Find a certified service provider.
Once a dealer is licensed and has a relationship with an ETR provider, the dealer can purchase pre-printed paper temporary license plates to be used in the event of an ETR outage or used by a dealer for trailers that are under 2,000 pounds.
How to purchase temporary plates?
Who can purchase: Florida dealers licensed under Florida Statutes 320.27, 320.77, and 320.771.
Where: Any Tax Collector office.
What you’ll need?
- Complete the Application by Florida Motor Vehicle Dealer for Temporary License Plates, Form HSMV 83090 (PDF) (form must be submitted for each transaction).
Cost:
- $2.00 per plate and can be sold in increments of 5 (maximum 25 per transaction).
- $2.50 service fee per transaction.
Requesting Temporary License Plates (Non-Dealer Use)
How to purchase temporary plates?
Where: Any Tax Collector office.
What you’ll need?
Florida law allows temporary license plates for 10, 30, 60 or 90 days depending on their purpose.
10-Day Temporary Plates
Ten (10) day temporary license plates may be issued under the following circumstances:
- When a motor vehicle is required to be weighed for registration purposes.
- When a motor vehicle/motorcycle is required to have the vehicle identification number verified or the motor vehicle/motorcycle must be inspected to apply for a Florida Certificate of Title or for registration purposes.
30-Day Temporary Plates
Thirty (30) day temporary license plates may be issued for casual or private sales, examples include:
- The seller of a motor vehicle may request a temporary license plate for demonstration purposes to allow potential buyers to test drive the vehicle. A temporary license plate cannot be issued if the current vehicle owner has not previously registered the vehicle in Florida or in lieu of renewing the license plate currently assigned to the vehicle. Proof of Florida Insurance Coverage is required.
- For banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions which are not required to be licensed under the provisions of section 27, 77, or 320.771, Florida Statutes, but need temporary license plates to demonstrate repossessions for sale.
- When a motor vehicle, motorcycle or recreational vehicle is sold in this state to a resident of another state for registration in their home state and is not required to be registered under the provisions of section 320.38, Florida Statutes. Refer to TL-08 for required sales tax information.
- When an out-of-state resident, subject to registration in this state, must secure ownership documentation from their home state.
- Example: An individual from another state is moving to Florida and needs to get their title documentation from the other state to register and title their vehicle in Florida.
- For a vessel trailer dealer to issue upon the sale of a vessel trailer.
- For use on a commercial vehicle (heavy truck), even carrying a load, if the vehicle remains in Florida. Proof of Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) is required, unless purchased in the first 60 days. If the commercial vehicle is traveling out of state, a trip permit for International Registration Plan (IRP) and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is required. Visit FLHSMV’s Commercial Vehicle page for more information.
60-Day Temporary Plates
Sixty (60) day temporary license plate may be issued under the following circumstances:
- When the existing owner of a motor vehicle submits an application for a Florida certificate of title using a valid out-of-state title with an active lien as proof of ownership.
- When an active-duty military service member has a valid Florida driver license and is stationed outside of Florida. A copy of duty orders is acceptable as proof the applicant is stationed outside of Florida or an affidavit submitted and signed by the applicant attesting that they are an active-duty military service member and where the out-of-state location they are stationed.
90-Day Temporary Plates
Ninety (90) day temporary license plate may be issued under the following circumstances:
- To a customer upon application for a personalized or special license plate, while the license plate is being manufactured.
- Customer who is temporarily employed in Florida.