Utah Temporary License Plate

What Is a Temporary License Plate in Utah?

Utah calls its short-term vehicle permit a temporary permit. The permit allows operation on highways while the owner gathers inspection certificates, title documents, or license plates needed for full registration.

The Division of Motor Vehicles issues temporary permits at DMV offices and online. Licensed dealers issue their version at the point of sale through the Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division. The division or its authorized agents also issue 96-hour transit permits for one-time vehicle movement.

Each temporary permit is a paper document. Buyers place the original in the rear license plate area or rear window to be readable from 30 feet according to MVED rules.

What Types of Temporary License Plates Are There in Utah?

Dealers may request an extension of the dealer temporary permit by calling MVED; approval is granted only if the dealer’s extension rate remains below six percent of permits issued over the previous three months. The transit permit and loaded demonstration permit cannot be extended.

When Is a Temporary License Plate Required in Utah?

• A licensed dealer issues a dealer temporary permit at the point of sale, allowing the buyer to operate the vehicle while the dealer obtains permanent plates according to UCA 41-3-302.
• A private sale buyer must obtain a temporary permit from the DMV or via the Motor Vehicle Portal before operating the vehicle on public roads.
• An owner moving an unregistered vehicle to another location or out of state must have a 96-hour transit permit according to UCA 41-3-305.
• A dealer demonstrating a loaded commercial vehicle over 26,000 pounds to a prospective buyer must obtain a loaded demonstration permit from MVED.

How to Get a Temporary License Plate in Utah?

1. Gather proof of ownership (title, bill of sale, or Form TC-843), proof of insurance, and valid photo ID.
2. For dealer purchase, the dealer issues the permit at the point of sale; no separate visit is required.
3. For a private sale of a Utah-registered vehicle, use the Utah Person to Person (UPP) process on the Motor Vehicle Portal to apply for title, registration, and temporary permit online.
4. For completed registration requiring inspections, use Renewal Express online or visit an On the SPOT kiosk or any DMV office.
5. Pay all applicable title, registration, and permit fees when applying.
6. Print the permit at home (online path) or receive it at the counter, then place it on the rear of the vehicle.

Dealers order permit forms using Form TC-756 from MVED.

How Much Does a Temporary License Plate Cost in Utah?

The dealer bears the registration fee for each dealer-issued temporary permit. A penalty equal to the registration fee applies if the permit remains unfulfilled after its expiration according to UCA 41-3-302(1)(d).

How to Get a Temporary License Plate Online in Utah?

Yes. Utah offers several online paths for obtaining temporary permits.

Private sale buyers can apply through the Motor Vehicle Portal (MVP) using the UPP title transfer process. The permit prints immediately at home after payment by credit or debit card.

Owners with completed registration can use Renewal Express to pay fees and print the permit while they complete required inspections. Title transfers from other states cannot use UPP and require an in-person DMV visit.

For dealer purchases, the dealership handles everything at closing; for private sales registered in Utah, the MVP portal is the fastest path.

How Long Can I Run a Temporary License Plate in Utah?

Operating without registration after the permit expires is a violation according to UCA 41-1a-1303. Utah residents who fail to register after establishing residency face a class C misdemeanor with a minimum fine of $1,000 according to UCA 41-1a-1303.5.