Last Update: August 24, 2026

Temporary Permits for Private or Commercial Vehicles in Florida

Florida provides temporary vehicle credentials that allow limited operation before permanent registration is completed or, for commercial carriers, before full apportioned registration and fuel tax licensing are activated. For private vehicles, the credential is a temporary license plate valid for a period specified by the purpose of issuance. For commercial operations, the applicable credential may be an IRP trip permit, an IFTA fuel permit, or a specialized permit for heavy vehicle operations.

What Is a Temporary Vehicle Permit in Florida?

In Florida, a temporary vehicle permit for a standard motor vehicle is a temporary license plate issued under Florida Statutes Section 320.131. Temporary license plates may be used for a period of 10, 30, 60, or 90 days according to the purpose for which the plate is issued. The fee for a temporary tag is $2 per plate, with one dollar from each tag sold deposited into the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program Trust Fund and the remaining proceeds deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund.

For commercial carriers, Florida distinguishes between registration-related trip permits and fuel-related permits. Under Florida's International Registration Plan (IRP) regulations, an apportionable vehicle must be a power unit with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds, have three or more axles regardless of weight, or be a power unit and trailer combination with a combined gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds. A Florida Temporary Trip Permit is valid for 10 days and costs $30.

For International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) qualified vehicles, a Florida Temporary Fuel Use Permit is valid for 10 days and costs $45. Qualified motor vehicles include those with two axles and a gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds, vehicles with three or more axles regardless of weight, and vehicles in combination when the combined weight exceeds 26,000 pounds.

Who May Need a Temporary Permit

A temporary permit may be required in the following situations:

• A private vehicle has been purchased, and a permanent license plate cannot be issued immediately.
• A motor vehicle is required to be weighed or emission tested prior to registration.
• A vehicle identification number (VIN) verification or inspection is required before title or registration can be completed.
• Ownership documentation from another state is needed to complete Florida title transfer.
• A motor vehicle is sold to an out-of-state resident and will be driven to another state for registration.
• A personalized or specialty license plate is being manufactured.
• A commercial vehicle enters Florida with non-Florida IRP registration.
• A carrier operates an IFTA-qualified vehicle without a valid IFTA license in Florida.
• A commercial vehicle requires movement without a full load while searching for employment.

Private Vehicle Temporary Tags in Florida

For private vehicles, Florida allows temporary license plates for various purposes and durations. Ten-day temporary license plates may be issued when a motor vehicle is required to be weighed for registration purposes or when a vehicle requires VIN verification or inspection to apply for a Florida Certificate of Title or registration.

Thirty-day temporary license plates may be issued under multiple circumstances including casual or private sales, repossessions by banks or financial institutions, sales to out-of-state residents for registration in another state, situations requiring out-of-state residents to secure ownership documentation from their home state, vessel trailer dealer sales, and use on commercial vehicles (heavy trucks) carrying a load if the vehicle remains in Florida. For commercial vehicles traveling out of state, a trip permit for the International Registration Plan (IRP) and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is required.

Thirty-day temporary plates issued by motor vehicle dealers for newly purchased vehicles are the most common use. Dealers may issue temporary tags to customers who do not have a license plate to transfer, allowing them to drive their newly purchased vehicle off the lot while the title and registration are being processed.

Ninety-day temporary license plates may be issued in two circumstances: when a customer applies for a personalized or specialty license plate while the plate is being manufactured, and when a customer is temporarily employed in Florida.

Temporary license plates must be conspicuously displayed in the rear license plate bracket or, for vehicles requiring front display of license plates, on the front of the vehicle in the location where the metal license plate would normally be displayed. The department specifies the media on which the temporary tag is printed, requiring nonpermeable or weatherproof material that maintains structural integrity and graphic adhesion in all weather conditions.

Commercial Vehicle Temporary Permits in Florida

Commercial vehicles may require temporary operating authority before full apportioned registration and fuel tax licensing credentials are activated. Florida recognizes the following temporary commercial permits:

• IRP trip permit for vehicles operating across state lines that are not apportioned for Florida travel. Qualified apportionable vehicles must be part of a declared fleet operating in Florida and at least one other IRP jurisdiction and must have an established place of business in Florida.
• IFTA trip permit for carriers needing fuel-tax licensing authority. Carriers from out of state operating an IFTA-qualified vehicle without an IFTA license must purchase a Florida fuel use permit to operate in Florida.
• Hunter permit for owner-operators moving empty trucks while searching for employment. Out-of-state owner-operators not maintaining IRP registration in their own name and between lease agreements may obtain a Hunter Permit. Florida recognizes valid Hunter permits from other jurisdictions and allows travel in Florida without additional purchase.

The Florida Hunter Permit is valid for 10 days and costs $5. Florida-based owner-operators may obtain a Florida Hunter Permit to move vehicles without a load while searching for employment, and other jurisdictions recognize valid Florida Hunter Permits.

When a Temporary Permit Is Required

A private vehicle may need a temporary tag when a permanent Florida license plate cannot be issued immediately due to pending ownership documentation, vehicle inspection requirements, or emissions testing needs. Ten-day temporary plates are issued when vehicles require weighing, VIN verification, or inspection prior to registration. Thirty-day temporary plates are issued for casual sales, out-of-state transfers, and similar circumstances requiring temporary use. Ninety-day temporary plates are issued while specialty plates are manufactured or when employment in Florida is temporary.

A commercial vehicle may need a temporary permit when:

• The vehicle is subject to IRP and is not currently apportioned for Florida travel.
• The vehicle is an IFTA-qualified vehicle, and fuel-tax licensing is not yet active in Florida.
• The vehicle operates as an empty truck during employment searches.

Out-of-state registered vehicles eligible for apportioned registration but not apportioned with Florida must obtain a trip permit prior to entry into the state. The permit must remain with the vehicle while in Florida and be valid for 10 days. A duplicate or photocopy is not acceptable. The trip permit allows both interstate and intrastate operation in Florida.

How to Get a Temporary Permit in Florida

Where To Apply

For private vehicles, temporary license plates may be obtained at any county tax collector's office. Temporary tags are also commonly issued by motor vehicle dealers for newly purchased vehicles.

For commercial carriers, IRP trip permits and IFTA fuel permits are obtained exclusively through the FLHSMV Commercial Vehicle Permit Portal. Carriers may also contact the Bureau of Commercial Vehicle and Driver Services at (850) 617-3711 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to obtain permits by phone. Effective November 1, 2021, Florida temporary trip and fuel permits are issued only by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles through its online portal. The department no longer utilizes designated authorized agents to issue permits on behalf of the State of Florida.

Documents Commonly Required

Florida lists the following registration prerequisites. For private vehicle temporary registrations, required documents typically include:

• Proof of identity required for all owners.
• Proof of Florida insurance covering the vehicle.
• A completed Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration (HSMV Form 82040).
• Vehicle identification number (VIN) and vehicle information for inspection or verification.

For commercial temporary registrations and IRP applications, the required documents include:

• Completed IRP application and required forms.
• Evidence of an established place of business in Florida from which motor carrier operations are performed.
• Proof that operational control and records for qualified motor vehicles are maintained in Florida.
• Evidence that qualified motor vehicles actually travel on Florida highways.
• Proof of valid liability insurance meeting state requirements.
• For vehicles registered at 55,000 pounds or more, proof of payment of the federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT), demonstrated by a stamped, received IRS Form 2290, Schedule 1, or a copy of the electronically filed form.

For IFTA applications, carriers must establish Florida as their base jurisdiction (with qualified motor vehicles registered in Florida, an established place of business in Florida, operational records maintained in Florida, and qualified vehicles actually traveling Florida highways) and apply through the Motor Carrier Services Section.

Temporary Permit Fees in Florida

Florida publishes fees for temporary license plates, commercial trip permits, and registration charges through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The table below summarizes the principal permit costs:

Can A Florida Temporary Permit Be Used Across State Lines?

For private vehicles, Florida states that temporary license plates issued to out-of-state residents for vehicle purchases may be used to transport the vehicle to another state for registration. Thirty-day temporary plates are specifically issued when a motor vehicle is sold to a resident of another state for registration in that state.

For commercial carriers, a current and valid IRP trip permit authorizes both interstate and intrastate operations in Florida. The trip permit must be vehicle-specific and must remain with the vehicle while in Florida. IFTA temporary fuel permits valid for 10 days applies only to Florida operations. If a carrier is based in another state and traveling to other jurisdictions, temporary permits must be obtained from each jurisdiction in which the carrier plans to operate.

Penalties for Driving Without the Proper Temporary Permit

Florida imposes penalties for misusing temporary tags, operating unregistered vehicles, and operating commercially without required permits.

Under Florida Statutes Section 320.131, knowingly misusing temporary tags to avoid registration is a first-degree misdemeanor, and issuing tags to fictitious entities is a third-degree felony. Under F.S. § 320.07, delinquent registration fees apply on the 11th day after the renewal period ends. Under commercial vehicle enforcement regulations, unregistered or expired IRP vehicles incur weight-based penalties, and IFTA violations trigger an emergency fuel permit fee plus a $50 penalty.

Contact Information

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
2900 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 617-2000
Official Website: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles