What Is a Temporary License Plate in California?
California issues short-term operating permits under several different names: Temporary License Plate (TLP), Temporary Operating Permit (TOP), One-Trip Permit, Vehicle Moving Permit, and two Nonresident Permits. Each name is an official term of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, published on the California DMV Vehicle Registration Portal.
Permit issuance is distributed by transaction: licensed California dealers print and attach TLPs at the point of sale through the dealer reporting system per California Vehicle Code (CVC) § 4456.2; California DMV field offices issue TOPs, One-Trip Permits, and Nonresident Permits; California Highway Patrol offices, auto clubs, and business partner agents issue Vehicle Moving Permits.
TLPs are paper tags printed on-site. TOPs are two-part paper forms (REG 19F) with a validation sticker (REG 19S). One-Trip Permits and Vehicle Moving Permits are paper documents displayed on the vehicle.
What Types of Temporary License Plates Are There in California?
| Class | Official Name | Trigger | Issuing Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Temporary License Plate (TLP) | Dealer sale; vehicle lacks existing CA plates | Licensed CA dealer via dealer reporting system |
| 2 | Temporary Operating Permit (TOP) (REG 19F), 30 days | Incomplete registration: nonresident, impound, initial smog failure, VIN referral from CHP | California DMV field office |
| 3 | Temporary Operating Permit (TOP) (REG 19F), 60 days | Biennial smog failure; initial smog failure (fees paid); recovery hold reinstatement; pending mail processing of sequential plates | California DMV field office |
| 4 | Temporary Operating Permit (TOP) (REG 19F), 90 days | Application sent to DMV headquarters; pending personalized plates assignment | California DMV field office |
| 5 | One-Trip Permit (REG 402T) | One unladen trip in lieu of CA registration; lawful parade/exhibition trip | California DMV field office |
| 6 | Vehicle Moving Permit (REG 172) | One-day movement: storage, repair, dismantling, VIN/smog/weight inspection, transport to dealer depot | CA DMV, CHP, auto club, business partner agent |
| 7 | Nonresident Daily Commuter Permit (REG 150) | AZ, NV, or OR resident commuting daily to CA for work | California DMV field office |
| 8 | Foreign Resident Transit Permit (REG 34) | Foreign national purchasing a new American vehicle in CA for export | California DMV field office |
No extensions are published for any class; the 60-day biennial smog TOP is limited to one issuance per vehicle per two-year period per CVC § 4156.
When Is a Temporary License Plate Required in California?
- A licensed California dealer must print and attach a TLP to any vehicle that does not yet have California plates before delivering it to the buyer; CVC § 4456(a)(9) makes this a dealer obligation, not a buyer choice.
- An out-of-state buyer taking delivery of a vehicle in California and registering it in their home state may display a TLP for the transit period or obtain a One-Trip Permit (REG 402T) per CVC § 4003 if no dealer-issued plate covers the trip.
- Licensed dealers, manufacturers, and distributors moving unregistered vehicles for transport, delivery, or test drive for up to seven days must display special plates issued per CVC § 11715; a Vehicle Moving Permit (REG 172) covers dealer movement of a vehicle from a ship, depot, or warehouse.
- An Arizona, Nevada, or Oregon resident commuting daily to California for work must have a Nonresident Daily Commuter Permit (REG 150) per CVC §§ 6700.25 and 6700.3; driving without it is a registration violation per CVC § 4000(a).
- An owner whose vehicle fails a biennial smog certification test must obtain a 60-day biennial smog TOP before operating the vehicle after registration expiration; only one such TOP may be issued per vehicle in a two-year period.
How to Get a Temporary License Plate in California?
- Gather documents: bill of sale or manufacturer’s certificate of origin, proof of California minimum liability insurance, government-issued photo ID, and (for Nonresident Daily Commuter Permit or Foreign Resident Transit Permit) completed REG 150 or REG 34 form plus home state registration or passport and visa.
- Choose a line: licensed California dealer at point of sale for TLP; California DMV field office for TOP, One-Trip Permit, or Nonresident Permit; CHP office, auto club, or business partner agent for Vehicle Moving Permit.
- Submit request at dealer counter (TLP, issued automatically), in person at DMV field office, or through California DMV Virtual Office for TOP-eligible cases; mail submission is not available for any permit class.
- Pay applicable fee for class in the next section; the $50 biennial smog TOP fee may be waived with a compliance letter from the Bureau of Automotive Repair CAP.
- Receive credentials: TLPs are printed at the dealer counter and affixed before delivery; TOPs (REG 19F with REG 19S sticker) are issued at the DMV counter; One-Trip Permits and Vehicle Moving Permits are paper documents handed over at the counter or signing agent.
California DMV Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual, Chapter 25 covers all permit compliance rules and form numbers.
How Much Does a Temporary License Plate Cost in California?
| Class | Fee | Additional | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLP | Free to buyer | None | Dealer (system cost) |
| TOP (REG 19F), 30 days | No separate fee (registration fees already paid) | None | Registrant |
| TOP (REG 19F), 60 days (biennial smog) | $50 non-refundable | BAR CAP LOE waives fee | Registrant |
| TOP (REG 19F), 60 days (other) and 90 days | No separate fee (registration fees already paid) | None | Registrant |
| One-Trip Permit (REG 402T) | $28 per permit | None | Applicant |
| Vehicle Moving Permit (REG 172) | Free | None | N/A |
| Nonresident Daily Commuter Permit (REG 150) | $28 per year | Not prorated | Commuter |
| Foreign Resident Transit Permit (REG 34) | $60 non-refundable | None | Foreign buyer |
Fees are sourced from the California DMV Appendix 1F Fee Schedule; credit/debit card payment in-office carries a 2.1% service charge, while online payments carry a fee from 1.95% to 2.0%.
How to Get a Temporary License Plate Online in California?
Online issuance is partial: the California DMV Virtual Office only supports TOP applications, while TLPs are generated through the dealer reporting system at the point of sale without a buyer portal requirement.
For TOPs, submit documents and forms through the California DMV Virtual Office at dmv.ca.gov; a DMV representative reviews the submission and confirms compliance before issuing the permit. Payment methods include checking account (no markup), credit or debit card (1.95%), Apple Pay, and Google Pay (2.0%).
One-Trip Permits, Vehicle Moving Permits, and Nonresident Permits require an in-person visit to a California DMV field office; CHP offices and auto club locations also issue Vehicle Moving Permits.
If your case qualifies for a TOP, use the DMV Virtual Office; for a new vehicle purchase, a TLP is issued at the California dealership at the point of sale, which is the primary path for most buyers.
How Long Can I Run a Temporary License Plate in California?
| Class | Duration | Mileage or Geographic Restriction | Extension |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLP | 90 days from sale date or until permanent plates are received | None | None; CVC § 4456(c) |
| TOP (REG 19F), 30 days | 30 days | None | None |
| TOP (REG 19F), 60 days (biennial smog) | 60 days from registration expiration or PNO removal date | None | None; one per vehicle per two years |
| TOP (REG 19F), 60 days (other) and 90 days | 60 or 90 days from issuance date | None | None |
| One-Trip Permit (REG 402T) | One continuous trip; round-trip parade/exhibition trip within 60 days | 100-mile limit for round-trip parade/exhibition trips; CVC § 4003 | None; one permit per trip |
| Vehicle Moving Permit (REG 172) | One day; movement date entered before vehicle move | Vehicle must move within 60 days of permit issuance | None |
| Nonresident Daily Commuter Permit (REG 150) | Annual | 35 air miles from California border; CVC § 6700.25 | Annual renewal required |
| Foreign Resident Transit Permit (REG 34) | 30 days | Vehicle must leave the U.S. or reach carrier before expiration | None; CVC § 6700.1 |
Operating a vehicle after permit or TLP expiration violates CVC § 4000(a)(1); as of July 1, 2024, enforcement actions cannot be taken solely for expired registration until the second month after the expiration month, per AB 256 (effective until January 1, 2030).