Texas Temporary Permits and Temporary Registration Plates in 2026

The Vehicle Transit Permit, free

The TxDMV's temporary registration page offers a free permit to a buyer of a car or truck whose seller keeps the Texas plates: printed at permit.txdmv.gov, valid five calendar days from the day it is printed, for one trip between the point of origin and the destination with any intermediate points named on it, so the buyer can legally drive home or to the county tax office. It is limited to passenger vehicles of 6,000 pounds or less and light trucks of 10,000 pounds or less, one permit per vehicle sale, never for a salvage or nonrepairable vehicle; proof of insurance at the Texas minimums is required, the vehicle is exempt from inspection while the permit runs, and the receipt is carried in the vehicle.

The 30-Day Temporary Registration License Plate, $25

For the temporary movement of a qualifying non-commercial or light commercial vehicle: passenger vehicles, private buses, trailers and semitrailers up to 10,000 pounds gross weight, light commercial vehicles up to 10,000 pounds, and heavier commercial vehicles when running empty. It is valid 30 calendar days to the date on the receipt, may be bought up to 60 days before it takes effect, may be extended on request, is not issued to a vehicle with a salvage or nonrepairable title, and is not available to a vehicle that will not be operated in Texas. Apply with the Application for Timed Temporary Permits (VTR-66), proof of insurance and a current government-issued photo ID (a power of attorney for anyone applying for someone else other than a dealer or leasing company) at a county tax office or a TxDMV regional service center, where appointments are encouraged but not required; the fee is $25 plus the $4.75 processing and handling fee. The vehicle is exempt from inspection while the plate is valid, except that in the 17 emissions counties the TxDMV's FAQ requires proof of a passing emissions inspection to get the plate.

The One-Trip Temporary Registration License Plate, $5

For the temporary movement of an unladen vehicle subject to Texas registration, for one trip between the point of origin and the destination and the intermediate point on the receipt, with one end in Texas, valid 15 calendar days from its effective date and purchasable in advance. The TxDMV lists the eligible vehicles: a bus in transit without property or passengers unless chartered from another state, a charter bus from another state or country or a private bus with passengers, a commercial vehicle running empty or carrying a camper unit, a passenger vehicle, an unladen truck or truck-tractor with an unladen trailer (two plates if both are unregistered), a travel trailer, a house trailer of 400 square feet or less, and a motorcycle. It is not issued for manufactured housing, a Texas charter bus carrying passengers, a commercial vehicle hauling the owner's household goods, a boat trailer carrying a boat, a laden luggage or utility trailer, a vehicle with a fixed load, a vehicle apprehended for operating unregistered, a junk, salvage or nonrepairable vehicle, or a trip that starts and ends outside Texas. It costs $5 plus the $4.75 processing fee at a county tax office or a regional service center, requires proof of insurance except for trailers, and exempts the vehicle from inspection.

The 72-hour and 144-hour permits for commercial vehicles

Issued for the movement of laden commercial trucks, truck-tractors, trailers, semitrailers and motor buses owned by residents of the United States, Mexico or Canada, with a valid USDOT number required: $25 for 72 hours and $50 for 144 hours, plus $4.75 each, bought online, at a county tax office or at a regional service center, in advance and in sequence if several are needed. They allow an unregistered commercial vehicle or bus to operate in Texas, an out-of-state commercial vehicle to run intrastate in Texas, a Texas vehicle to carry more than its registered weight for the permit period, and a farm or soil conservation plated vehicle to exceed its weight limit, at the maximum weight Texas registration allows and only in Texas; they are refused to salvage or nonrepairable vehicles, apprehended vehicles and vehicles operated only outside Texas. A vehicle on one must pass a Texas safety inspection unless it carries current out-of-state plates or is mobile drilling or servicing equipment for gas or oil production, and proof of liability insurance at the Texas minimums is required except for trailers, or a TxDMV motor carrier registration listing. The TxDMV page sets out the combination rules for truck-tractors and semitrailers with token trailer plates, combination plates and apportioned registration.

Payment, display and the rest

Fees are payable by MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express online or at a county tax office that accepts them, possibly with a service charge; by certified check or money order payable to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles at a regional service center; from a pre-established escrow account; or in cash. Personal checks are not accepted, and the TxDMV's FAQ says the regional service centers take no credit cards for permits. A temporary registration plate is fastened to the exterior rear of the vehicle, upright, at least 12 inches off the ground, clearly visible and legible, with the receipt carried in the vehicle throughout; a transit permit receipt is carried the same way. A permit valid only in Texas may not be honored in another state, so the TxDMV says to check before leaving. Buying a permit in person takes the VIN, the USDOT number for the commercial permits, a photo ID, proof of insurance, and the emissions proof for a 30-day plate in an emissions county, as the TxDMV's FAQ lists; the fees page carries every amount.

Questions about temporary permits

Which permit do I need for a car I just bought?

A free Vehicle Transit Permit if the seller kept the plates, printed online and good for five calendar days and one trip home or to the county tax office. If the vehicle has no registration and the title work will take longer, a 30-Day Temporary Registration License Plate for $25 plus $4.75 from the county tax office or a regional service center.

Can I buy a temporary permit online?

Only the 72-hour and 144-hour commercial permits and the free transit permit. The one-trip and 30-day plates are bought in person at a county tax office or a TxDMV regional service center.

Does a permit replace registration?

No. The TxDMV says a temporary permit allows the temporary operation of a vehicle without registration and cannot be used in place of regular registration; most are bought when a vehicle was purchased with expired registration, has no plates, or the plates are still coming.

Is an inspection required?

A vehicle on a one-trip or 30-day plate or a transit permit is exempt from Texas inspection requirements; a 72-hour or 144-hour permit needs a Texas safety inspection unless the vehicle carries current out-of-state plates or is mobile drilling or servicing equipment for oil and gas. In the 17 emissions counties, proof of a passing emissions inspection is required to buy a 30-day permit.

How can I pay?

MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express online or at a county office that accepts them (a service charge may apply), a certified check or money order at a regional service center, cash, or a pre-established escrow account. Personal checks are not accepted, and regional service centers take no credit cards for permits.

My dealer closed before registering my car.

The TxDMV issues one 30-Day Permit at no fee to a buyer whose dealer went out of business without applying for title, along with a letter from a regional service center waiving the fees shown to have been paid to the dealer; the dealer problems guide has the steps.