Temporary Plates for Non-Residents: How Temp Tags Work

Can a non-resident get temporary plates for a car bought in the US? Yes. Most buyers drive away on a temp tag, a temporary registration that lets you use the vehicle while its permanent registration is in process. A dealer usually issues one at the sale; after a private sale, some states issue one from a state office. If you register with visitor.us, we issue a printable 40-day Montana temp tag within one business day of your request, so you can drive while your Montana plates are being issued.

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What are temp tags?

Temporary registration permits, one-trip permits, in-transit tags, drive-away tags - these are all names for a document that allows a vehicle to be driven while its registration is in process.

Like vehicle registrations, temp tag rules are set by the US states, so each state’s temp tag looks different, and has a different duration (although the most common duration is 30 days).

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Who issues temp tags?

In most US states, licensed auto dealers are authorized to issue temp tags.  When you buy a vehicle from an authorized dealer, the dealer generates your temp tag and attaches it to your vehicle, allowing you to drive the vehicle off the lot.

Some US states allow vehicle buyers to obtain a temp tag from a state office, to allow buyers of privately-sold vehicles to drive while their registration is in process.

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How does visitor.us issue temp tags?

visitor.us is an authorized Montana auto dealer, which allows us to generate 40-day Montana temp tags for our customers.

Unlike other states, many of whom issue temp tags on special paper, Montana’s temp tags are a PDF document.

We generate temp tags within one business day of your request within the autos.visitor.us dashboard, and notify you by email when your temp tag is ready.  Simply download, print, and attach the temp tag to your vehicle. You can request it as soon as you have entered your vehicle's details (see Step 3: Temporary Registration).

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Insurance and temp tags

Insurance policies cover vehicles that drive with temp tags.

Drivers don’t have to get a new policy when they switch from temp tags to license plates.

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What else should I consider before requesting a temp tag from visitor.us?

When requesting your temp tag from visitor.us, please keep the following in mind:

• Your temp tag will be valid for 40 days from the date of issuance - so don’t request one too long before you need it.
• Temp tags are recognized throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico’s free zones (Baja, Sonora, Quintana Roo), but not outside those areas.
• If you've been issued a temp tag by another party (e.g., the selling dealer), you should wait until the temp tag that you have been issued is within one week of expiration to request an additional temp tag from visitor.us, in case the seller delays sending the vehicle’s paperwork to visitor.us for registration.

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Frequently asked questions

How can a non-resident get temporary plates for a car bought in the US?

From the selling dealer, from a state office in some states after a private sale, or, if you register with visitor.us, as a printable 40-day Montana temp tag issued within one business day of your request.

What does a temporary registration look like?

It depends on the state. Dealer temp tags are usually a printed paper tag displayed where the license plate goes or in the rear window. A Montana temp tag is a printable PDF; you can see an example above.

How long is a Montana temp tag valid?

40 days from the date it is issued.

How long until I get permanent plates?

Your plates and registration reach our office within 10 days of receiving your properly signed prior title, and we then ship them to you. Your 40-day temp tag covers you in the meantime.

Do I need a new insurance policy when my plates arrive?

No. Insurance policies cover vehicles driving on temp tags, and the same policy continues once the plates are on.

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Conclusion

Temp tags are a common piece of the US vehicle purchase experience - you will see many vehicles with temp tags on the road here.

One of the many benefits of using visitor.us is the ability to hit the road right away with 40-day printable Montana temp tags.

You can learn more about how Personal Registration works, and if you’re ready to move forward with visitor.us today, click the Get Started button below.

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