To do so legally, you’ll need to get a temporary license plate, also known as a temporary tag, in order to legally drive. In the meantime, you’ll probably want to drive your newly-purchased vehicle. You’ll need to register the car in your name with your state’s DMV, and apply for new license plates. See our state-by-state guide to license plates in a private vehicle transaction. In most states, when you buy a used car from a private seller, the seller is required to remove the license plates before letting you take possession of the car. What are the restrictions for temporary plates? Why do you need temporary license plates?
How much does a temporary license plate cost? How Do I Get a Temp Tag After a Private Purchase? They are a stop-gap while your car registration application is being processed. Temporary license plates are used to identify a vehicle until a permanent license plate is issued and can be mounted on a vehicle.