(since Jul 2025)
Texas eliminated paper temporary tags for dealer sales. All buyers now receive a metal temporary license plate at the time of purchase. Paper tags are no longer valid for dealer-issued temp registration in Texas. If a dealer tries to give you a paper tag for a domestic purchase after July 1, 2025, that is not compliant with current TxDMV rules.
The Big Change: Texas Metal Temp Plates Explained
Texas made national news in 2025 by becoming one of the first states to mandate metal temporary license plates for dealer-sold vehicles. The move was driven by a massive fraud problem: by some estimates, hundreds of thousands of counterfeit or stolen paper temp tags were circulating in Texas annually, used to disguise stolen vehicles, avoid tolls on the North Texas highway system, and evade law enforcement identification.
Starting July 1, 2025, licensed Texas dealers must issue a metal temporary plate — not paper — for every domestic vehicle sale. These plates:
- Are issued by TxDMV-authorized dealers and look similar to permanent plates but are marked with an expiration date
- Are electronically registered in the TxDMV system at the time of issuance — law enforcement can verify them by running the plate number
- Must be mounted in the license plate bracket, front and rear (for vehicles requiring two plates), not in the window
- Are valid for 30 days from the date of issuance
Texas Temp Tag Types (2026)
Texas has several distinct permit types depending on the purchase situation:
| Tag Type | Who Gets It | Valid For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buyer's Temporary Tag | Texas residents buying from TX dealer | 30 days | Metal plate. Issued at dealership. Registered electronically. |
| Out-of-State Buyer Tag | Non-Texas residents buying from TX dealer | 60 days | Allows extra time to register in home state. Paper or metal depending on dealer. |
| Vehicle Transit Permit | Moving a vehicle from Point A to Point B | 5 days | Not for general use. Strictly point-to-point transport. |
| 30-Day Permit (Private Sale) | Buyers in private vehicle sales | 30 days | Obtained at county tax assessor-collector office. Paper. |
| Dealer Plate (Demo/Test Drive) | Dealer-operated vehicles | Ongoing | Not for buyers. Dealer use only for loaner/test drive vehicles. |
What To Do When Your Texas Temp Tag Expires
This is the most searched question about Texas temp tags in 2026 — and for good reason. Title processing backlogs at TxDMV and county tax offices mean permanent plates sometimes don't arrive within the 30-day window.
If You Bought From a Dealer
The dealer is legally required to submit your title application to TxDMV within 20 business days of the sale. If they haven't done this, they are in violation of TxDMV dealer licensing rules.
- Call the dealership's title department directly — not sales. Ask: "Has my title been submitted to TxDMV? What is the submission date and processing status?"
- If the dealer confirms submission but plates haven't arrived, request they issue a new metal temporary plate. Dealers can issue a second tag when the delay is due to TxDMV processing, not dealer error.
- If the dealer is unresponsive or refuses to issue a replacement tag, file a complaint with TxDMV Motor Vehicle Division at txdmv.gov/complaints.
- Do not drive the vehicle on an expired temp plate. Texas law enforcement will stop vehicles with expired tags, and the electronic registration database will show the tag as expired when run.
If You Bought From a Private Seller
Visit your county tax assessor-collector office immediately. Bring:
- Signed title (Texas title or out-of-state title endorsed to you)
- Completed Application for Texas Title (Form 130-U)
- Proof of Texas liability insurance
- Valid Texas driver's license or ID
- Payment for title transfer fee ($33) + registration fee + any applicable sales tax (6.25% of purchase price)
The county tax office can issue a new 30-day permit on the spot while your permanent registration is processed.
Harris County (Houston): Multiple locations; see hctax.net/AutoRegistration
Dallas County: dallascounty.org/taxoffice
Tarrant County (Fort Worth): tarrantcounty.com/taxoffice
Travis County (Austin): tax.traviscountytx.gov
Bexar County (San Antonio): bexar.org/taxassessor
Private Vehicle Sales in Texas
When buying a vehicle from a private individual in Texas, the process is different from dealer purchases:
- The seller must provide you with the properly assigned Texas title (or out-of-state title). Both buyer and seller sign the title.
- Before driving the vehicle, visit your county tax assessor-collector office to obtain a 30-day transit permit. You cannot legally drive a newly purchased vehicle on the seller's plates.
- At the tax office, you'll complete the title transfer, pay sales tax and fees, and receive your permit.
- Submit your registration application within the 30-day window. Permanent plates typically arrive by mail within 2–3 weeks of processing.
Driving Out of Texas on a Texas Temp Tag
A valid Texas metal temp plate is recognized by all neighboring states (Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico) and virtually all other U.S. states. The electronic registration ensures officers in other states can verify the tag's validity by running the plate number.
For out-of-state buyers who purchased in Texas, the 60-day out-of-state buyer tag gives extra time to drive to your home state and complete registration there.
Texas Temp Tag Fraud — What to Watch For
Texas had the worst temp tag fraud problem in the nation prior to 2025. Even with metal plates now required, some fraud patterns persist:
- Altered expiration dates: Fraudsters modify the date on metal plates. Law enforcement now verifies expiration electronically — an altered date that doesn't match the database will flag immediately.
- Plates from closed dealers: If a dealer loses their license, any plates they issued may still be in circulation. These are now flagged in the TxDMV system.
- Private sale workarounds: Sellers who insist you can "drive home on my plates" are putting you at legal risk. Don't accept this. Get a proper transit permit.