Last Update: August 24, 2026

Temporary Permits for Private or Commercial Vehicles in Texas

Texas issues timed temporary credentials that allow limited vehicle operation while permanent registration is pending, before full commercial credentials are active, or for movements exceeding statutory size and weight limits.

What Is a Temporary Vehicle Permit in Texas?

In Texas, a temporary vehicle permit is a timed credential issued by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), a participating county tax assessor-collector's office, or a TxDMV Regional Service Center. Each timed permit issues both a printed permit tag and a registration receipt that must be carried in the operating vehicle.

For commercial carriers crossing into Texas without active International Registration Plan (IRP) or International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) credentials, distinct credentials apply: an IRP-related 72-Hour or 144-Hour Permit from TxDMV and a temporary fuel trip permit from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Movements exceeding statutory size or weight require a separate oversize/overweight (OS/OW) permit issued through TxPROS.

Who May Need a Temporary Permit

A temporary permit may be required in the following situations:

• A private vehicle has been purchased, and a permanent Texas plate cannot be issued immediately because Texas registration prerequisites have not been satisfied.
• An unregistered commercial vehicle or bus owned by a resident of the United States, Mexico, or Canada must move through Texas before permanent registration can be issued.
• A commercial vehicle is registered with a heavier gross weight than reflected on its current Texas plate.
• A vehicle is registered in a non-reciprocal jurisdiction, lacks a prorate sticker or cab card, or is otherwise unable to legally operate in Texas.
• A vehicle or load exceeds Texas' legal size and weight limits.

Private Vehicle Temporary Tags in Texas

Dealer-Issued General Issue and Buyer Provisional Plates

Effective July 1, 2025, House Bill 718 requires Texas motor vehicle dealers to issue metal license plates at the time of sale in lieu of paper Buyer's Temporary Tags. Most buyers receive a General Issue License Plate registered in their name. When the dealer lacks the required plate type in stock, the dealer issues a purple Buyer Provisional License Plate for short-term use.

The Dealer Temporary License Plate (blue) is issued by TxDMV through the eLICENSING system for dealer business-related uses, including test drives and loaner vehicles. The same July 1, 2025 effective date replaced paper Dealer's Temporary Tags, paper 30-Day Permits, and paper One-Trip Permits with metal Temporary Registration License Plates and metal Temporary Registration Insignia for specialty plates.

30-Day Permits

TxDMV issues 30-Day Permits to qualifying non-commercial, light commercial, and certain commercial vehicles subject to Texas registration laws. A 30-Day Permit may be purchased up to 60 days before its effective date. The permit may not be issued to vehicles that will not be operated in Texas.

One-Trip Permits

A One-Trip Permit authorizes the temporary movement of an unladen vehicle or trailer between a single origin and a single destination when at least one endpoint is in Texas. The permit is valid for 15 days and costs $5.00, plus a $4.75 non-refundable processing and handling fee. One-Trip Permits may not be issued for laden vehicles, fixed-load vehicles, mobile offices, mobile laboratories, mobile bunkhouses, or manufactured housing.

Commercial Vehicle Temporary Permits in Texas

Commercial operators may obtain one or both timed permits administered by TxDMV, a separate fuel trip permit from the Comptroller, or an OS/OW permit through TxPROS.

72-Hour and 144-Hour Permits

A 72-Hour or 144-Hour Permit authorizes the temporary operation of an unregistered commercial vehicle or bus, or a Texas-registered commercial vehicle operating at a heavier gross weight than registered. Both permit types require a valid USDOT number and may not be issued to any salvage or non-repairable vehicle or to any apprehended vehicle.

Texas Temporary Fuel Trip Permit

A Texas Temporary Fuel Trip Permit is required for commercial operations by qualified motor vehicles entering Texas without current interstate trucker licensing or IFTA credentials when there are no more than five entries into the state during a calendar year. The permit fee is $50.00, is valid for a single entry, and remains valid for 20 days from the date of entry. A round trip through Texas constitutes two separate entries.

TxPROS Oversize/Overweight Permits

An OS/OW permit issued through TxPROS authorizes the movement of a non-divisible vehicle and/or load exceeding Texas legal size and weight limits up to 254,300 pounds. Permits are issued for a single, continuous movement between a designated origin and destination, during times specified on the permit. Special permit categories include the Manufactured Housing, Portable Building, and Superheavy permits.

When a Temporary Permit Is Required

A private vehicle owner may need a 30-Day Permit or a metal Temporary Registration License Plate after purchase when a full Texas title and registration cannot be issued before the vehicle enters Texas public roadways. A Texas dealer will issue a metal plate at the point of sale under HB 718 in nearly every retail transaction.

A commercial operator may need a temporary permit when:

• The vehicle or bus is unregistered in Texas and is owned by a resident of the United States, Mexico, or Canada.
• The vehicle is registered in a non-reciprocal jurisdiction or lacks an active prorate sticker.
• The vehicle is subject to Texas apportioned registration under IRP and is not yet apportioned for Texas travel.
• The vehicle is subject to IFTA fuel licensing without active IFTA credentials.
• The movement exceeds Texas’ size and weight limits.

How to Get a Temporary Permit in Texas

Where To Apply

Applications for 30-Day, One-Trip, 72-Hour, and 144-Hour Permits may be made through the TxDMV Online Temporary Permits System or at any participating county tax assessor-collector's office. Applications may also be submitted to a TxDMV Regional Service Center. OS/OW permits are issued through the TxPROS online portal, with telephone assistance available from the Oversize/Overweight Permits Office at (800) 299-1700.

The Texas Temporary Fuel Trip Permit is purchased through the Comptroller using the agency's Webfile system or by mail.

Documents Commonly Required

For a timed temporary permit on Form VTR-66, applicants submit:

• Proof of liability insurance meeting the Texas minimum liability limits of $30,000/$60,000/$25,000.
• Current government-issued photo identification. TxDMV accepts an identification document that is up to 12 months past its expiration date.
• Power of Attorney, when the application is submitted by a third party other than a dealer or leasing company.
• Vehicle inspection status, since any vehicle displaying a 72-hour or 144-hour permit must pass a Texas Safety Inspection prior to operation, unless current out-of-state plates are displayed.

For an OS/OW permit, the carrier must provide the exact dimensions and weight of the vehicle and load, the USDOT Number, and a Shipper's Certificate of Weight (Form 2280) when the combined gross weight exceeds 200,000 pounds.

Temporary Permit Fees in Texas

TxDMV publishes the following fees for timed temporary permits. A non-refundable processing and handling fee of $4.75 per permit is assessed for online, county tax office, and Regional Service Center transactions.

Oversize/Overweight permit fees vary by category. The General Single-Trip Permit carries a $60.00 permit fee plus a sliding-scale highway maintenance fee for loads exceeding 80,000 pounds.

Loads exceeding 200,000 pounds require at least 95 feet of total axle spacing and a $35.00 vehicle supervision fee, for a total of $470.00. Manufactured Housing, Portable Building, and Superheavy permits carry distinct fee schedules published within their respective TxDMV pages.

Can a Texas Temporary Permit Be Used Across State Lines?

A Texas-timed temporary permit is valid only for operation in Texas. The 30-Day, One-Trip, 72-Hour, and 144-Hour Permits may not be issued to any vehicle that will be operated solely outside of Texas. A Texas Fuel Trip Permit covers a single entry into Texas; a separate trip permit is required for each state in which travel occurs.

HB 718 metal General Issue Plates issued at the point of sale by a Texas dealer are registered in the buyer's name and travel with the vehicle into any jurisdiction. Oversize/overweight movement remains subject to Texas-issued TxPROS permitting, independent of trip-permit status and without reciprocity for through-movement in other states.

Penalties for Driving Without the Proper Temporary Permit

Texas imposes a layered penalty regime on operation without the required timed permit.

• Under Texas Transportation Code § 502.474, a person commits an offense when operating a vehicle for which a one-trip permit is required without the registration receipt and properly displayed permit tag.
• Under Texas Transportation Code § 503 of the Dealer's and Manufacturer's License Plate chapter, general offenses against the dealer's and manufacturer's licensing law are misdemeanors punishable by a fine of not less than $50.00 or more than $5,000.00.
• Under Texas Transportation Code § 504.945, misuse of fictitious or unauthorized license plates is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $200.00, with elevated fines for repeat offenses.
• Operation without a required OS/OW permit may subject the operator to a $10,000 Permit Surety Bond requirement and additional enforcement fees under the Department of Public Safety OS/OW enforcement program.
• A motor vehicle operator who fails to obtain a Texas Fuel Trip Permit before operating a qualified motor vehicle over Texas highways is subject to penalties under the Texas Tax Code.

Contact Information

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
4000 Jackson Avenue, Austin, TX 78731
Phone: (512) 465-3000
Official Website: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles