Mississippi Temporary License Plate

What Is a Temporary License Plate in Mississippi?

A temporary license plate in Mississippi is a short-term paper tag that allows highway travel until permanent registration. The Mississippi Department of Revenue oversees this program under Miss. Code Ann. §27-19-40.

Licensed dealers and auto auctions issue temporary tags to buyers at the point of sale. Dealers also use a separate transit tag to move inventory between business locations. The Department of Transportation issues trip permits for non-resident commercial operators.

All temporary tags are paper documents attached to the rear of the vehicle where a license plate would normally be affixed.

What Types of Temporary License Plates Are There in Mississippi?

No class is subject to renewal or extension. 35 Miss. Code R. 7-04-03-101 confirms that the seven-day term for buyer’s temporary tags will not be extended.

When Is a Temporary License Plate Required in Mississippi?

• A non-resident purchasing a vehicle from a dealer in Mississippi receives a temporary tag for legal travel to their home state under §27-19-40(2).
• A Mississippi resident who must temporarily leave the state before registering a newly purchased vehicle may also receive a temporary tag from the seller.
• Dealers and auto auctions moving inventory between business locations must have a transit tag under §27-19-40(1).
• A rental company receiving a vehicle from a dealer receives a temporary tag under §27-19-40(4) for operation while registration is completed.
• A non-resident operating a commercial vehicle over 26,000 lbs GVW must have a trip permit under §27-19-79.

How to Get a Temporary License Plate in Mississippi?

1. Complete the vehicle purchase from a licensed dealer or auto auction in Mississippi.
2. The dealer issues the temporary tag at the point of sale; a separate visit to an office for buyer’s tags is not required.
3. For transit tags, the dealer contacts the Mississippi Department of Revenue directly and purchases tags in bulk.
4. Pay the applicable fee described in the next section.
5. Attach the paper tag to the rear of the vehicle in a visible location.

Dealers use Form 76-906, Application for Temporary/Transit Tags to order a supply of tags from MDOR.

How Much Does a Temporary License Plate Cost in Mississippi?

Dealers purchase a supply of tags in bulk from MDOR at the rates above, as currently published by the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

How to Get a Temporary License Plate Online in Mississippi?

No. Mississippi does not offer temporary tags or transit tags through an online portal for consumers.

Dealers order a supply of tags from MDOR via MV E-Services or by submitting Form 76-906. Buyers receive their tag at the dealer’s counter.

Residents who need to register (not obtain a temporary tag) a vehicle visit their local county tax collector’s office. Some counties offer online tag renewals, but this applies only to permanent registration.

The temporary tag issued by the dealer at the point of sale is the only path for buyers.

How Long Can I Run a Temporary License Plate in Mississippi?

Operating after the permit’s expiration without a valid license for privilege is an offense under §27-19-131. Buyers must register at the county tax collector’s office within 30 business days of purchase.