, you can only get a temporary license plate—or temp tag—issued to you from a licensed dealership. Most temporary tags will expire within 30 days.

Temporary license plates can be a magnet for fraud. To combat this criminal activity, New Jersey allows only licensed dealers to issue drivers “temp tags” so long as they can provide the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) with proof of their authorization.

As a driver purchasing a vehicle, however, the restrictions on temporary license plates in New Jersey can make matters complicated if your regular plates aren’t immediately ready.

That’s why super app

Jerry

, your

expert resource

on cars and insurance savings, has put together a temporary license guide. Ready to learn how to get temporary tags in the Garden State? Let’s dive in.

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Does New Jersey issue temporary plates?

Yes, but you will need to acquire them from a licensed dealership. Also known as temporary tags, these paper license plates allow drivers to legally operate a newly-acquired vehicle for a period of 30 days—during which time the dealership will take care of transferring the title and

completing registration

Dealers are authorized to print these tags on special, weather-durable paper through the MVC’s

temp tag service

. However, they are required to provide their dealer license number and other identifying information to confirm their entitlement to the service.

How secure are temporary New Jersey license plates?

Like most states, New Jersey has been working to combat the creation of fraudulent temporary plates across the state.

Recently, these efforts have included redesigning temporary license plate tags to enlarge the expiration date and implement unique QR codes for law enforcement officers to scan. Once scanned, the officer will be able to tell immediately which dealership issued the temp tag—making it harder for someone to copy or replicate a printed tag.

In the event that a temp tag is stolen from a vehicle, drivers must show proof that they’ve reported the missing tag to law enforcement in order for the dealer to provide a replacement. The reissued tag will contain the same expiration date, but the tag number and code will be different.

The principle owners of licensed dealerships must also pass a fingerprint background check in order to use the online temp tag distribution system.

MORE:

How to donate a car in New Jersey

How to get a temporary license plate in New Jersey

If you’ve purchased a new or used vehicle in New Jersey, but your

vanity plates

or disability placard hasn’t come in yet, you’ll usually receive a temporary license plate tag. There is always a chance a standard license plate might be delayed, as well.

In these scenarios, a temporary tag will be printed by the dealership. The tag must be fixed to the back of your car in place of the standard license. This temporary tag will last 30 days, and you can receive an extension of 30 days if needed—you will need to go through your dealership in order to receive this extension, however.

While most dealerships will cover the cost of a temporary tag, some may charge you a $5 resident fee or $7 non-resident fee. Additional reprints (if the first tag is lost or stolen) will cost another $5 or $7 plus a $25 additional fee.

Non-resident temporary registration permit in New Jersey

With New Jersey’s proximity to states like

New York

and

Pennsylvania

, there are cases in which drivers living in either of those states may purchase a vehicle in New Jersey but require permanent plates from their home state.

Because it is illegal to drive an unregistered and un-plated vehicle in New Jersey, non-resident buyers of cars in New Jersey may apply for a temporary non-resident registration (

Form BA-49

). It costs $5 and, if approved, permits the driver to drive back to their state of residence within a 30-day period.

To complete this application, you will need to provide:

Proof of out-of-state residence

Proof of insurance

Can I drive a car without plates if I just bought it in New Jersey?

No. New Jersey law enforcement will issue you a citation if you attempt to drive without license plates, regardless of the circumstances. If you are not buying your vehicle from a dealer (who will provide you a temporary tag), you will need to head to an MVC office to register your vehicle and receive your permanent license plates before driving it off the lot.

You can also apply for a temporary non-resident registration at the MVC office if necessary.

MORE:

How to find temporary car insurance in New Jersey

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How to find affordable car insurance in New Jersey

Driving without license plates is illegal in New Jersey, as is driving without the proper

car insurance coverage

. But while getting temporary tags for your vehicle may be tricky, getting affordable insurance doesn’t have to be—

Jerry

’s here to help!

The Jerry app instantly cross-analyzes quotes from over 55 top insurance companies to pinpoint the lowest rates available to you. When you find a plan you like, simply select it through the app and Jerry’s team of expert brokers will help handle all the transitional calls and paperwork.

The average Jerry user ends up saving more than $800 a year on car insurance so it’s definitely worth a look to keep your New Jersey car covered for less!

“
Jerry
was fast and easy to use. Their customer service was so helpful in helping me navigate the situation my state is dealing with. Now I’m saving an extra $100 every 6 months!” —Tony C.