Mississippi Temporary License Plate

License plates play an important role for vehicles operating in Mississippi, including those waiting for permanent registration. A temporary plate can provide legal identification for a limited period when a permanent plate is not yet available. Mississippi temporary tags may apply to newly purchased vehicles, certain registration situations, or other circumstances recognized by state requirements. The temporary tag displays identifying information that helps law enforcement and other authorities recognize the vehicle. Knowing the basic rules, validity period, required documents, and applicable fees can help vehicle owners handle temporary registration correctly.

License plates are required for proper vehicle identification, but some Mississippi vehicle owners may receive a temporary tag before obtaining permanent registration. Mississippi temporary license plates provide short-term vehicle identification during specific registration or ownership situations. The process can involve documentation related to the vehicle, ownership, insurance, and registration status. Temporary tags have specific conditions and time limits, so vehicle owners should check current Mississippi requirements before using one. This page explains temporary plate purposes, eligibility, application details, validity periods, fees, and other rules that may apply to Mississippi vehicles.

Does Mississippi Have Temporary License Plates?

Yes. Mississippi has temporary tags that can be used in qualifying vehicle sales before the vehicle receives its permanent Mississippi registration and license plate. These tags are connected with dealer and auction transactions and are intended for limited use under state requirements. A temporary tag can allow the purchaser to operate the vehicle on public roads during the period covered by the tag, based on the circumstances of the sale.

Yes, Mississippi Has Temporary Drive-Out Tags

Mississippi has temporary drive-out tags issued through the dealer process for qualifying vehicle purchases. A dealer may provide a temporary tag when a vehicle is sold to an out-of-state resident or to a Mississippi resident who is temporarily leaving the state before obtaining a Mississippi tag. The tag is connected to the vehicle purchase and gives the purchaser temporary authority to operate the vehicle on public roads during its valid period. The Mississippi Department of Revenue uses the term temporary/in-transit tag for this type of dealer-related tag. For questions about vehicle registration, tag requirements, or the next steps after purchasing a vehicle, buyers can also consult Mississippi DMV Locations to find relevant local offices and registration services.

What Is a Temporary Tag Used For?

A Mississippi temporary tag provides temporary authority to operate a newly purchased vehicle before the purchaser obtains the permanent Mississippi tag, when the transaction meets the state requirements. It is associated with a vehicle purchase through a qualifying dealer or auction transaction. The temporary plate serves for a limited period rather than replacing the vehicle’s permanent registration. Once the temporary period ends, the purchaser must complete the required registration process and obtain the appropriate permanent Mississippi plate. The exact process can depend on the purchaser’s residency and the circumstances of the vehicle sale.

Is a Temporary Tag the Same as Permanent Registration?

No. A temporary tag is not the same as permanent registration. Temporary registration or a temporary plate provides limited authority for qualifying vehicle use during a specified period. Permanent registration establishes the vehicle’s regular registration status and is associated with the permanent Mississippi license plate issued after the required registration process is completed.

How to Get a Mississippi Temporary License Plate

Mississippi temporary license plates are connected with certain vehicle sales involving licensed dealers or auctions. A temporary tag may be used when a vehicle is sold by a dealer or auction to a nonresident, or to a Mississippi resident who may temporarily leave the state before obtaining a Mississippi tag. The Mississippi Department of Revenue lists Form 76-906 as the Application for Temporary/In-Transit Tags. The form is structured around dealer information, rather than a standard individual online application.

Get the Temporary Tag Through the Dealer

A Mississippi temporary tag is tied to a vehicle sale by a dealer or auction. State rules permit this type of tag when a motor vehicle is sold to a nonresident or to a Mississippi resident who may temporarily leave Mississippi before obtaining a Mississippi tag. The dealer handles the temporary-tag process associated with the sale. The Mississippi Department of Revenue states that temporary tags cost $5 each and must be purchased by dealers in lots of ten. The tag is valid for seven full working days, excluding the purchase date, under the current dealer rules.

What Information Is Needed?

The paperwork connected with a Mississippi temporary tag centers on the vehicle purchase and dealer transaction. Relevant details can include the dealer, purchaser, vehicle information, and temporary tag information needed for the transaction. Form 76-906 itself asks for dealer information such as the dealer name, business address, contact information, and DA/permit number. The form is an application for temporary/in-transit tags used by the dealer, so consumers should work with the dealer handling the vehicle purchase for the specific documentation required for their transaction.

Can You Get a Mississippi Temporary Tag Online?

The Mississippi Department of Revenue provides Form 76-906 online as an Application for Temporary/In-Transit Tags. The form identifies dealer information and tag quantities, showing that it is part of the dealer tag process. Its availability as a downloadable PDF does not establish a normal consumer online application for a temporary tag. A person buying a vehicle should contact the selling dealer about the temporary tag connected with the purchase rather than treating Form 76-906 as a consumer self-service application.

• Mississippi DOR – Application for Temporary/In-Transit Tags:
  • https://www.dor.ms.gov/node/5368

Can a County Tax Collector Issue the Dealer Temporary Tag?

A dealer temporary tag is separate from ordinary vehicle registration handled through the county Tax Collector. The Mississippi Department of Revenue rules place temporary-tag activity within the dealer tag system. The county Tax Collector handles regular registration and issuance of permanent vehicle tags, but Form 76-906 does not establish a county Tax Collector process for issuing the dealer temporary tag.

Types of Temporary Tags in Mississippi

Mississippi has different temporary tag types for specific vehicle transactions. The tag used depends on whether a vehicle is being purchased, moved between dealers or auctions, or acquired by a rental company. Each type has its own purpose, validity period, and fee.

Temporary Drive-Out Tag

A temporary drive-out tag is connected with a qualifying vehicle purchase through a dealer or automobile auction. It can apply when the purchaser is a nonresident or a Mississippi resident who will temporarily leave the state before obtaining a Mississippi tag.

Key points include:

• Vehicle purchase: The tag is connected with the purchase of a vehicle from a dealer or automobile auction.
• Dealer: The dealer or auction handles the temporary-tag transaction.
• Nonresident: A nonresident purchaser may receive a temporary tag for the qualifying vehicle purchase.
• Mississippi resident: A Mississippi resident may qualify when temporarily leaving the state before obtaining a Mississippi tag.
• Validity: The standard temporary tag is valid for seven full working days, excluding the purchase date.

In-Transit Tag

An in-transit tag is intended for dealer and automobile auction vehicle movement rather than ordinary consumer use. It can be used when a vehicle is being moved between dealers or auctions for sale.

Key points include:

• Dealer or auction movement: Used for moving a vehicle between dealers or automobile auctions.
• Purpose: The vehicle must be moved for the purpose of sale.
• Different from a dealer tag: An in-transit tag is a separate tag category and is not a replacement for a dealer tag.
• Validity: The in-transit period is three days.
• Fee: The applicable tag fee is under the administrative rules.

Rental Company Temporary Tag

A rental company temporary tag applies to a different type of vehicle transaction. It is associated with a rental company that acquires a vehicle from a dealer. This tag is separate from the temporary tag used by an ordinary purchaser.

Key points include:

• Rental company: The vehicle is acquired by a rental company.
• Dealer purchase: The rental company obtains the vehicle from a dealer.
• Validity: The temporary tag is valid for 30 full working days, excluding the date of delivery.
• Dealer charge: The dealer may collect a charge for the temporary tag.
• Different purpose: This tag is separate from the ordinary temporary tag issued for a qualifying consumer vehicle purchase.

Dealer Tag vs. Temporary Tag

A dealer tag and a temporary tag have different purposes. A dealer tag relates to a dealer’s authorized vehicle operations, while a temporary tag applies to qualifying transactions or circumstances established by Mississippi law.

• Dealer tag: Used in connection with authorized dealer operations.
• Temporary tag: Used for qualifying temporary vehicle operation.
• In-transit tag: Used for moving vehicles between dealers or auctions for sale.
• Temporary permit: Provides limited authorization and does not replace permanent registration.
• Permanent registration: Remains separate from any temporary tag or temporary permit.

How Much Does a Temporary Tag Cost?

The cost of a Mississippi temporary tag depends on the type of tag and the transaction involved. For the standard temporary tag associated with qualifying dealer sales, the official Mississippi Department of Revenue dealer application lists a fee per temporary tag. Dealers purchase these tags in lots rather than as individual tags. Other temporary tag categories, such as in-transit tags and rental-company tags, have separate fees and requirements.

Where Should a Temporary Tag Be Displayed?

A Mississippi temporary tag must be displayed in the location specified by the Mississippi Department of Revenue’s administrative requirements. For temporary and in-transit tags, the required placement is the top corner of the driver’s-side rear window. This placement allows the tag to remain visible from outside the vehicle while keeping it inside the rear window. The required information on the tag must be completed in permanent, bold, black ink. Proper placement matters because a temporary plate is intended to remain clearly visible during the period in which the vehicle is operating under temporary registration.

Temporary Tag Display Requirements

The Mississippi DOR rules specify the following temporary tag display requirements:

• Location: Place the temporary tag in the top corner of the driver’s-side rear window.
• Window: The tag should be displayed on the rear window rather than attached like a standard permanent plate.
• Visibility: The temporary tag should remain clearly visible from outside the vehicle.
• Writing: Required information must be completed using permanent, bold, black ink.
• Tag type: The placement requirement applies to temporary and in-transit tags covered by the administrative rules.

What Information Must Appear on the Tag?

The temporary tag must contain the required information completed in the format specified by the Mississippi DOR. This includes information associated with the vehicle and temporary tag transaction. The required entries should be written in permanent, bold, black ink so they remain legible during use. The tag should then be placed in the required driver’s-side rear window location. A temporary registration does not use the same display method as a standard permanent license plate.

Can You Drive With a Temporary Plate?

A Mississippi temporary license plate can allow a purchaser to operate a newly purchased vehicle when the temporary tag is valid, properly displayed, and issued for a qualifying vehicle transaction. The temporary tag provides limited authorization before permanent registration is completed. The vehicle must still meet Mississippi requirements for insurance and lawful operation, and the temporary tag does not replace permanent registration or other legal obligations.

Valid Temporary Tag

Yes, you can drive a vehicle with a valid Mississippi temporary license plate when the tag was issued for a qualifying vehicle purchase and remains within its authorized period. The temporary tag provides limited authority to operate the purchased vehicle before the permanent Mississippi registration and license plate are obtained.

Proper Tag Display

Before driving, the temporary tag should be properly displayed according to Mississippi Department of Revenue requirements. Temporary and in-transit tags must be placed in the top corner of the driver’s-side rear window, with the required information completed in permanent, bold, black ink. The tag should remain clearly visible and readable.

Insurance Requirements

A temporary tag does not remove Mississippi’s motor vehicle insurance requirements. The Mississippi Department of Revenue states that motor vehicle liability insurance is required, and an insurance card must be maintained in the vehicle. The temporary plate and insurance requirement are separate matters, so having a valid temporary tag does not replace required insurance coverage.

Temporary Tag Expiration

A temporary tag is valid only for its authorized period. The purchaser should check the expiration period and avoid operating the vehicle after the temporary tag becomes invalid. An expired temporary tag does not provide ongoing temporary registration authority.

Permanent Registration

A temporary tag is intended for temporary vehicle operation while the purchaser completes the required registration process. Before the temporary period ends, the vehicle should receive the appropriate permanent Mississippi registration and license plate. A temporary plate does not replace permanent registration or other legal requirements for operating the vehicle on Mississippi roads.

Temporary Tag for Out-of-State Buyers

A Mississippi temporary tag can be used in a qualifying vehicle purchase when an out-of-state resident buys a vehicle from a Mississippi dealer or automobile auction. This type of temporary tag is commonly associated with a drive-out tag, allowing the purchaser to leave Mississippi before completing permanent registration in the home state.

Who Can Get a Drive-Out Tag?

A qualifying nonresident purchaser may receive a temporary tag when buying a vehicle through an eligible dealer or automobile auction.

• Out-of-state resident: The purchaser lives outside Mississippi.
• Vehicle purchase: The temporary tag is connected with the purchase of a vehicle.
• Dealer or auction: The tag is associated with the dealer or qualifying auction transaction.
• Drive-out tag: The temporary tag can allow the purchaser to leave Mississippi with the newly purchased vehicle.

Can You Drive the Vehicle Back Home?

The temporary tag can allow a nonresident purchaser to travel from Mississippi to the state where the vehicle will be registered, provided the tag remains valid and all other legal requirements are met.

Before leaving Mississippi:

• Display the temporary tag correctly.
• Keep the vehicle purchase documents available.
• Maintain the required motor vehicle insurance.
• Check the temporary tag’s authorized period.
• Follow the registration requirements of the home state.

How Long Is the Tag Valid for an Out-of-State Buyer?

Mississippi Code §27-19-40 provides a specific rule for nonresident purchasers. The temporary period can be tied to the period allowed under the laws of the purchaser’s state of residence for obtaining a permanent tag. This means the applicable period may depend on the home-state registration deadline, rather than being treated exactly like every Mississippi resident transaction.

What Happens After You Return Home?

The temporary tag does not replace permanent registration. After returning to the home state, the purchaser should complete the required registration process within that state’s applicable period.

• Register the vehicle in the home state.
• Pay the required registration fees and taxes.
• Obtain the appropriate permanent license plate.
• Follow the home state’s title and registration requirements.

Key Point for Nonresident Buyers

A temporary license plate Mississippi provides temporary authority for a qualifying vehicle purchase. A drive-out tag is connected with the dealer or auction transaction and is intended for temporary use. The purchaser remains responsible for meeting the registration requirements of the state where the vehicle will ultimately be registered.

Temporary Tag for Residents Leaving the State

A Mississippi resident may qualify for a temporary tag when purchasing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the state before obtaining the required Mississippi tag. This situation is addressed separately under Mississippi law and differs from the temporary tag provisions for nonresident buyers. The temporary plate provides limited authorization for the qualifying vehicle purchase during the applicable period, but it does not replace the permanent Mississippi registration or license plate.

When Can a Resident Use a Temporary Tag?

Mississippi law provides a separate situation for a Mississippi resident who purchases a vehicle and may temporarily leave the state before obtaining a Mississippi tag. This situation is different from the nonresident drive-out tag provision. The temporary tag is connected with the qualifying vehicle purchase and provides temporary authority during the period covered by the applicable rules.

What Is the Temporary Tag Used For?

The temporary plate allows the Mississippi resident to operate the newly purchased vehicle while temporarily leaving Mississippi before obtaining the permanent Mississippi registration and license plate.

Key points include:

• Mississippi resident: The purchaser is a resident of Mississippi.
• Vehicle purchase: The temporary tag is connected with the purchase of the vehicle.
• Temporary travel: The resident may temporarily leave Mississippi before obtaining the Mississippi tag.
• Temporary plate: The tag provides temporary authority rather than permanent registration.
• Permanent registration: The vehicle still needs the required Mississippi registration and permanent plate.

How Is This Different From a Nonresident Tag?

The resident provision applies to a Mississippi resident who is temporarily leaving the state, while the nonresident provision applies to an out-of-state purchaser buying a vehicle in Mississippi. Both situations are addressed under Mississippi Code §27-19-40, but they involve different residency circumstances.

Temporary Tags and Insurance

A Mississippi temporary tag does not remove the need to meet the state’s motor vehicle insurance requirements. When a vehicle is operated on public roads after a vehicle purchase, the owner or driver must comply with Mississippi liability insurance laws. The temporary tag provides limited registration authority for the qualifying vehicle transaction, but it does not replace required insurance coverage. Keeping valid insurance in place during the temporary registration period helps the vehicle remain compliant while the owner completes permanent registration.

Do You Need Insurance With a Temporary Tag?

Yes. A vehicle operating with a valid temporary tag must still meet Mississippi’s liability insurance requirements. The temporary tag relates to the vehicle’s temporary registration status and does not serve as proof of insurance. After a vehicle purchase, the owner should have the required liability coverage in place before driving the vehicle on public roads. Insurance requirements apply during the temporary tag period, so having a temporary plate does not create an exemption from Mississippi’s motor vehicle insurance laws.

What Proof of Insurance Should You Carry?

Drivers should keep proof of insurance with the vehicle when operating it with a temporary tag. An insurance card or other accepted proof can show that the vehicle has the required coverage. Keeping current proof available can be useful during a traffic stop or other situation where insurance information is requested. Proof of insurance is separate from the temporary tag itself and should not be treated as part of the temporary registration document.

Temporary License Plate Laws

Mississippi temporary tag laws explain when a temporary license plate can be used, who may issue it, how long it remains valid, and what rules apply during the temporary registration period. The main legal sources are Mississippi Code §27-19-40 and Mississippi Administrative Code rules issued by the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

Code § 27-19-40

Mississippi Code §27-19-40 provides the statutory basis for temporary tags issued after qualifying vehicle sales. The law covers temporary tags for certain nonresident buyers and Mississippi residents who may temporarily leave the state before obtaining a Mississippi tag.

Key points include:

• Who may qualify: Certain nonresident purchasers and Mississippi residents temporarily leaving the state.
• Who issues the tag: A licensed motor vehicle dealer or automobile auction.
• Standard validity: Seven full working days, excluding the purchase date.
• Nonresident buyers: The tag may remain valid for the period permitted by the buyer’s home state for obtaining permanent registration.
• Other provisions: The statute addresses in-transit tags, rental-company temporary tags, applicable fees, and penalties.

Mississippi Administrative Rules for Temporary Tags

Mississippi Administrative Code 35 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. VII, R. 4.03 provides additional temporary-tag regulations and administrative requirements.

Important points include:

• Temporary tags may be used after qualifying vehicle sales.
• The standard temporary tag fee.
• Dealers purchase temporary tags in lots of 10.
• The normal expiration period is seven full working days, excluding the purchase date.
• The administrative rule states that the seven-working-day period will not be extended.

Why Official Sources Matter

Mississippi temporary tag information can appear in DOR FAQs, Mississippi statutes, administrative rules, and county Tax Collector pages. These sources may use terms such as temporary tag, temporary plate, or drive-out tag.

When checking temporary tag laws, compare the information with current official sources to confirm:

• The applicable eligibility rules
• The expiration period
• Display requirements
• Fees and administrative requirements
• Rules that apply to different types of temporary tags

Frequently Asked Questions

Mississippi temporary license plates can raise questions eligibility, cost, validity, display requirements, insurance, and who issues the tag. The answers cover questions about temporary tags, drive-out tags, expiration periods, fees, and temporary registration requirements in Mississippi.

Does Mississippi have temporary license plates?

Yes, Mississippi has temporary license plates, commonly referred to as temporary tags. These tags can be issued for qualifying vehicle transactions and allow the purchaser to operate the vehicle during the applicable temporary registration period. Mississippi temporary license plates are different from permanent registration plates and have specific display and expiration requirements.

What is a Mississippi drive-out tag?

A Mississippi drive-out tag is a temporary tag used in certain vehicle sales, particularly when a vehicle is purchased by a nonresident who will take the vehicle to another state. The temporary tag allows the purchaser to operate the vehicle during the applicable period before obtaining permanent registration in the buyer’s home state.

How long is a Mississippi temporary tag valid?

The standard expiration period for a Mississippi temporary tag is seven full working days, excluding the date of purchase. Mississippi administrative rules state that this seven-working-day period will not be extended. For certain nonresident purchases, the applicable period can be tied to the registration period allowed by the purchaser’s home state.

How much does a Mississippi temporary tag cost?

The standard temporary tag fee is per tag. Mississippi dealers purchase temporary tags in lots of 10, making the dealer purchase cost $50 per lot. Other temporary tag categories can have different fees, such as in-transit tags. A dealer may charge other transaction-related amounts separately from the state temporary tag fee.

Who issues a temporary tag in Mississippi?

A temporary tag is generally issued through a licensed motor vehicle dealer or automobile auction when the transaction meets Mississippi requirements. The dealer-issued temporary tag is connected with a qualifying vehicle sale and allows temporary operation before permanent registration. A county Tax Collector does not function as the ordinary issuer of a dealer-issued temporary tag.