Temporary Permits

DMV Temporary Permits

The Division of Motor Vehicles may issue permits to Passenger Vehicles, Watercraft, Motorcycles, Trailers, Motor Homes and Off Highway Vehicles. Temporary permits are issued to allow time for the vehicle owner to operate the vehicle while obtaining the required documentation to complete title and/or registration processes on their vehicle. This may include, but not limited to the following:

Proof of Ownership or Supporting Documentation
Vehicle Safety Inspection Certificates (if required)
Vehicle Emission Certificates (if required)

All required fees and taxes for titling and registering the vehicle are due at time of permit issuance along with the $6.00 permit fee. The local DMV office decides upon the length of validity for the permit based on individual circumstances.

The following offices require an appointment be scheduled in order to obtain a temporary permit. Click here to schedule an appointment.

Salt Lake
South Valley
Provo
Farmington
Ogden
Hurricane

To see access requirements of local offices, click here.

Please note: Drive-through services should not be used for obtaining permits due to ownership transfers. The drive-through is reserved for quick renewal of registrations and disabled parking placards.

Using MVP to Transfer Ownership and Apply for a Temporary Permit

If you’ve purchased a used vehicle directly from the previous owner, you can use Utah’s Motor Vehicle Portal (MVP) to transfer the title and apply for a permit. Though every title situation is different from the last, you should at least have the original title or a bill of sale from the previous owner. Either of these should be sufficient to get your title/registration process started on MVP. This should allow you to at least obtain a temporary permit while you round up additional ownership documentation and possible vehicle inspections.

Note that all taxes and applicable fees are due at the time of application for permit and/or title. For more information see Utah Title Transfers Online.

Renewal Express Temporary Permits

Temporary permits may be obtained through the DMV’s online renewal website, Renewal Express. The permit will allow the vehicle owner 30 days to operate the vehicle in order to obtain the vehicle’s safety and/or emissions certificates. This is only applicable if the vehicle’s registration has expired within the last six months. Full registration fees, along with the $6.00 permit fee, must be paid in order to receive and print the temporary permit.

After obtaining the permit and completing the requirements for registration, the registration may be completed by returning to the Renewal Express website, a participating On the SPOT renewal station or at any DMV office.

The completed registration and decals will be received immediately at an On the Spot renewal station or DMV office. If completing the registration on Renewal Express, the owner will receive an additional 15 day temporary permit to operate the vehicle while the new registration and decals are being mailed to the vehicle owner.

Access Renewal Express here.

On The SPOT Temporary Permits

Temporary permits may be obtained from one of the participating On the Spot renewal stations. To find a station near you, click here.

The permit will allow the vehicle owner 30 days to operate the vehicle in order to obtain the vehicle’s safety and/or emissions certificates. This is only applicable if the vehicle’s registration has expired within the last six months. Full registration fees, along with the $6.00 permit fee, must be paid in order to receive the temporary permit from the station.

**Note** Participating renewal stations may also charge a convenience fee at their discretion.**

The completed registration and decals will be received immediately at an On the SPOT renewal station or DMV office. If completing the registration on Renewal Express, the owner will receive an additional 15 day temporary permit to operate the vehicle while the new registration and decals are being mailed to the vehicle owner.

96 Hour In-Transit Permits

Utah Code 41-3-305

The 96 hour In-transit permit may be used to move an unregistered vehicle from one point to another within Utah or to another state. Proof of ownership and insurance is required. This permit allows use of Utah’s roads for a time not to exceed 96 hours. The fee is $2.50 for motor vehicles and trailers. Utah residents that obtain this permit must provide proof of insurance.

Dealer Permits

When a dealer has sold a vehicle to a Utah resident, a 45 day temporary permit is issued by the dealer. This allows the dealer 45 days to obtain the registration and license plates from the Motor Vehicle Division.