Temporary tag
A short-term permit or paper plate that lets an unregistered vehicle be driven legally for a limited time.
A temporary tag is a short-term permit or paper plate that lets a vehicle be driven before it is registered, or when the seller keeps the plates. Dealers issue them for new sales, and some states offer trip permits to private buyers.
A junk car usually doesn’t need one because it is towed rather than driven. But if you plan to drive a car you bought to a yard or inspection, check whether you need a permit first.
Texas offers a free Vehicle Transit Permit for buyers whose seller kept the plates. It is valid for 5 calendar days for one trip, and only for passenger vehicles of 6,000 pounds or less and light trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less. It cannot be issued for a salvage or nonrepairable vehicle.1
References
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Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, “Temporary Registration”, https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/register-your-vehicle/temporary-registration ↩