Last Update: August 24, 2026

Temporary Permits for Private or Commercial Vehicles in North Carolina

North Carolina distinguishes limited-operation credentials by purpose and vehicle class. The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) issues temporary license plates for both private and commercial buyers, transporter/temporary marker plates for businesses moving unregistered vehicles, apportioned-trip permits for interstate carriers entering the state, and Division of Motor Vehicles-issued credentials for trucks under the International Registration Plan (IRP) and the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA). The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) administers oversize/overweight permitting for movements that exceed legal size and weight limits.

What Is a Temporary Vehicle Permit in North Carolina?

For private and commercial vehicles sold in North Carolina, the most commonly referenced temporary credential is the NCDMV temporary license plate. North Carolina recognizes two distinct limited-operation plates:

• 30-day temporary license plate — issued by the NCDMV License Plate Agency (LPA) to a vehicle owner whose application for title and registration cannot be processed at the time of sale.
• 10-day temporary license plate — issued to a vehicle purchaser at the time of sale under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-50 when documentation needed to complete registration is not yet available.

For commercial operations, NCDMV recognizes two further temporary credentials:

• IRP trip permit — required by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-86.1 for a vehicle that is subject to IRP and is entering North Carolina without active apportioned registration.
• IFTA trip permit — required under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-449.47 for qualified motor vehicles operating in North Carolina without an active IFTA license.

For vehicles or loads that exceed the legal size and weight limits set by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-116 and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-118, NCDOT administers oversize/overweight (OS/OW) permits through the NCDOT Permits Unit.

Who May Need a Temporary Permit

A temporary permit may be required in the following situations:

• A private vehicle has been purchased, and ownership documents (such as the certificate of title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin) are not yet available for processing.
• A title application is pending because the lien or previous registration records cannot be released before delivery.
• A commercial vehicle is operated in North Carolina before the IRP apportioned registration becomes effective.
• A qualified motor vehicle operates in North Carolina without an active IFTA license.
• A vehicle or load exceeds North Carolina's legal size or weight limits.

Private Vehicle Temporary Tags in North Carolina

North Carolina issues two types of temporary license plates at the point of sale, both of which are administered by the NCDMV.

10-Day Temporary License Plate

The 10-day temporary plate is issued by an NCDMV License Plate Agency under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-50. The plate allows limited operation of a vehicle purchased from a North Carolina dealer so the purchaser can obtain title and registration documents. The plate is non-transferable and is valid for 10 days from issuance.

30-Day Temporary License Plate

The 30-day temporary plate is issued by NCDMV when a vehicle owner (typically an out-of-state or out-of-country purchaser) cannot complete title and registration in the original transaction. The plate authorizes limited operation while the remaining registration documents (such as a lien release or out-of-state title) are obtained.

Commercial Vehicle Temporary Permits in North Carolina

IRP Trip Permit

Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-86.1, a vehicle subject to the International Registration Plan must have an active North Carolina apportioned registration before entering the state. A carrier that has not yet obtained apportioned registration may operate a single vehicle into or through North Carolina under an IRP trip permit, which:

• Covers a specific vehicle for a single entry into North Carolina.
• Is valid for 72 hours (three days) from the time of issuance.
• Is not renewable for the same vehicle in North Carolina within the same calendar year.

IFTA Trip Permit

Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-449.47, a qualified motor vehicle operating in North Carolina without an active IFTA license issued by the North Carolina Department of Revenue must obtain an IFTA trip permit before entry. The Department of Revenue issues IFTA trip permits through its motor fuel tax program.

Oversize/Overweight Permits

NCDOT issues OS/OW permits under the authority of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-119. Both single-trip and annual permits are available from the NCDOT Permits Unit, and per N.C. Administrative Code 19A NCAC 02D .0600 the permits may be issued for:

• Vehicles or loads exceeding the size limits in G.S. 20-116.
• Vehicles or loads exceeding the weight limits in G.S. 20-118.

When a Temporary Permit Is Required

A private vehicle may require an NCDMV temporary license plate when:

• Title documents are not available at sale, and the vehicle must be moved before processing is complete.
• A lien has not been released on a previously titled vehicle.
• An out-of-state title cannot be transferred in a single visit.

A commercial vehicle may require a temporary permit when:

• The vehicle is subject to IRP, and the carrier has not yet opened an apportioned account with NCDMV, or the apportioned credentials are not yet active.
• The vehicle is a qualified motor vehicle under IFTA, and the carrier does not hold an IFTA license issued by the North Carolina Department of Revenue.
• The movement involves dimensions or weights that exceed the limits established in Chapter 20 of the General Statutes.

How To Get a Temporary Permit in North Carolina

Where To Apply

• An NCDMV License Plate Agency (LPA) issues 10-day and 30-day temporary license plates and processes IRP credentials.
• The North Carolina Department of Revenue administers IFTA licensing through its International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) program.
• NCDOT's Permits Unit administers OS/OW permitting through its online permitting portal.

Documents Commonly Required

For a 10-day temporary plate, the purchaser must provide the LPA with:

• A properly assigned certificate of title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin when available.
• A bill of sale reflecting the transaction.
• Proof of North Carolina liability insurance, in a form acceptable to NCDMV.
• Payment of the temporary plate fee.

For an IRP trip permit, the carrier must provide:

• Vehicle make, model, year, and VIN.
• Apportioned registration number (if any), declared weight, and USDOT number.
• Carrier name and contact information.
• Payment of the trip permit fee.

For an IFTA trip permit, the Department of Revenue requires:

• Vehicle identification information (make, model, VIN, license plate, fuel type).
• Carrier name and USDOT number.
• Period of operation within North Carolina and the originating jurisdiction.
• Payment of the trip permit fee (if applicable; see fee table below).

Temporary Permit Fees in North Carolina

The fees below are the official published amounts for NCDMV-issued and North Carolina Department of Revenue-issued temporary credentials.

Can a North Carolina Temporary Permit Be Used Across State Lines?

A 10-day or 30-day temporary license plate issued by NCDMV is intended to allow limited operation within North Carolina for the limited purpose of completing the underlying title and registration transaction. The plate authorization does not, by itself, extend the vehicle's unrestricted operating authority into other states beyond what is permitted.

A commercial IRP trip permit authorizes a single entry into North Carolina for the specific vehicle identified on the permit. The permit does not cover operation in other IRP jurisdictions, and a separate trip permit is required for entry to those member jurisdictions. An IFTA temporary permit issued by the North Carolina Department of Revenue for carriers in good standing is valid for 30 days and covers operations in all IFTA member jurisdictions, provided the carrier maintains a copy of its IFTA license in the vehicle in addition to the temporary permit. A fuel-use temporary trip permit covers travel only in North Carolina and does not authorize operation in other jurisdictions.

Oversize and overweight movement remains subject to separate NCDOT permitting, regardless of any other registration credentials held by the carrier. The NCDOT permit establishes the route, time-of-day restrictions, and conditions applicable to the movement.

Penalties for Driving Without the Proper Temporary Permit

North Carolina enforces penalties for operating commercial and private vehicles without current, valid temporary permits through multiple statutes and regulatory programs.

Contact Information

North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles
3101 Mail Service Center
1515 N.Church St., Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Phone: (919) 715-7000
Official Website: North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles