Alabama Temporary License Plate

What Is a Temporary License Plate in Alabama?

Alabama issues a temporary license plate in accordance with Ala. Code §§32-6-210 through 32-6-219, allowing short-term operation on public roads before permanent registration. This plate bridges the gap between vehicle acquisition and full title and licensing completion.

Designated agents issue these plates: licensed dealers at the point of sale, county licensing officials (probate judges or license commissioners) when a permanent plate cannot be issued immediately, as well as manufacturers or transporters moving vehicles out of state. Each plate is a paper document printed through the Alabama Department of Revenue electronic portal and displayed on the rear according to Admin Code 810-5-1-.204.

What Types of Temporary License Plates Are There in Alabama?

Plates issued by a dealer under §32-6-211 cannot be renewed or reissued for the same vehicle. Licensing officials under §32-6-213 may issue consecutive plates for the same vehicle, up to a cumulative limit.

When Is a Temporary License Plate Required in Alabama?

• A buyer purchasing from a dealer in Alabama receives a temporary license plate at the point of sale when a permanent plate is not issued simultaneously.
• A non-resident acquiring a new vehicle made in Alabama may apply for a temporary registration plate under §32-6-62.1.
• A licensed dealer transporting inventory vehicles uses a seven-day dealer transit plate under §40-12-264.
• A manufacturer or transporter moving vehicles made in Alabama to out-of-state destinations applies for a permit under §32-6-212 and posts a surety bond.
• An owner lacking necessary documents (missing title from a private seller, dealer paperwork delay) may request a temporary license plate from a county licensing official under §32-6-213 for reasonable cause.

How to Get a Temporary License Plate in Alabama?

1. Gather your bill of sale, certificate of title or manufacturer’s certificate of origin, proof of Alabama mandatory liability insurance, and valid photo ID.
2. Choose your path: the selling dealer’s office (most common) or your county licensing official if the dealer cannot resolve the issue.
3. Apply at the counter or through the dealer’s electronic portal provided by the Department of Revenue; the designated agent prints the plate on-site.
4. Pay the issuance fee described in the next section.
5. Receive the paper temporary plate and temporary plate receipt (form MVR: 32-6-211), which must remain inside the vehicle.

The Alabama Department of Revenue’s sample temporary plates page details the full issuance procedure.

How Much Does a Temporary License Plate Cost in Alabama?

Temporary license plates issued by a dealer at the point of sale cost the buyer $2.25 under §32-6-215; the path through a county licensing official carries the same statutory fee.

How to Get a Temporary License Plate Online in Alabama?

No, Alabama does not offer temporary license plates directly to consumers through an online portal. Designated agents (dealers and county licensing officials) issue plates through the Department of Revenue’s internal electronic system, but vehicle owners cannot self-serve.

The primary path for most buyers is through the dealership at the point of sale. The dealer prints the plate at the counter before the buyer leaves the lot.

Owners needing a plate outside a dealer transaction visit their county licensing official in person. Alabama has 67 counties, each with a probate judge or license commissioner office handling vehicle operations.

The path through the dealership at the point of sale is standard; the county office handles edge cases where dealer paperwork is delayed or incomplete.

How Long Can I Run a Temporary License Plate in Alabama?

Operating a vehicle with an expired temporary license plate is an offense under §32-6-219, punishable by a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.