How to Get a Virginia Temporary Tag 

ou just bought a car from a private seller in Virginia. You have the keys, you’ve shaken hands, and you have the signed title… but the seller is (correctly) keeping their license plates. How do you legally drive your new car home?

You need a Virginia Trip Permit.

This guide will show you how to use Virginia’s 24/7 online portal to get a 3-day permit in just five minutes. We’ll also clear up the #1 point of confusion: the “30-Day Tag” from a dealer vs. the “3-Day Permit” for a private sale.

Dealer Tag vs. Private Sale Permit: The Big Difference

First, let’s clarify what you need.

• If you bought from a DEALER: You can stop reading. The dealership is required by law to handle all your paperwork and will issue you a 30-Day Temporary Tag.
• If you bought from a PRIVATE SELLER: This guide is for you. You cannot get a 30-day tag. You must get a Trip Permit.

The Two Types of Online Trip Permits (Which One to Choose)

Virginia’s online portal offers two different permits. You must choose the correct one.

• 1. Prospective Purchase Trip Permit:
  • Who it’s for: This is the one you need. It’s for a private buyer who has just purchased a vehicle and needs to drive it home, to the DMV, or to an inspection station.
  • Validity: 3 consecutive days.
• 2. Standard Trip Permit:
  • Who it’s for: This is for a vehicle you already own that is unregistered (e.g., a project car in storage that you need to move to a new garage, or a car you’re taking to a mechanic).
  • Pro-Tip: If you are using this permit because you are moving to a new home, your work isn’t finished. You must also update your vehicle’s permanent address with the DMV. You can learn how in our guide on how to change your garaging address in Virginia.
  • Validity: 3 consecutive days.

How to Get Your 3-Day Trip Permit Online (Step-by-Step)

This is the fastest, easiest, and only official online method. It is available 24/7, even on a weekend.

1. Visit the Official Portal: Navigate to the Virginia DMV Trip Permit Portal.
2. Read the Instructions: Click “Continue” to proceed.
3. Enter Your Information: You will need to enter your Virginia Driver’s License Number and your name exactly as it appears on your license.
4. Select Your Permit Type: This is the most important step.
   • If you just bought the car, select “Plan to Purchase the vehicle.”
   • If you already own it, select “Own the vehicle.”
5. Enter Vehicle & Trip Details: You must provide the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), year, make, and model of the car. You will also enter the “From” and “To” locations for your trip and the start date.
6. Pay the Fee and Print: Pay the $5.00 permit fee with a valid credit/debit card. The system will then generate a PDF of your permit. You must print this and place it in your dashboard or rear window.

This 3-day permit is only to get you home. Your next step is to get permanent plates by visiting a DMV office. You mustschedule a Virginia DMV appointment for this service; you cannot walk in.

The $5 Permit vs. The $41.67 Insurance Fee

This is the most confusing part of the Virginia system. Here is the simple breakdown:

• Permit Fee: $5.00. This is the fee for the 3-day permit itself.
• Insurance Requirement: You must have valid Virginia auto insurance for the “new” car before you apply. The online portal will ask you to certify that you have it.
• What if I don’t have insurance? If you cannot get insurance (which is rare), the DMV portal will force you to pay the Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee. This is $41.67 for a 30-day period. This fee does not buy you insurance; it is a penalty you pay to the state for being uninsured. It is always better and cheaper to get insurance first.

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