What Is a Temporary License Plate in North Dakota?
North Dakota uses the term temporary registration permit for a short-term document that allows highway travel until permanent plates are received. The permit covers purchases, transfers, and nonresident employment situations.
The NDDOT Motor Vehicle Division issues permits online and through branches. Licensed dealers and law enforcement also issue temporary registration certificates at the point of sale or transfer. Each permit is a paper document placed in the rear window or license plate area.
What Types of Temporary License Plates Are There in North Dakota?
| Class | Official Name | Trigger | Issuing Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer | Temporary Registration Certificate | Vehicle ownership transfer | Dealer, branch, law enforcement |
| Resident Purchase | 75-Day Temporary Registration Permit | ND resident purchases a vehicle | NDDOT online or branch |
| Nonresident Drive-Out | 30-Day Drive-Out Permit | Nonresident purchases a vehicle in ND | NDDOT online |
| Nonresident Employment | Nonresident Temporary Registration | Nonresident employed in ND | NDDOT online or branch |
The Temporary Registration Certificate under NDCC 39-04-36 cannot be extended. The 75-day permit requires the owner to title and register the vehicle within 30 days according to NDCC 39-05-17.
When Is a Temporary License Plate Required in North Dakota?
- A dealer prints a temporary registration certificate for the buyer at the point of sale using the form on the back of the registration card.
- A buyer from a private party obtains a 75-day temporary registration permit online or at any NDDOT branch before operating the vehicle.
- A nonresident buying a vehicle in North Dakota and planning to drive it out obtains a 30-day drive-out permit.
- A nonresident working in North Dakota must have a nonresident temporary registration if the vehicle lacks North Dakota plates. NDCC 39-04-37(6) makes it illegal to operate without one.
How to Get a Temporary License Plate in North Dakota?
- Gather the bill of sale or title (front and back), valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance.
- Choose a path: NDDOT online portal for the 75-day permit, the drive-out permit page for nonresident drive-out, or any NDDOT branch in person.
- Enter vehicle and owner information on the screen and submit; if the VIN cannot be verified online, send a copy of the title to mv@nd.gov for manual processing.
- Pay the fee listed in the next section by credit or debit card online or at the branch counter.
- Immediately print the permit on a standard printer and place it in the rear window or license plate area.
Applying for a 75-day permit requires a printer with Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.
How Much Does a Temporary License Plate Cost in North Dakota?
| Class | Fee | Automation / Additional | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Registration Certificate | No separate fee charged | None | Included in transfer |
| 75-Day Temporary Registration Permit | No separate fee charged | Excise tax paid at titling | Buyer |
| 30-Day Drive-Out Permit | Set by NDDOT | None | Buyer |
| Nonresident Temporary Registration (6 mos.) | $60 passenger; $30 motorcycle | $10 vehicle permit fee | Nonresident |
| Nonresident Temporary Registration (12 mos.) | $120 passenger; $60 motorcycle | $10 vehicle permit fee | Nonresident |
Fees for nonresidents vary by weight for trucks and combinations, as published on the NDDOT nonresident temporary registration page.
How to Get a Temporary License Plate Online in North Dakota?
Yes. North Dakota offers full online processing for three of the four classes of temporary permits.
The 75-Day Temporary Registration Permit and 30-Day Drive-Out Permit are printed instantly from a home computer. Nonresident Temporary Registration is also processed online with payment by credit or debit card.
NDDOT branches in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and other cities process in-person applications for any class. Dealers issue the temporary registration certificate at the point of sale without an online stage.
Use the online portal for any resident or nonresident permit; only the transfer certificate issued by a dealer requires an in-person transaction.
How Long Can I Run a Temporary License Plate in North Dakota?
| Class | Validity | Mileage or Geography Limitations | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Registration Certificate | 75 days from purchase | None | None |
| 75-Day Temporary Registration Permit | 75 days | None | None |
| 30-Day Drive-Out Permit | 30 days | Out-of-state drive-out | None |
| Nonresident Temporary Registration | 6 or 12 months | Valid only in North Dakota | Renewable upon expiration |
Operating a vehicle after the permit expires violates NDCC 39-04-37(1), which prohibits operation without valid registration, plates, or a valid temporary registration permit.