Temporary Registration Permits in Arizona

The Arizona temporary permit in one table

The permit types

• Temporary Registration Plate (TRP) - Dealer-issued plate that allows the buyer to operate the vehicle for any purpose until registration is completed; in the plate-transfer context the FAQ states the buyer may operate the new vehicle using the TRP until the new registration arrives in the mail.
• Restricted Use 3-Day Permit (3-Day Trip Permit) - Allows a person to legally operate an unregistered vehicle from its present location only to: emissions testing, vehicle inspection, application for title or registration, or vehicle repair to comply with emissions or inspection rules, or to otherwise complete the registration process.
• 30-Day General Use Registration / 30-Day General Use Permit - Issued when the owner does not qualify for a permanent registration or other types of temporary permits; allows an unregistered vehicle to operate on the roadway for a 30-day period, with no movement restrictions or residency requirements (as stated in the MVD Vehicle Services FAQ).
• 90-Day Nonresident (Drive Out) Registration / Permit - Allows a person to drive a newly purchased vehicle out of Arizona for registration in another state.
• 90-Day Resident Registration / Permit - For an Arizona resident who does not have complete documentation for issuance of a title or registration; allows operation of the vehicle while obtaining additional documentation.

The process, step by step

1. Match the situation to the permit. The permit types below are not interchangeable; pick the one that fits the purchase and the paperwork gap.
2. Gather what the issuing office needs. TRP: buyer who bought the vehicle from a licensed dealer. Restricted Use 3-Day Permit: buyer who purchased the vehicle in a private sale (registration expires on transfer of ownership). 30-Day General Use: owner who does not qualify for a permanent registration or other temporary permits. 90-Day Nonresident: purchaser driving a newly purchased vehicle out of Arizona; must show out-of-state identification and the dealer invoice or assigned title. 90-Day Resident: Arizona resident without complete documentation for title or registration; when complete documentation is submitted, vehicle license taxes are calculated for the full year back to the date of issuance of the 90-day registration.
3. Apply through the stated channel. TRP: from the licensed dealer. Restricted Use 3-Day Permit: at EZ Permit (azmvdnow.gov) or at any MVD or authorized third-party office. 30-Day General Use: online (azmvdnow.gov) or at any MVD or Authorized Third Party office. 90-Day Nonresident: at any MVD or Authorized Third Party office. 90-Day Resident: at any MVD or Authorized Third Party provider.
4. Mind the expiry. TRP: no fixed number of days stated in the opened pages. Restricted Use 3-Day Permit: 3 days. 30-Day General Use: 30 days, only one 30-day permit allowed per vehicle within any 12-month period. 90-Day Nonresident: 90 days. 90-Day Resident: 90 days.
5. Do not treat a temporary permit as a renewal extension unless the permit says so. For an already-registered vehicle, renewal runs through the normal renewal process.

Temporary registration permits somewhere else

See Temporary registration permits in Wisconsin.

See Temporary registration permits in California.

For all states side by side, see the Temporary Registration Permits by State directory.

Source

• ADOT FAQ , Where do I purchase a permit for a newly acquired vehicle?
• ADOT , Buying a Vehicle
• ADOT FAQ , What is a 30-Day General Use permit?
• ADOT FAQ , What is a 90-Day resident registration?
• ADOT , MVD Vehicle services FAQ

Facts verified 2026-10-29.

This page explains how the process works and what the official rules say. It is general information, not legal advice. For a dispute about your specific situation, talk to your state motor vehicle agency.