How long does a temporary registration permit last in Tennessee?

Temporary Operation Permit: 30 days; one additional TOP may be issued for 30 days if the owner is unable to resolve the original issue during the previous 30-day period. Dealer Drive-out Tag (Green Tag): no duration stated in the opened pages.

How much does a temporary registration permit cost in Tennessee?

Temporary Operation Permit: $10.00 plus any applicable county fees. Dealer Drive-out Tag: $5.50 per tag.

Who qualifies for a temporary registration permit in Tennessee?

Temporary Operation Permit: motor vehicle owner unable to obtain a new registration for a listed reason, (1) Title Not Available for Timely Registration (copy of a dealer's invoice or notarized bill of sale required; if the title is held by the previous owner's lien holder, the bill of sale should include the lienor's name and address; a registration certificate identifying the current owner is required); (2) Casual and Isolated Sale (vehicle purchased from an individual and to be transported to the county clerk's office to be registered; copy of a notarized bill of sale or properly reassigned title required); (3) Out-of-State Resident/Transport (properly reassigned title, dealer's invoice, or notarized bill of sale and proper identification required); (4) Other (details required). Certain vehicles having stop or reject codes may not be eligible.

How do I get a temporary registration permit in Tennessee?

Temporary Operation Permit: application must be made in person through the County Clerk's office; applicants must provide proper identification (one photo identification containing a distinguishing number, or two other forms of identification), supporting documentation, and payment of the $10.00 fee (plus any applicable county fees). To obtain a TOP, submit to the local county clerk: ownership papers, proof that something is being done to clear up the problem, driver's license, and the $10 fee.

Temporary Registration Permits in Tennessee

The Tennessee temporary permit in one table

Question	Tennessee rule
Duration	Temporary Operation Permit: 30 days; one additional TOP may be issued for 30 days if the owner is unable to resolve the original issue during the previous 30-day period. Dealer Drive-out Tag (Green Tag): no duration stated in the opened pages. Five-day Trailer Temporary Plate (Yellow Tag): 5 days, as named.
Fee	Temporary Operation Permit: $10.00 plus any applicable county fees. Dealer Drive-out Tag: $5.50 per tag. Five-day Trailer Temporary Plate: $9 per tag.
Who qualifies	Temporary Operation Permit: motor vehicle owner unable to obtain a new registration for a listed reason, (1) Title Not Available for Timely Registration (copy of a dealer's invoice or notarized bill of sale required; if the title is held by the previous owner's lien holder, the bill of sale should include the lienor's name and address; a registration certificate identifying the current owner is required); (2) Casual and Isolated Sale (vehicle purchased from an individual and to be transported to the county clerk's office to be registered; copy of a notarized bill of sale or properly reassigned title required); (3) Out-of-State Resident/Transport (properly reassigned title, dealer's invoice, or notarized bill of sale and proper identification required); (4) Other (details required). Certain vehicles having stop or reject codes may not be eligible. TOPs cannot be issued for salvage vehicles. Dealer Drive-out Tag: automobiles and motorcycles, issued by licensed motor vehicle dealers while registration plates are ordered. Five-day Trailer Temporary Plate: purchasers of trailers needing to transport them through Tennessee, issued by trailer manufacturers.
How to get it	Temporary Operation Permit: application must be made in person through the County Clerk's office; applicants must provide proper identification (one photo identification containing a distinguishing number, or two other forms of identification), supporting documentation, and payment of the $10.00 fee (plus any applicable county fees). To obtain a TOP, submit to the local county clerk: ownership papers, proof that something is being done to clear up the problem, driver's license, and the $10 fee. Dealer Drive-out Tags / Trailer Temporary Plates: dealerships and trailer manufacturers request temporary plates by submitting the Temporary Plate Application Form and applicable fees (payment by check in the name of the requesting dealership/trailer manufacturer) to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, Vehicle Services Division, 500 Deaderick Street, Nashville, TN 37242.

The permit types

Temporary Operation Permit (TOP, Red Tag) - For motor vehicle owners desiring to operate a vehicle otherwise subject to registration when the owner is unable to obtain a new registration for one of the reasons listed on the application form. The Temporary Tags page states TOPs (Red Tags) are available to vehicle owners experiencing title problems. TOPs cannot be issued for salvage vehicles.
Temporary Operation Plate / Dealer Drive-out Tag (Green Tag) - Licensed motor vehicle dealers can issue Temporary Operation Plates (Dealer Drive-out Tags / Green Tags) for use on automobiles and motorcycles while registration plates are ordered.
Five-day Trailer Temporary Plate (Yellow Tag) - Trailer manufacturers can issue Five-day Trailer Temporary Plates (Yellow Tags) to purchasers of trailers needing to transport them through Tennessee.

What this permit is, and what it is not

The opened pages do not state a duration for the Dealer Drive-out Tag (Green Tag) beyond its purpose (while registration plates are ordered); do not state one.

The process, step by step

Match the situation to the permit. The permit types below are not interchangeable; pick the one that fits the purchase and the paperwork gap.
Gather what the issuing office needs. Temporary Operation Permit: motor vehicle owner unable to obtain a new registration for a listed reason, (1) Title Not Available for Timely Registration (copy of a dealer's invoice or notarized bill of sale required; if the title is held by the previous owner's lien holder, the bill of sale should include the lienor's name and address; a registration certificate identifying the current owner is required); (2) Casual and Isolated Sale (vehicle purchased from an individual and to be transported to the county clerk's office to be registered; copy of a notarized bill of sale or properly reassigned title required); (3) Out-of-State Resident/Transport (properly reassigned title, dealer's invoice, or notarized bill of sale and proper identification required); (4) Other (details required). Certain vehicles having stop or reject codes may not be eligible. TOPs cannot be issued for salvage vehicles. Dealer Drive-out Tag: automobiles and motorcycles, issued by licensed motor vehicle dealers while registration plates are ordered. Five-day Trailer Temporary Plate: purchasers of trailers needing to transport them through Tennessee, issued by trailer manufacturers.
Apply through the stated channel. Temporary Operation Permit: application must be made in person through the County Clerk's office; applicants must provide proper identification (one photo identification containing a distinguishing number, or two other forms of identification), supporting documentation, and payment of the $10.00 fee (plus any applicable county fees). To obtain a TOP, submit to the local county clerk: ownership papers, proof that something is being done to clear up the problem, driver's license, and the $10 fee. Dealer Drive-out Tags / Trailer Temporary Plates: dealerships and trailer manufacturers request temporary plates by submitting the Temporary Plate Application Form and applicable fees (payment by check in the name of the requesting dealership/trailer manufacturer) to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, Vehicle Services Division, 500 Deaderick Street, Nashville, TN 37242.
Mind the expiry. Temporary Operation Permit: 30 days; one additional TOP may be issued for 30 days if the owner is unable to resolve the original issue during the previous 30-day period. Dealer Drive-out Tag (Green Tag): no duration stated in the opened pages. Five-day Trailer Temporary Plate (Yellow Tag): 5 days, as named.
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 Pennsylvania.

See Temporary registration permits in Washington.

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

Source

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.