Skip to main content

Temporary License Plates

Do you need a temporary plate for your vehicle? There are five scenarios that qualify.

Appointments Required / Office Locations

Appointments are required for all transactions! Visit taxcollector.com to schedule an appointment for your Transfer of Equity. We only serve Manatee County residents and businesses. Limit four transactions per appointment.

Determine if your transaction is eligible

There are five scenarios that qualify for temporary plates. Determine which scenario below you may qualify for and complete the applicable checklist. 

1.  Demonstration (Sales) Purposes

A 30-day temporary plate for a vehicle that you are attempting to sell:

  • Valid unexpired Florida or out-of-state driver license or ID card.
  • The plate that was previously on the vehicle you’re selling must have been transferred or must be in the process of being transferred to another vehicle.
  • Current Florida insurance.  Must include the applicant’s name and the vehicle details (i.e. year, make and VIN). 

2. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Verification Purposes 
A 10-day temporary plate for a vehicle that is required to have the VIN number verified:

  • Valid unexpired Florida or out-of-state driver license or ID card.
  • Proof of ownership.  This could be an out-of-state title/registration or a bill of sale/reassignment to a new customer. If ownership is changing, the documentation must be properly completed/signed over to the new owner.
  • Current Florida insurance.  Must include the applicant’s name and the vehicle details (i.e. year, make and VIN).

3. Weight Purposes 
A 10-day temporary plate for a vehicle/trailer that is required to be weighed for registration purposes:

  • Valid unexpired Florida or out-of-state driver license or ID card.
  • Proof of ownership (could be Florida title, out-of-state title, out-of-state registration, bill of sale (trailer), etc.). If ownership is changing, the documentation must be properly completed/signed over to the new owner.

Note:  If you have a homemade or Assembled From Parts (ASPT) trailer with an empty weight over 2,000 lbs., we will not be able to issue a temporary plate. You must contact the DMV Regional Office to schedule an inspection. For information, read our DMV Regional Office publication. 

4. In Transit to Another State 
A 30-day temporary plate for out-of-state residents (that have a temporary residence in Manatee County):

  • Valid unexpired out-of-state driver license or ID card.
  • Florida title completed for transfer.  If you are unsure of how to complete the title, see our Florida title transfer illustration.
  • Sales tax on the purchase price at the rate of your home state, not to exceed 6%, will be collected.
  • Current Florida OR Out-of-state insurance. Must include the applicant’s name and the vehicle details (i.e. year, make, VIN).

5. Waiting For a Lien Payoff 
A 30-day temporary plate when a vehicle with a lien is sold to a new customer and the title is not available to complete for transfer:

  • Valid unexpired Florida or out-of-state driver license or ID card. Manatee County residents must present a Florida DL/ID card.
  • An original or legible copy of a letter of verification from either the new lienholder or the previous owner’s lienholder explaining the delay in receiving the title. In addition to the seller and purchaser information, this letter must include the vehicle details (i.e. year, make, and VIN).  For an example, see our template letter for proof of lien payoff for temporary plate.
  • Notice of sale form (HSMV 82050) signed by both seller and purchaser.
  • Current Florida OR Out-of-state insurance.  Manatee County residents must present Florida insurance.  All proofs must include the applicant’s name and the vehicle details (i.e. year, make and VIN).
  • Out-of-state purchasers (with a temporary residence in Manatee County):  Sales tax on the purchase price at the rate of your home state, not to exceed 6%, will be collected in the form of cash, debit, credit card or certified funds.  Personal checks are not accepted.  A $2.50 processing fee for debit cards and a 2.5% processing fee (minimum of $2.50) for credit cards will apply. Our office does not retain any portion of this fee.  

Acceptable Methods of Payment and Estimated Fees

We accept cash, check, debit cards, and credit cards. A $2.50 processing fee for debit cards and a 2.5% processing fee (minimum of $2.50) for credit cards will apply. Our office does not retain any portion of this fee.

The estimated cost for a temporary plate is $5.00. Estimate does not include sales tax, if applicable. 

First Manatee South County Tag Agency - extended hours and Saturday hours

The First Manatee South County Tag Agency processes registration and title transactions for vehicles, boats, and mobile homes, as well as parking permits. This office does not offer driver license, hunting and fishing, or property tax services.

It offers extended hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday) and Saturday hours (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Appointments are available but are not required. To schedule an appointment, visit the auto tag agency website (autotagagency.net). It is located in Southwood Shoppes at 5756 14th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34207. Their phone number is (941) 782-6050.

This office accepts cash, check, and debit. A fee will be charged on all check transactions to guarantee funds and on all debit transactions as a processing fee. Additional fees may apply.

The First Manatee South County Tag Agency is a privately owned office operating under the authority granted by the Manatee County Tax Collector’s office.

Non-Manatee County Residents

Not a Manatee County resident? Out-of-county residents can only be served at First Manatee South County Tag Agency. See the section above for more details regarding the First Manatee South County Tag Agency. Otherwise, you will need to visit your home county tax collector’s office.