Temporary Tags

         
          Temporary Tag                Motorcycle Temporary Tag

Issuing Requirements

• To issue a temporary tag, there must be a recent legitimate purchase order for the vehicle sold, as outlined in the Ohio Revised Code Section 4517.26.
• The purchase order must be executed by the motor vehicle dealer issuing the tag.
• A temporary tag may only be issued if the purchaser does not have valid license plates that can be transferred to the newly purchased vehicle.
  
  

Guidelines

• Only one temporary tag may be issued for each vehicle sold. Dealers may not grant extensions or alter tags in any way.
• If a temporary tag expires before the purchaser has received the title, the customer may obtain permission from the Registrar of motor vehicles to purchase a second temporary tag from a Deputy Registrar ONLY.
• The customer must present the original purchase order and a copy of the original temporary tag registration.The issuance of temporary tags must be reported to the BMV within 48 hours of issuance. Failure to report them within 48 hours may result in suspension of temporary tag privileges.
• If you have questions, or need additional information, please call the Dealer Licensing Section.
  
  

Procedures

• All temporary tags issued by Non-WE (Non-Web Enabled) Dealers, must be reported by submitting a temporary tag registration application to the BMV, within forty-eight (48) hours of issuance.
• All temporary tags issued by WE (Web Enabled) Dealers must be reported electronically by key entering the temporary tag registration information, within 48 hours of the sale, through a Web page designed just for this purpose. DO NOT SEND the white copy of the registration application to the Bureau.
• A temporary tag registration application must be completed at the time a temporary tag is issued. Issue the applications and tags in numerical order. Do not pre-print tag numbers on the applications. This will allow for any applications or tags that may be voided. Do not void a blank tag when an application has been voided, simply complete another application. Allow a full 30 days, including date of issuance, adjusting for 28 and 31 day months.
• To void a tag online, access the Dealer Licensing System.
  
• If two or more dealerships are operating from the same location, make certain that the temporary tag inventories are kept separate at all times. No dealer is permitted to sell, lend, or give your temporary tags or registration applications to another dealer. Each dealer is responsible for tags and applications consigned to their dealership.
• Records must be maintained and easily accessible for a period of three years, as required by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:1-3-04.
  
  

Be a Web Dealer

On September 16th, 2004, dealers were able to report sales of temporary tags electronically and keep up to $3.50 per tag (Off-highway/APV stickers excluded, see terms below). All they needed was access to the Web. Are YOU interested?

The Dealer Licensing Section, is now offering the opportunity for all dealers to report sales of temporary tag registration information via the Web. You will no longer need to send the paper registration to the Temporary Tag Unit by regular mail.

Here is how it works. Dealers purchase tags at a reduced price of $15.00 each and may continue to sell them for up to $18.50 to customers. The dealer will keep the $3.50 difference and key enter the temporary tag registration information, within 48 hours of the sale, through a web-page designed just for this purpose.

Temporary off-highway/APV stickers do not qualify for the WE Dealer (Web Enabled) program. Dealers purchase temporary off-highway/APV stickers for $5.50 each and may not sell them for more then $5.50.

To sign up to be a WE dealer, simply click Become a Web Enabled (WE) Dealer and log into the system.

For more information and restrictions, call or email the Dealer Licensing Section.

Download Forms

BMV 4379 - Instructions to Dealers Selling Temporary Tags

BMV 4381 - Temporary Tag Request Form

BMV 4382 - Dealer Temporary Tag Void Form (Non-WE)

BMV 4436 - Registration Application Screening Instructions

BMV 5607 - Vehicle Color Choices Chart