(a) The department may issue a temporary permit in lieu of registration for a vehicle subject to registration in this state that is not authorized to travel on a public highway because of the lack of registration in this state or the lack of reciprocity with the state or country in which the vehicle is registered.
(b) A permit issued under this section is valid for:
(1) one trip, as provided by Subsection (c); or
(2) 30 days, as provided by Subsection (d).

(c) A one-trip permit is valid for one trip between the points of origin and destination and those intermediate points specified in the application and registration receipt. Unless the vehicle is a bus operating under charter that is not covered by a reciprocity agreement with the state or country in which the bus is registered, a one-trip permit is for the transit of the vehicle only, and the vehicle may not be used for the transportation of any passenger or property. A one-trip permit may not be valid for longer than 15 days from the effective date of registration.
(d) A 30-day permit may be issued only to a passenger vehicle, a private bus, a trailer or semitrailer with a gross weight of not more than 10,000 pounds, a light truck, or a light commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds that will operate unladen. A person may obtain multiple 30-day permits. The department may issue a single registration receipt to apply to all of the periods for which the vehicle is registered.
(e) A person may obtain a permit under this section by:
(1) applying as provided by the department to:
(A) the county assessor-collector of the county in which the vehicle will first be operated on a public highway; or
(B) the department in Austin or at one of the department’s vehicle title and registration regional offices;
(2) paying a fee, in the manner prescribed by the department including a registration service charge for a credit card payment or escrow account of:
(A) $5 for a one-trip permit; or
(B) $25 for each 30-day period; and
(3) furnishing evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle in a form listed under § 502.046(c).
(f) A registration receipt shall be carried in the vehicle at all times during the period in which it is valid. The temporary tag must contain all pertinent information required by this section and must be displayed in the rear window of the vehicle so that the tag is clearly visible and legible when viewed from the rear of the vehicle. If the vehicle does not have a rear window, the temporary tag must be attached on or carried in the vehicle to allow ready inspection. The registration receipt must be carried in the vehicle at all times during the period in which it is valid.
(g) The department may refuse and may instruct a county assessor-collector to refuse to issue a temporary registration for any vehicle if, in the department’s opinion, the vehicle or the owner of the vehicle has been involved in operations that constitute an abuse of the privilege granted by this section. A registration issued after notice to a county assessor-collector under this subsection is void.

Text of section effective until July 01, 2025