DMV Temporary Plates

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) temporary license plates serve as forms of temporary vehicle registration until a permanent registration is acquired. A temporary license plate shows that a driver owns the vehicle when they have yet to acquire a complete registration. Temporary plates are essential when:

Driving an unregistered vehicle to an inspection.
Buying a new or used vehicle before its registration is complete.
Importing a car before getting a registration.

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DMV Temporary License Plates From RELYCO

Unfortunately, temporary license plate fraud is on the rise. There are accounts on the news of criminals using temporary plates to commit crimes because it is difficult to identify the vehicles. State agencies are losing toll and parking revenue from drivers using fraudulent temp plates. For instance, when COVID shut down motor vehicle offices and causing law enforcement staffing shortages, temporary plate fraud has become a national issue.

As a result, there is a movement to update temporary license plate programs. States are shifting from handwritten cardboard plates to durable and more secure temporary license plates. These plates are printed on-demand at the dealer. They incorporate multiple identification and security features to aid law enforcement and plate vehicle identification efforts. Synthetic durable paper designed for laser printing has become the recommended material for this application.

example temporary license plate from RELYCO

Why Do DMV Temporary License Plates Need More Security?

Today, most states are not tracking or using a controlled stock for DMV temporary registration plates. To make matters worse, there are many suspect websites offering temporary plates to the public.

Plates that are handwritten or use a small font make it nearly impossible for law enforcement to identify drivers, which is vital for instances of hit-and-runs or other criminal acts. Beyond public safety concerns, states also are losing revenue on fake temp plates sold on the internet to avoid paying toll road fees.

Adding security to plates assists law enforcement, parking/toll monitors and vehicle agencies in identifying vehicles driven without valid license plates. The addition of security features on plates also makes them difficult to alter or duplicate.

Temporary Registration Plates That Meet Industry Standards

The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) updated its national standards, which encompass what materials and information must be used for temporary plates. Printers must use durable materials and security features and print in specific fonts for plate readers. They must also control stock and have on-demand or mass-production capabilities.

Printable Synthetic Paper Is the Material of Choice for DMV Temp Plates

The use of synthetic paper optimizes durability and readability during the life span of temporary plates. Some states and dealers still use paper cardstock or cardboard for temporary plates. But these paper plates simply do not hold up when exposed to moisture, which damages printed numbers and barcodes beyond recognition. Synthetic stock solves durability problems because is it weatherproof, tear-proof, waterproof, fade-resistant and tolerant of high and low temperatures.

RELYCO specializes in synthetic papers that are used specifically for laser printing applications. We partner with many of the leading laser printers to ensure our materials work well in most desktop and large format digital printers. RELYCO’s synthetic paper is called REVLAR.

REVLAR Is the Best Synthetic Paper for Temp Plates

REVLAR is a unique, innovative and easily printable synthetic paper. With REVLAR, you have the option of adding different security features, such as watermarks, state seals, control numbers, QR codes, holograms, tamper evident films, etc.

REVLAR has a bright white background, making large, bold plate numbers stand out for electronic license plate readers (LPRs).

We offer different template options. There are REVLAR options for automobiles, motorcycles, trailers, watercraft and recreational vehicles. We also have templates with special die-cuts and perforations for including a temp registration card with a plate.

Temporary Plate Experience Provides a Level of Trust

RELYCO is a leading industry expert in temporary license plates materials. With millions of our DMV temporary license plates being used across the United States and Canada, RELYCO has experience providing a wide range of plate options. Many of our customers are auto dealers who purchase plates directly from RELYCO. We work with state agencies and providers whose contracts enable them to buy and customize blank stock.

RELYCO is familiar with the requirements for building temporary plate programs that are best in class and meet motor vehicle agency industry standards. We do more than making sure clients have the material they need by setting up secure and durable temporary plate programs for states.

One of our newest programs is used in California, which recently passed legislation for durable temporary plates. We have also provided plate solutions in Texas, Arizona and Nevada for many years. In Nevada, RELYCO worked directly with the Nevada DMV to set up a special program for auto dealers.

Resources

Secure Temporary License Plates Brochure

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Temporary License Plate Guide

Guide

Template Options

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Ideas and inspiration

car with an example RELYCO temporary license plate

Printable Temporary License Plates

How You Can Use Waterproof Synthetic Paper

How RELYCO Became the Provider for Nevada’s Temporary DMV License Plate

Contact RELYCO for the Best REVLAR Printing Material for Your Temp Plates

A temporary registration plate should be printed on a durable, printable material where the information clearly identifies the vehicle. RELYCO produces quality REVLAR, the best material for laser printing temp plates. REVLAR paper from RELYCO is durable and lasts years. As an auto dealer or motor vehicle agency, you can trust that the REVLAR paper stock will be compatible with your printer and meet all durability requirements.

Check out our products and add to your cart. You can also contact us to learn more about our solutions!

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