Temporary Plates

Private Sale 20-Day Temporary Plate

Pursuant to RSA 261:57, a 20-day temporary plate is available to New Hampshire residents for all vehicles purchased through a private sale, or purchased from an out of state dealer that does not offer temporary plates upon purchase.  20-day registration plates are available through drop box services or an appointment at some DMV locations.  You will be required to provide the following information. If you choose to make an appointment, you will be required to bring this information with you. If you are utilizing drop box services, please provide the below information in an envelope and place it in one of our Drop Box locations:

• A photocopy of the front and back of the Title signed by the seller and buyer; or a photocopy of the Bill of Sale.  The Bill of Sale must include the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the date of the sale, the Description of Vehicle (Year, Make, Model, Color, # Cylinders and Body style), Signatures and Addresses of both the buyer(s) AND seller(s).
• Driver License or Non Driver ID (if utilizing drop box please place a photocopy in the envelope)
• $10.00 fee (made payable to “State of NH-DMV”)

If someone other than the purchaser comes in to obtain the 20-day registration plate, a notarized letter from the purchaser authorizing the third party to obtain the plate on behalf of the purchaser is required. The third party must provide proof of identity.

Dealer 20-Day Temporary Plate

Pursuant to RSA 261:56, if a New Hampshire resident purchases a vehicle from a New Hampshire authorized dealership, the dealership will provide a twenty (20) day temporary plate if the vehicle is safe for the road. During that 20-day period, the vehicle must be registered with the town and state for permanent registration plates. If a dealership does not provide a 20-day plate because the vehicle is deemed unsafe, the dealership will provide an Unsafe Motor Vehicle Form and the vehicle is not eligible for a 20-day plate. 

Out of State Residents

Pursuant to RSA 261:57-b, if you are not a resident of New Hampshire, but have purchased a vehicle through private sale from a New Hampshire resident, you may obtain a 20-day in-transit registration certificate. 20-day in-transit registrations are available through drop box services or an appointment at some DMV locations. Please visit our Appointments and Services page for additional information. The fee is $10.00, and the purchaser is required to provide proof of identity and a properly assigned title. In the event the vehicle is exempt from having a title, a bill of sale that includes the legal names and addresses of both the buyer and the seller, signatures of the buyer and seller, the Vehicle Identification Number, and a detailed description of the vehicle, (make, model etc.) must be provided.