What Is a Temporary License Plate in Kansas?
In Kansas, several short-term registrations are used that allow buyers and sellers to operate vehicles on public roads until permanent license plates arrive. The 60-day temporary registration permit is the primary class covering most dealer and private purchases.
Licensed dealers issue permits through the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Dealer Web Portal. County treasurers handle permits for private sales and nonresident purchases at 105 county vehicle offices. The 30-day temporary license plate is a separate paper tag issued by the county after registration, filling the gap while the permanent digital license plate is printed and mailed.
All Kansas temporary permits take the form of paper tags or stickers placed in a plastic tag bag and secured where a metal license plate would go.
What Types of Temporary License Plates Are There in Kansas?
| Class | Official Name | Trigger | Issuing Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dealer Purchase/Private Purchase | 60-day Temporary Registration Permit | Vehicle purchase, pre-registration | Dealer or County Treasurer |
| Nonresident Purchase | 60-day Nonresident Temporary Registration | Nonresident purchases from a Kansas seller | County Treasurer |
| Post-Registration | 30-day Temporary License Plate | Registration completed, plate in production | County Treasurer |
| Transport from Auction | 72-hour Transport Permit | Vehicle purchased at auction | Auctioneer |
K.S.A. §8-2409 limits the issuance of one 60-day permit per buyer per vehicle. Kansas does not publish any official extension for any class.
When Is a Temporary License Plate Required in Kansas?
- A buyer purchasing from a dealer who has not yet registered the vehicle must have a 60-day temporary registration permit according to K.S.A. §8-135(b).
- A buyer from a private party without a transferred plate must obtain the same permit from the county treasurer before driving on Kansas highways.
- A nonresident purchasing a vehicle from a Kansas seller applies to the county treasurer for a 60-day nonresident temporary registration permit according to K.S.A. §8-143(e).
- An auctioneer conducting a vehicle auction issues the buyer a 72-hour transport permit according to K.S.A. §8-143l.
- A buyer with a current plate from a sold vehicle may display that plate on the newly acquired vehicle for up to 60 days according to K.S.A. §8-135(b), completely bypassing the permit.
How to Get a Temporary License Plate in Kansas?
- Gather the assigned title or manufacturer’s statement of origin, proof of insurance, sales tax receipt (if dealer sale), and valid photo ID.
- For dealer purchases, the dealer prints the 60-day permit via the Dealer Web Portal at the point of sale.
- For private purchases, visit the county treasurer’s vehicle office in the county where the vehicle will be housed.
- Pay the permit fee at the counter or through the dealer’s electronic funds transfer.
- Receive the paper permit immediately; place it in a plastic tag bag and secure it to the rear of the vehicle.
The Kansas Department of Revenue’s title page lists all required documents by transaction type.
How Much Does a Temporary License Plate Cost in Kansas?
| Class | Fee | Automation / Application | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60-day Temporary Registration Permit | $3 | Electronic transfer via Dealer Web Portal | Dealer (passed to buyer) |
| 60-day Nonresident Temporary Registration | $3 | None | Nonresident Buyer |
| 30-day Temporary License Plate | No separate fee charged | Included in registration | Buyer |
| 72-hour Transport Permit | $3 | Purchased in multiples of three | Auctioneer |
County treasurers may charge additional fees for county facilities or upgrades above the state permit cost, as published by the Kansas County Treasurers Association fee schedule.
How to Get a Temporary License Plate Online in Kansas?
Partially. Only licensed dealers can issue a 60-day permit online through the Dealer Web Portal.
Consumers cannot create any Kansas temporary permit through a self-service website. The KS WebTax Portal exclusively serves dealers for on-demand permit printing through electronic funds transfer.
Buyers from private parties and nonresidents must visit the county treasurer’s vehicle office in person. Kansas operates 105 county treasurer offices statewide.
For any dealer purchase, issuance occurs at the point of sale; for all other cases, the county treasurer’s counter is the only channel.
How Long Can I Run a Temporary License Plate in Kansas?
| Class | Duration | Geographic Restriction | Extension |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60-day Temporary Registration Permit | 60 days from issuance | Kansas highways | None |
| 60-day Nonresident Temporary Registration | 60 days from issuance | Trip to home state | None |
| 30-day Temporary License Plate | 30 days from registration | Kansas highways | Reissue if damaged |
| 72-hour Transport Permit | 72 hours from issuance | As specified in the permit | None |
Operation beyond any window falls under K.S.A. §8-142, making unregistered operation an offense. K.S.A. §8-149 sets penalties of fines up to $2,500, imprisonment from 30 days to six months, or both.