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90-Day Resident Permits

An Arizona resident who does not have complete documentation for issuance of a title or registration may apply for a 90-day registration. This registration allows you to operate the vehicle while obtaining additional documentation. It may be purchased at any MVD or authorized third-party office. When complete documentation is submitted, vehicle license taxes will be calculated, for the full year, back to the date of issuance of the 90-day registration. Only two 90-Day permits may be issued consecutively within a 12-month

period. Permits cannot be issued if the vehicle has not passed emissions, unless a waiver is authorized by ADEQ. 90-Day permits will not be issued to anyone who is not able to provide proof of ownership, for use on commercial vehicles, or for use on vehicles with a GVW in excess of 26,000 lbs.

Other types of permits that are available to residents include the 30-day general use permit, and the 3-day restricted use permit. Licensed automotive dealers also issue the 45-day temporary registration and plate, for the customer to use until they receive their permanent plate and registration following a vehicle purchase.

90-Day Non-Resident Permit

Arizona allows a non-resident to purchase a 90-day non-resident permit, a temporary paper license plate, to allow the individual to drive their vehicle back to the state in which they reside. This permit is issued to either a non-resident who purchases a vehicle in Arizona, and will be registering the vehicle in their home state, regardless of whether the vehicle is driven or delivered out of state.

A non-resident permit can also be issued to an enrolled member of an Indian tribe, who resides on the reservation, and is purchasing a vehicle in Arizona for removal to an Indian reservation on which the vehicle will remain, and will not be registered in Arizona.

Documentation requirements for a 90-day Non-Resident permit

Ownership documents must be provided:

Vehicle’s Title
Vehicle’s Registration
Notarized Bill of Sale
Dealer Invoice
Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin

Proof of Non-Residency:

An out-of-state driver license
A Native American’s physical address on an Indian Reservation and Tribal enrollment number, census number, or identification number

A 90-Day Non-Resident Permit may only be issued in the Non-Resident vehicle owner’s name, and may only be issued once to the same vehicle and same owner. If a customer was unable to leave the state within the 90-Day period, a 30-Day general use permit may be issued.

A 90-Day Non-Resident Permit is valid in Arizona or any other state. These permits are issued for vehicles sold by new and used motor vehicle dealers, and private parties. They may be issued for a commercial vehicle, but only if it does not transport persons or property on an intrastate basis.

A semi-trailer that is manufactured in Arizona, and purchased by a Non-Resident qualifies for the permit to transport goods from Arizona. The permit is valid for a period of not more than 90 days from the date of issuance, or upon foreign state registration, whichever comes first. Once the vehicle is registered in the owner’s home state, the permit becomes null and void.

If, after the expiration of a 90-Day Non-Resident permit and an additional 30-Day General Use Permit, the vehicle remains in Arizona, the owner must then register the vehicle in Arizona. However, if registering the vehicle in Arizona, the owner may then qualify for other permits.

Also note that the purchaser of a 90-Day Non-Resident permit who registers the vehicle within 365 days after the issuance of the permit, will be liable for any tax, penalty, and interest due to the Arizona Department of Revenue. The Arizona MVD, Authorized Third Party Providers, or the motor vehicle dealer, will not be responsible for collecting any outstanding tax, penalty, or interest due from the customer. It will be the responsibility of Arizona Department of Revenue to collect the monies due.

30-Day General Use Permit

Arizona MVD and Authorized Third Party Providers issue 30-Day General Use Permits in lieu of a permanent registration when circumstances indicate that no other permit type applies.

Generally speaking, a 30-Day General Use Permit may only be issued for a vehicle once in a 12 month period. It is valid in Arizona or any other state. There are no movement restrictions or residency requirements for a 30-Day General Use Permit.

Arizona MVD charges a nominal fee for this permit, and an Authorized Third Party Provider will add a small convenience fee in addition. In addition to the fee, the following items are required:

Proof of ownership, via one of the following documents:

Vehicle certificate of title
Vehicle registration
Notarized bill of sale
Dealer invoice
Copy of security agreement
Authorized possession of the vehicle

The 30-Day General Use Permit is issued when:

All other permit options have been exhausted
The vehicle requires repairs
The owner wishes to sell the vehicle after having transferred the plate credit to another vehicle
No other permit type applies

A 30-Day General Use Permit may be obtained for any vehicle, regardless of where it was last titled or registered, or whether it has been previously titled or registered in Arizona. When an ownership document is not available or presented, a physical inspection is required, and an NCIC-ACIC check is performed.

An Arizona customer number (typically your driver license number) is required to obtain this permit. If a customer does not have an Arizona ID, driver license, or an existing customer number, one will be created for a nominal fee. For an out-of-state vehicle, the other state’s plate(s) must be surrendered, or a plate statement will be required.

A duplicate 30-Day General Use Permit can be generated if the original is lost, mutilated, or destroyed. The duplicate will have the exact same expiration date shown on it. Arizona MVD charges a nominal fee, and a small convenience fee is added by Authorized Third Party Providers.

A Commercial International Registration Plan (IRP) Apportioned vehicle is not eligible to receive a 30-Day General Use Permit. Motor carriers may use temporary proportional registrations for vehicles that are added to an existing fleet or in lieu of lost registrations. pending receipt of permanent or replacement registrations. The 90-Day IRP Temporary Permit is issued by Arizona MVD’s Motor Carrier Services Department, or Authorized Third Party Providers, and Authorized Title Services companies.

3-Day Restricted Use Permit

Arizona MVD and Authorized Third Party Providers are able to issue 3-Day Restricted Use Permits in lieu of permanent registrations under the following circumstances:

To apply for title and/or registration
Vehicle needs emissions testing, prior to registration or renewal
Vehicle requires a physical inspection, prior to registration or renewal
Repairs are required to comply with emissions testing or physical inspection, prior to registration (or renewal)

The 3-Day Restricted Use permit allows an unregistered vehicle:

To apply for title and/or registration
Repairs are required to comply with emissions testing or physical inspection
To operate on Arizona roadways for a period of 3 business days, excluding weekends and holidays

Unlike other available permits, the 3-Day Restricted Use Permit does not require an ownership document, but the following information is required from the customer:

The year of the vehicle
The make of the vehicle
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for the vehicle
Note: exceptions to the VIN requirement are made for home made trailers, and specially constructed vehicles.

Important facts about this permit:

Anyone can request this permit
Only three permits of this type may be issued to the same vehicle in any twelve month period.
Arizona MVD charges a nominal fee for the permit, and Authorized Third Party Providers add a small convenience fee.
A customer number, Arizona ID, or driver license number is NOT required to obtain this type of permit.