What restrictions, if any, are placed on the timing of issuance of a temporary tag then a permanent plate for the same vehicle?
A temporary plate is issued for 30 days. A permanent plate may be issued at any time during the 30 days or even after. However, once a metal plate is issued the temporary plate becomes invalid in our database and thus law enforcement will not be able to see it. At a high level, we use SEARCH to determine if its an individual or Business customer. Then we use the results of the SEARCH and enter the vehicle information using the QUERY to identify the vehicle. Then we send an ISSUANCE file to report a temporary tag number if web reporting only, or if printing on demand, we request a temporary tag number. If there is a driver license number, you do not need to do the search. The search is used to get the customer number when there isnt a driver license number available or it is a business. The customer number and vehicle identification number are used to link a vehicle and a person.
