1.6 Temporary License Plates (TLP) Attachment Problems and Solutions

Temporary License Plates — TLPs — replaced the old paper temporary operating permits that buyers used to tape inside their windshields. The current system requires dealers to produce and attach a physical temporary plate to the vehicle at the time of sale. This sounds straightforward, but in practice, dealers encounter a range of problems with TLPs. Let’s walk through the most common issues and how to solve them.
First, the mechanical issues. TLPs are produced on a specialized printer that the DMV requires you to have at your dealership. These printers jam. They run out of the specific TLP stock paper. The print quality degrades. If your printer goes down on a Saturday afternoon and you have three customers ready to take delivery, you have a problem. The solution is preventive maintenance: keep your printer in good working order, stock extra TLP paper and ink cartridges, and know who to call for emergency printer repair. Some dealers keep a backup printer on hand for exactly this reason.
Second, the system issues. TLPs are generated through the DMV’s electronic system, which is integrated with the Report of Sale filing system. If the DMV system goes down — and it does occasionally — you cannot generate TLPs. In this situation, you still need to complete the sale, but the buyer cannot legally drive the vehicle off your lot without a temporary plate or a temporary operating permit. DMV has provided guidance for dealers on what to do during system outages, and you need to familiarize yourself with those procedures before an outage happens.
Third, attachment problems. TLPs must be securely attached to the vehicle in the license plate mounting position — not stuck in the rear window, not taped to the bumper, not set on the dashboard. The plate must be clearly visible and legible. Some vehicle types present challenges: motorcycles, for example, may not have a standard plate mounting position that accommodates the TLP format. Trailers present similar challenges. Make sure you have the appropriate mounting hardware for different vehicle types.

💡 Real-World Example
A dealer sold a classic car that had been restored without a rear license plate bracket. The dealer printed the TLP but simply placed it in the rear window. The buyer was pulled over the next day and cited for improper plate display. The buyer then called the dealer, angry, demanding the dealer pay the ticket. The dealer could have avoided this by installing a temporary plate bracket before delivery — a five-dollar part that would have prevented a hundred-dollar headache.