An Arizona 30-day general use permit costs $15. You pay that flat rate to the Motor Vehicle Division directly, either at an MVD office or through the AZ MVD Now online portal, and neither adds a processing fee.1ServiceArizona. ServiceArizona Fees Authorized third-party MVD providers charge the same $15 to the state but add their own convenience fee on top, and the amount varies by provider.
The fee is set by statute and doesn’t change with vehicle type or value.2Arizona Legislature. Arizona Code 28-2156 – Temporary General Use Registration; Definition What you’re buying is 30 days of legal road use from the date of issue while you sort out permanent registration.
When the $15 Permit Is the Right One
Arizona issues the general use permit when you can’t complete permanent registration yet.3Arizona Department of Transportation. What Is a 30-Day General Use Permit? Common reasons include:
- You bought a vehicle from a private party and need time to transfer the title.
- You moved to Arizona or brought in an out-of-state vehicle and are still gathering documents.
- A dealer or lienholder hasn’t released the title yet.
- You’re a nonresident with an off-highway vehicle titled in another state.2Arizona Legislature. Arizona Code 28-2156 – Temporary General Use Registration; Definition
What You Need to Bring
Show up without any of these and you’ll leave without a permit:
- Proof of ownership: a title, current out-of-state registration, notarized bill of sale, or dealer invoice.
- Proof of Arizona insurance meeting the state’s minimum liability requirements.4Arizona Department of Transportation. What Is Mandatory Insurance?
- A valid driver’s license or state ID (Arizona or out-of-state).
- The vehicle’s VIN, make, model, and year.
Insurance is the piece that most often derails a first attempt. You need an active Arizona-compliant policy before applying, not after.
Where to Pay
Three channels handle the transaction:
- An MVD office. Walk in, submit documents, pay $15, walk out with the permit.
- An authorized third-party provider. Often faster than a state office, but expect an added service fee that the state doesn’t set or cap.3Arizona Department of Transportation. What Is a 30-Day General Use Permit?
- The AZ MVD Now online portal. The 30-day permit is available online if your situation fits the standard pathway; unusual circumstances may still require an in-person visit.
What It Costs if the Permit Runs Out
Driving after day 30 without permanent registration turns a $15 problem into a much larger one. Operating an unregistered vehicle is a civil violation carrying a $300 penalty, though a court can dismiss the charge if you complete registration after the citation.5Arizona Legislature. Arizona Code 28-2532 – Registration; Violation; Civil Penalty; Dismissal Separately, delinquent registration fees start at $8 for the first month overdue and add $4 for each additional month, up to a $100 cap.6Arizona Legislature. Arizona Code 28-2162 – Delinquent Registration; Penalty; Lien; Failure to Apply for Certificate of Title; Waiver Those stack on top of the registration and title costs you already owe.
Budget Time for Emissions Testing
If you’ll register the vehicle in the Phoenix or Tucson metro area, it probably needs to pass an emissions test before permanent registration. Vehicles five model years old or newer, vehicles from 1966 or older, and electric vehicles are exempt.7Arizona Department of Transportation. Emissions Testing can also apply if you commute into either metro area from outside it. Schedule it early in the 30-day window so a failed or delayed test doesn’t push you past the permit’s expiration.