Get a Trip Permit
A trip permit allows Virginia residents to move an unregistered vehicle from one location to another.
- If you already own the vehicle, you'll need a Standard Trip Permit.
- If you intend to purchase the vehicle, you’ll need a Prospective Purchaser’s Trip Permit.
Suzy Q & A Explains Trip Permits
Apply for a Standard Trip Permit
Standard trip permits are for Virginia residents who own an unregistered motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer and want to move it from one location to another within Virginia.
Trip permits are valid for three consecutive days, and only valid in Virginia. You must contact other states if your travel route is outside Virginia.
Application Requirements
- $5 permit fee
- Point of origin and point of destination
- Dates of travel
- Insurance certification or the $41.67 uninsured motor vehicle fee (for motorized vehicles only)
Fees & Facts
- If your vehicle is not properly insured, you must pay $41.67, which is 1/12 of the $500 UMV fee.
- Non-motorized trailers are not required to be insured, but they should be pulled by a properly insured vehicle.
- The UMV payment is valid for 30 days following the issuance of the trip permit. If you apply for additional trip permits during that 30-day window, you won’t be charged additional UMV fees.
- If the vehicle is considered a property-carrying vehicle (such as a moving van), you may not carry property on the vehicle while operating on the trip permit.
Apply for a trip permit online
If you cannot print a document from your computer, you can apply in person at any customer service center.
Apply for a Prospective Purchaser's Trip Permit
Prospective purchaser’s trip permits are for Virginia residents who intend to purchase a vehicle that will be titled and registered in Virginia.
They are valid for three consecutive days, starting on the vehicle’s date of purchase (as indicated on the bill of sale). If you have not purchased the vehicle within 15 days after printing the permit, you must purchase another permit.
Application Requirements
- $5 permit fee
- Make and year of vehicle and any known vehicle description
- Original bill of sale
- Point of origin and point of destination
- Insurance certification or the $41.67 uninsured motor vehicle fee (for motorized vehicles only).
Fees & Facts
- If your vehicle is not properly insured, you must pay $41.67, which is 1/12 of the $500 UMV fee.
- Non-motorized trailers are not required to be insured, but they should be pulled by a properly insured vehicle.
- The UMV payment is valid for 30 days following the issuance of the trip permit. If you apply for additional trip permits during that 30-day window, you won’t be charged additional UMV fees.
- If the vehicle is considered a property-carrying vehicle (such as a moving van), you may not carry property on the vehicle while operating on the trip permit
- The original bill of sale must be attached to the permit to validate the permit, and the permit must be displayed in the vehicle window while the vehicle is operated under the permit.
If you cannot print a document from your computer, you can apply in person at any customer service center.