At least 400 thousand temporary vehicle plates are still in circulation and these are the new steps to update them

Werner Ovalle, superintendent of Tax Administration, when announcing the digital modernization of the Vehicle Tax Registry (RFV Digital), responded that there are 400 thousand plates in circulation in provisional status, according to data provided on June 9, for which the entity is generating strategies and actions to implement, although it did not detail which ones.

Since 2018 and for several years, the SAT faced difficulties due to delays in reception deadlines or to award tenders for the acquisition of metal platesso it chose to grant provisional or temporary plates in two versions of materials: laminated paper and PVC. From 2024 and 2025 they began to be delivered definitive plates made of polystyrene, a decision that, according to the entity on that occasion, helps avoid shortages of these badges and reduces costs.

They digitize procedures and reduce steps

Starting June 10, 2026, procedures such as updating temporary license plates can be done digitally from the Virtual Agency, with a reduction in steps as part of the second phase of the modernization of the RFV Digital.

According to the SAT, this new modality includes both the updating of provisional or temporary paper and PVC plates, and this requires five steps. Previously, at least nine were required, which included the taxpayer’s presence several times at the SAT offices.

The entity assured that the steps are now easily accessible for the taxpayer and that, if they have all the documentation and meet the requirements, the digital application through the Virtual Agency It can last about five minutes.

When making the digital request, the system generates validations and an electronic file with which it confirms what information the tax administration already has in its records, so the user will not have to submit it again.

The steps explained by the entity for updating temporary license plates are:

1. Fill out the application from the Virtual Agency
2. Generate the corresponding forms. In this case, the SAT indicated that no charge is made for updating license plates.
3. Sending the application digitally; In this step, the system performs validations and generates an electronic file
4. After the application is approved, the plates must be collected at a SAT service point.
5. Print electronic badges from the Virtual Agency

The SAT has created a manual that consolidates steps 1, 2 and 3 in the same process within the Virtual Agency.

Applications are free through the Virtual Agency and they can be completed in five minutes, Ovalle said this week when referring to the procedures for replacing badges. He added that now it depends on the user at what time they want to make their request, given that the tax administration systems operate 24 hours a day.

Prerequisites and filling out the update request

The SAT has a manual that mentions the requirements that must be met in advance and how to request the update of temporary license plate badges for land vehicles through the new module added to the Virtual Agency:

• To request a badge update, you must have a device with internet access and have a Virtual Agency
• In addition, you must be solvent in paying the circulation tax of vehicles registered in the name of the taxpayer that requires the update.
• Be updated in the Unified Tax Registry (RTU) and, in the case of legal entities, the legal representative must also be updated

User manual for the application in Virtual Agency

The manual has the steps to make the request to update temporary plates

• Enter the SAT Portal, select the Virtual Agency icon, enter your username and password and press the button Login.
• Upon entering, you must select the option from the menu Tax Services, Vehicles, Applications.
• The system displays the window Vehicle Tax Registration Requestsand you must press the option Replacement.
• You can check requirements in the button See requirements or press Continue to start the application.
• The system displays the taxpayer’s registered data in the RTU; If the information is correct, press the button Continue.

• If it is a legal entity, the system displays the section Active legal representatives; if you have several, you must select one and then press Continue.
• The system enables the section Vehicle data; Select the vehicle to update temporary license plates, verify that the data is correct and press the button Continue.
• The system enables the section Request type and you must select Badge Update and then circulation plates.
• The system shows the reasons for replacing the circulation card and ownership certificate; must press Continue.
• To confirm the selected request, press Accept to continue or Cancel to modify.
• The payment details screen appears, and you must press the button Generate form.
• As this request has no cost, the system displays the form in status 3 of 4 and the word Frozen. You have the option to view the form or submit it.

• After pressing the button Submit formthe confirmation message appears and you must select Yeah either No.
• If you select Yeahpress the button Update form status; then the system shows the form in status 4 of 4 and the word Presentedand you must press the button Continue.
• The system displays a summary of the request and the code assigned to it, as well as personal and vehicle data. This summary can be saved or printed by the taxpayer.
• To complete the application, you must read the Sworn declarationthen press the button Send requestand the system displays the update request completion screen.

Schedule the appointment

After the application is reviewed virtually by the SAT, the taxpayer receives, via email, a message indicating that they can now schedule an appointment at their Virtual Agency to go to a SAT service point and receive their license plates. Then, the taxpayer can download their electronic badges from their Virtual Agency.

vehicle park

As of June 9, 2026, the vehicle fleet is 6 million 675 thousand 706 units in circulation, which includes 3.4 million motorcycles, 2.8 million private vehicles and 426 thousand commercial vehicles, according to data released by the entity.

As of that date, the tax on the circulation of land vehicles (ISCV), corresponding to 2026, in 2.2 million units, which represent 33.1%. The total collected by this tribute is Q573.5 million, which represents 38.4% of the annual goal of Q1 thousand 495.13 million