THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — Thurston County has begun issuing temporary permits for passenger vehicles amid a statewide shortage of license plates.
The Thurston County Auditor’s Office said the temporary permits drivers will receive will be valid for 60 days. Drivers will also be issued tabs they can later attach to their metal plates once they are available.
The auditor's office said the shortage is only for passenger plates and truck, trailer and motorcycle licensing will not be impacted.
“While we haven’t heard for certain from the state Department of Licensing when metal plates will be available, we hope our customers are patient while we work through this,” Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall said in a statement.
The auditor's office oversees licensing subagents, which are private businesses, that provide vehicle and vessel licensing services across the county.
Washington state last year moved away from temporary paper plates for weather-proof permits.
For more information on licensing services in Thurston County, visit thurstoncountywa.gov.
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