PDFWAC 308-56A-140
Department temporary license plate.
(1) What is a department temporary license plate?
(a) The department temporary license plate is a system-generated license plate printed on durable paper material which may be issued in lieu of a registration certificate and license plates when:
(i) The vehicle is not currently licensed in Washington;
(ii) Appropriate vehicle documentation to title and license the vehicle is not immediately available but is likely to be available within 60 days;
(iii) License plates are not immediately available to include, but not be limited to, the issuance of personalized and specialty plates; or
(iv) Other reasons as determined by the department.
(b) For the purposes of this section, a vehicle may be considered unlicensed if the current license expires within 60 days of application for the department temporary license plate, or the vehicle's license plates are missing or unreadable.
(2) How long is a department temporary license plate valid? The department temporary license plate is valid for no longer than 60 days from the date of application or as defined in section 7.
(3) Is there an additional fee when applying for a department temporary license plate? No, there is no additional fee. Titling and licensing fees and taxes are due upon the issuance or the clearing of the department temporary license plate based on the transaction (i.e., titling versus personalized plate issuance).
(4) How do I display the temporary license plate? You must display the temporary license plate the same as described for a permanent license plate in RCW 46.16A.200 (5)(a), in the same location or locations where permanent license plates are displayed for vehicles. The temporary license plate must be secured to remain stable and readable during movement or in windy conditions.
(5) If my vehicle is eligible for monthly gross weight, how many months of gross weight must I purchase with a department temporary license plate? If your vehicle is eligible for monthly gross weight, you may purchase gross weight up to the duration of the department temporary license plate. You may receive credit as described in WAC 308-96A-220(7) for gross weight license already purchased.
(6) How do I obtain a replacement department temporary license plate? You may obtain a replacement department temporary license plate by contacting any vehicle licensing office. You must provide the vehicle identification number or the department temporary license plate number. The replacement department temporary license plate will retain the same expiration date as the original.
(7) When will the department temporary plate be issued for more than 60 days?
(a) In emergent situations as determined by the department, such as plate shortages, the department will issue temporary license plates with an expiration date contingent upon when the situation is anticipated to be resolved.
(b) The department will conduct a customer awareness campaign and communicate with law enforcement agencies when such a determination has been made and when the emergent situation is resolved.
(8) May another department temporary license plate be issued after the expiration of the first? Yes, when necessary, another department temporary license plate may be issued on a case-by-case basis upon departmental approval.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110 and 46.16A.305. WSR 25-22-091, s 308-56A-140, filed 11/4/25, effective 12/5/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. WSR 23-15-119, § 308-56A-140, filed 7/19/23, effective 8/19/23; WSR 07-22-090, § 308-56A-140, filed 11/6/07, effective 12/7/07; WSR 04-08-080, § 308-56A-140, filed 4/6/04, effective 5/7/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.12.040, 46.16.216. WSR 03-12-006, § 308-56A-140, filed 5/22/03, effective 6/22/03; WSR 99-12-031, § 308-56A-140, filed 5/25/99, effective 6/25/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. WSR 93-14-084, § 308-56A-140, filed 6/30/93, effective 7/31/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.12.151 and 46.12.050. WSR 92-03-077, § 308-56A-140, filed 1/14/92, effective 2/14/92; Order MV 208, § 308-56A-140, filed 7/31/74.]