Having valid car plates is one of the most important parts of operating a motor vehicle. Different states have varying requirements, but this is a standard nationwide. Now, Washington has a shortage of license plates, and drivers could be left waiting months for this all-important part of vehicle registration. 

Washington state can’t make enough car plates

People expect to get car plates after they get a new vehicle. However, according to KOMO News, many drivers in Washington have to wait before they can add this official registration to their cars. This is because there is a license plate shortage in the state. Naturally, this sounds odd to everyone reading because how on earth could there be a shortage of what all states require? 

Put simply, there is a shortage of car plates in Washington because of labor. Like many others, the state uses the correctional industry to make license plates. There isn’t necessarily a shortage of prisoners in the state. However, they are having a hard time finding people behind bars who can do the job. This is despite efforts to train more inmates to make the plates. 

The Washington State Department of Licensing says, “Customers could wait as much as 2-3 months before receiving their permanent license plates. Customers may receive differing answers depending upon the location they visit, as some counties/vehicle licensing offices have stock while others are experiencing low or no inventory of varying plate types.”

Now, they are using an outside vendor to assist with making more car plates for drivers. For the time being, drivers will be issued temporary license plates.