Washington DOL Warns of License Plate Shortage; Temporary Tags to Be Used

On September 10, 2025, the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) issued a public warning about a statewide shortage of license plates. According to statements reported by local media, more than half of Washington’s counties are now out of stock of at least one type of standard plate. Until new plates can be manufactured, drivers who register or purchase vehicles will receive temporary paper tags instead of the familiar metal plates.

The shortage stems from a production slowdown at Correctional Industries, the state-run prison industry that manufactures license plates. DOL officials say policy changes over the past decade—including legislative efforts to reduce incarceration, the state Supreme Court’s Blake decision, and pandemic-related constraints—have reduced the number of incarcerated workers available to operate equipment. As a result, plate inventory has dwindled. To address the problem, the Department of Corrections recently moved the plate factory from a minimum-security facility to a higher-security prison where more inmates can work. New equipment has been installed and additional workers are being trained, but officials warn that rebuilding inventory will take time.

In the interim, the DOL is partnering with an outside vendor to manufacture passenger-vehicle plates while Correctional Industries scales up. Plate availability will vary by county; some licensing offices still have stock, while others have none. Customers who receive a temporary tag will be able to use it for 60 days. If permanent plates have not arrived by the time a temporary tag expires, drivers can return to their licensing office to obtain another temporary tag. DOL spokespeople estimate that wait times for metal plates could reach two to three months until production returns to normal.

The agency has not provided a specific timeline for when normal plate production will resume, but officials emphasize that increasing manufacturing capacity is a priority. They also remind customers that a federal REAL ID requirement for domestic air travel takes effect next year, so Washington residents should ensure their identification is compliant even as they cope with registration delays. The DOL plans to issue updates as plate inventory improves and thanks drivers for their patience.