Temporary license plates — Application form and contents — Display and duration — Application fee — Department may adopt rules.
RCW 46.16A.305
in effect(1) The department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director may grant a temporary license plate to operate a vehicle for which an application for registration has been made. The application for a temporary license plate must be made by the owner or the owner's representative to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director on a form furnished by the department and must contain: (a) A full description of the vehicle, including its make, model, vehicle identification number, and type of body; (b) The name and address of the applicant; (c) The date of application; and (d) Other information that the department may require. (2) Temporary license plates must: (a) Be consecutively numbered; (b) Be displayed as described for permanent license plates in RCW 46.16A.200 (5)(a); (c) Be composed of material that must be durable and remain unaltered in field conditions for a minimum of four months; and (d) Remain on the vehicle only until the receipt of permanent license plates. (3) The application must be accompanied by the fee required under RCW 46.17.400 (1)(b). (4) Pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, the department may adopt rules for the design and display of temporary license plates. (5) By December 1, 2025, the department must adopt rules implementing contingency extensions of the expiration date for department temporary license plates in cases of shortages of permanent license plates. The rules must prioritize reducing customer return trips for department temporary license plates, and include a communication plan with state and local law enforcement agencies regarding the implementation of the contingency extensions.
(1) The department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director may grant a temporary license plate to operate a vehicle for which an application for registration has been made. The application for a temporary license plate must be made by the owner or the owner's representative to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director on a form furnished by the department and must contain:
(a) A full description of the vehicle, including its make, model, vehicle identification number, and type of body;
(b) The name and address of the applicant;
(c) The date of application; and
(d) Other information that the department may require.
(2) Temporary license plates must:
(a) Be consecutively numbered;
(b) Be displayed as described for permanent license plates in RCW 46.16A.200 (5)(a);
(c) Be composed of material that must be durable and remain unaltered in field conditions for a minimum of four months; and
(d) Remain on the vehicle only until the receipt of permanent license plates.
(3) The application must be accompanied by the fee required under RCW 46.17.400 (1)(b).
(4) Pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, the department may adopt rules for the design and display of temporary license plates.
(5) By December 1, 2025, the department must adopt rules implementing contingency extensions of the expiration date for department temporary license plates in cases of shortages of permanent license plates. The rules must prioritize reducing customer return trips for department temporary license plates, and include a communication plan with state and local law enforcement agencies regarding the implementation of the contingency extensions.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.16A&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026