Temporary Permits.
The Department of Licensing (DOL) authorizes the administration of temporary permits for the operation of a vehicle issued after an application for registration has been made.  The DOL also issues temporary permits such as the vehicle trip permit, a temporary off-road vehicle use permit, and a temporary permit for nonresident members of the Armed Forces.
 
Temporary permits that allow for the operation of a vehicle for which an application for registration has been made must be consecutively numbered, displayed where visible from the outside of the vehicle, and remain on the vehicle only until the receipt of permanent license plates.  These temporary permits may be issued by an authorized vehicle dealer, the DOL, a county auditor or other agent, or a subagent appointed by the Director of the DOL.  The DOL, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the Director requires the applicant to pay a permit fee before accepting an application for a permit.
 
License Plate Display.
Each license plate must be kept clean, be able to be plainly seen and read, and be attached 4 feet or less from the ground in a horizontal position.  If two license plates have been issued, license plates must be attached conspicuously at the front and rear of each vehicle.  If one license plate has been issued, the plate must be attached to the rear of the vehicle.  The Washington State Patrol (WSP) may grant exceptions to license plate display requirements if the body construction of the vehicle prevents compliance.

International Registration Plan.

The International Registration Plan (IRP) is an international program that allows commercial vehicle registration reciprocity among states and Canadian provinces.  It facilitates uniformity of laws regarding the registration of interstate commercial vehicles and provides each jurisdiction with a prorated share of fees based on distance traveled and weight.  In order for states to be eligible to receive certain federal transportation funds they must participate in an IRP.

The DOL's authority to issue a temporary permit to operate a vehicle when an application for registration has been made is eliminated and replaced with the authority to issue a temporary license plate to operate a vehicle when an application for registration has been made.  The required fees for temporary license plates are the same as for temporary permits.  Requirements for issuing a temporary license plate are the same as the requirements for issuing a temporary permit, except that the temporary license plate must be displayed as is required for a permanent license plate and it must be composed of durable material that remains unaltered in field conditions for a minimum of four months.  The DOL is given authority to adopt rules for the design and display of temporary license plates. 
 
A temporary license plate is defined as a plate or placard that may be issued to a vehicle owner by the DOL or by an authorized entity for the purposes of temporary vehicle licensing.
 
A license plate is defined as a plate that may be issued to a vehicle owner by the DOL or by any authorized entity for vehicle licensing or identification purposes.  Neither temporary license plates nor metal tags issued for licensing wheeled all-terrain vehicles are license plates.

Temporary operating authority is defined as a paper or electronic credential issued under proportional registration in compliance with the IRP requirements for temporary evidence of apportioned registration.