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.  Temporary permits 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, DOL, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by DOL.  DOL, a county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed 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 and be able to be plainly seen and read and be attached four 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 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 vehicles registration reciprocity among states and Canadian provinces.  It also 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.

The temporary permit is changed to a temporary license plate.  The temporary license plate must be displayed as is required for a permanent license plate, and must be composed of durable material and remain unaltered in field conditions for a minimum of four months.  The temporary license plate must remain on the vehicle until receipt of permanent license plates.  DOL is given authority to adopt rules for the design and display of temporary 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.

PRO:  The bill is in part about coming into compliance with our own laws.  Current law requires plates to be visible at all times, and the temporary permits are not.  By converting to a temporary plates system that is readable by law enforcement and the public, this will increase public safety.  By allowing the driver to be identified, this will also cause better driver behavior.  The requirement to have the new temporary plate will increase toll collections by $3 million per year. 

As just one example of what this bill is intended to address, many years ago I was involved in an accident with a person using a fraudulent temporary permit.  This bill will help address this and other kinds of fraudulent activities.  While there will be a projected increase in paper costs, the new plate paper will be compatible with current printers at department, auditor, subagent and auto dealer offices.