April 21, 2008 — For Immediate Release

Motorcycle license plate number configuration changing

OLYMPIA — The Department of Licensing (DOL) will soon change the configuration of numbers on general issue motorcycle license plates.

Motorcycle license plate numbers are currently made up of six numerical digits. DOL expects to issue motorcycle license plate number 999998, the last plate that will be issued with this configuration, sometime before the end of April. The agency will then begin issuing plates with a new number configuration that includes a letter in place of the second digit.

The first of the new motorcycle plates issued will be number 0A0001. DOL projections indicate this new number configuration will supply enough new motorcycle plate numbers to last 48 to 50 years.

DOL has been issuing motorcycle plates with the current format since 1975. Prior to the current format, motorcycle plate numbers were made up of two letters followed by three numerals.

The overall appearance of the motorcycle plates will not change. They will still feature the standard mountain background currently in use.