Shortage of aluminium causes delay in the shipment of license plates in some Nebraska counties

Due to the nationwide shortage of aluminium, Betty Johnson, one of the administrators of Nebraska's Driver and Vehicles Records Division, stated that they could not distribute all of the new licence plates to some counties in Nebraska before the expiry of the old plates. As a result, the long-time owner of the license plate number A319 (and the country designation) discovered that his number needed to be listed in the stock.

Not only this, but due to the scarcity of aluminium, 13 counties, including Adams, Buffalo, Cass, Dawson, Dodge, Gage, Hall, Lincoln, Madison, Platte, Saunders, Scotts Bluff, and Washington, are receiving their plates in four shipments throughout the year. As a result, specific drivers in the 13 counties may experience double vision due to production and delivery delays. The exact number on a fresh plate may be seen by someone driving an A319 from 2017 that is due to expire in November.

In Nebraska, a fresh cycle for issuing licence plates began this year. The new plate initially unveiled in May 2022, has a mosaic floor mosaic as its background that is situated close to the Capitol Rotunda.

Before a new issue, the rural counties usually receive a full year's worth of plates, allowing drivers to preserve their current licence plate number. According to Johnson, there is plenty of licence plates in any county. Still, the diminished supply means less flexibility, and the plate number you want might not be available.

"For a short period of time in these counties, there could be two identical plates on the road," added Johnson.

Additionally, because there is much less supply, the treasurers in such counties cannot withhold plate numbers from clients who urgently want new plates. In the month when their existing motor vehicle registration expires, drivers receive their new licence plates.