Arizona license plate production back to normal after aluminum shortage

PHOENIX — Production for Arizona license plates has been caught up after a worldwide aluminum shortage caused a temporary interruption earlier this month.

The two-week slowdown occurred after Arizona Correctional Industries, which produces license places for the state’s Motor Vehicle Division, did not receive a scheduled delivery of aluminum in May and had none in stock for production.

MVD turned to another vendor, Intellectual Technology, Inc., on an interim basis for continued creation.

License plate production crews worked weekends and double shifts to eliminate the backlog, according to a press release from the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Two other states and other industries were affected by the aluminum shortage for license plate making, the release said.

Customers who submitted proper information prior to a vehicle’s temporary permit expiration saw their vehicle show up as valid in the MVD system during the interruption.

MVD switched to a new license plate font when normal production resumed.

The department had been considering switching the font but previously held off due to production being interrupted.

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