Ticketed drivers getting reprieve

Drivers who received violation tickets in Denver for expired license plates and registrations last week, and there were almost 3,000 of you, can breathe a bit easier. The citations are void and a grace period is again in play.

On Feb. 1, Denver began writing tickets, after a grace period ended Jan. 31, because of a reissuance backlog caused by Denver Motor Vehicle offices closing because of the pandemic, said Nancy Kuhn, a Department of Transportation and Infrastructure spokeswoman, in an email. In three days, 2,933 citations were issued.

In mid-January, state officials contacted Denver’s DMV about a a backlog in the manufacture of license plates and registration products and advised continued discretion in enforcing expirations, Kuhn said.

Last week, DOTI officials met with Denver police and motor vehicle partners and agreed to void the citations and suspend enforcement of expired plates, including temporary plates, and registrations through Feb. 28, at which time the situation will be reassessed.

Denver motor vehicle offices reopened Jan. 5 and Denver residents do have the following expiration remedies:

• Denver DMV has standard-issue green and white license plates in stock.

• Denver DMV also has stickers in stock for annual renewals.

• A temporary tag can be extended through the Denver DMV.

If a Denver driver has ordered a specialty/vanity plate, which are manufactured by the state corrections system and are backlogged because of COVID-19 safety concerns, Denver DMV can issue a standard plate. The $25 fee to benefit an organization on the plate, however, will not be refunded by Denver DMV.