Computer glitch causes duplicate license plates

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A computer glitch at the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office has resulted in duplicate temporary license plates being issued across the state.

It’s estimated that 1,400 motorists have been impacted.

The 30-day plates were issued on Monday.

A Secretary of State worker had to reboot a computer which caused the glitch. Since then, the office saves it’s system every hour instead of daily.

Those that were issued the temporary plates can keep them on their vehicle because the plates will expire on July 7.

The Indiana Secretary of State’s Office issued this memo and sent it to Indiana State Police and local police departments across the state:

ATTENTION: all law enforcement personnel

Subject: Auto Dealer Interim (Temporary) vehicle plates

Due to a system issue, Auto Dealer Interim (Temporary) vehicle plates issued on 20150608 may have been duplicated.  Due to this, queries of the plates may return to multiple vehicles.  The plates impacted are in the range of e64900 to e765605.

When a query of the plate is made both vins associated with the plate will return in a multi-line response.  Officers will need to match the physical vin on the vehicle to one of the vins on the return.

Currently the customers issued these plates are not aware of the issue.  The secretary of state’s office and the bureau of motor vehicles are working to correct this issue.

If you have questions you can call the Indiana Secretary of State – Auto Dealer Services Division at 317 234-7190 during business hours.

Despite the memo, some question if it’s enough.

“I think it’s scary, what if there is a hit-and-run driver and some bystander writes your license plate number down that matches with you,” said Keeley Fry, a driver.

24-Hour News 8 has been told that despite the mix up the plates, are still valid. The issue should be cleared up after July 7 when those drivers are forced to get permanent plates.