Local drivers may have to make alternative arrangements to have their plates renewed and pay their vehicle taxes during the month of June.

The N.C. License Plate Agency located at 127 N. Market St. in Washington will close permanently as of 5 p.m. May 31, and may be closed for more than a month, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.

“The Washington License Plate Agency will close on May 31 until a new contractor and their staff have successfully completed the training process,” N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles Communications officer John Brockwell wrote in an email. “We estimate the reopening of the agency sometime in July.”

In the meantime, drivers who need to get their plates renewed in June will have to travel to Plymouth, Greenville or Williamston for face-to-face services.

“Online services are also available at MyNCDMV.gov,” Brockwell wrote. “Customers can renew registrations online.”

In December, the N.C. DOT issued a press release seeking applications from parties interested in operating the license plate agency for Beaufort County. According to the release, the DOT does not open applications until the current contract is expired.

As of Tuesday, the DOT has not provided information about who will provide the services or where the new office will be located. The building on Market Street that currently houses the license plate agency is listed for sale with Century 21 The Realty Group.

The current contract holders have been providing license plate and registration services in Beaufort County for 37 years, since January 1982.