Washington Administrative Code

(1) What documentation does the department require to show a guardian has been appointed for a person who has been declared incompetent? The department requires a copy of the order issued from any district or superior court of competent jurisdiction.(2) How is the interest of a p…

Who releases interest in a vehicle when an owner has been declared bankrupt? The owner or the trustee appointed by the bankruptcy court has the authority to release interest in a vehicle. A copy of the court order appointing the trustee must accompany the release of interest.[Sta…

(1) What titling options are available when a vehicle owner is deceased?(a) The vehicle can be titled in the name of the estate; or(b) The vehicle ownership may be released by a personal representative and transferred into the name of a new owner; or(c) The surviving owner may tr…

Do I need to title those vehicles? A licensed vehicle dealer who acquires vehicles from an agency of the United States government may title the vehicles under "title purpose only" procedures and need attach only the original or one certified copy of the bill of sale if each appli…

When do I not need to apply for a certificate of ownership? A Washington vehicle dealer need not apply for certificate of ownership in his own name when:(1) A vehicle is acquired that is titled and the title is properly released; or(2) One vehicle dealer transfers a particular ve…

When do I need to apply for a certificate of ownership? Except as referenced in WAC 308-56A-410, a Washington dealer must apply for title in his/her own name by following all procedures set forth in these rules whenever the dealer does not have a valid certificate of ownership pr…

How does a Washington licensed vehicle dealer deliver a vehicle using a dealer temporary license plate?(1) Washington licensed vehicle dealers may deliver a vehicle that is not currently registered, or that does not have valid Washington license plates, tabs, decals, or gross wei…

(1) What is a dealer temporary license plate? For the purposes of vehicles, a dealer temporary license plate is a combination title application and temporary registration used by Washington licensed vehicle dealers when delivering a vehicle that is not currently registered, or do…

(1) What is a glider kit? A glider kit consists of a new cab, chassis, front axle, fenders and air-hose equipment designed for assembly with an existing truck or truck-tractor's rear axle(s), and power train.(2) How are glider kits described on a certificate of ownership? The fol…

(1) What constitutes an assembled vehicle? An assembled vehicle is a vehicle that has been constructed using a cab, body, or frame from two or more vehicles and has the same appearance as a vehicle that was manufactured under a specific year, make, and model by a manufacturer but…

(1) What are total loss, destroyed, salvage, and wrecked vehicles? For the purposes of this section:(a) A total loss vehicle is one whose destruction has been reported to the department as described in RCW 46.12.600 by an insurer (insurance companies and self-insurers as describe…

The following definitions apply to terms used in chapters 46.12 and 46.16A RCW and chapter 308-56A WAC:(1) "Affidavit in lieu of title" is a written declaration confirming the certificate of title is unavailable, lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated. The affidavit in lieu of titl…

(1) May I eliminate the certificate of ownership (title) on my manufactured home? You may eliminate the certificate of ownership (title) on your manufactured home provided you own or are purchasing the manufactured home and the land to which it is affixed as defined in RCW 65.20.…

(1) Who must file a vehicle seller's report of sale? With the exception of certain vehicle transfers by registered Washington vehicle dealers, and vehicles disposed of by licensed vehicle wreckers, Washington law (RCW 46.12.101) requires filing a vehicle seller's report of sale b…

(1) What is a brand? For the purposes of this section a brand is a notation on the certificate of ownership or vehicle registration certificate that records a special circumstance or condition involving a vehicle.(2) What brands are assigned to vehicles by the department? Brands …

(1) When is an odometer disclosure statement required? An odometer disclosure statement is required on all transfers of ownership as required by RCW 46.12.124 and Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), unless specifically exempted.(2) What odometer disclosure state…

The following definitions apply to the terminology used in this chapter:(1) "RTA excise tax schedule" means the value depreciation table described in RCW 82.44.041(1) for use in the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority area.(2) "Fleet" means any person with five or more…

All trailers and all vehicles where MSRP is not available are taxed according to the most recent purchase price and purchase year and the depreciation rates in the RTA excise tax fee schedule. All other vehicles as noted on the first MSRP, the year of service or value year are ta…

All new or unused vehicles modified by a licensed manufacturer, shall be taxed according to the MSRP provided by the modifying manufacturer plus the cost involved in converting the vehicle. Modified vehicles include, but are not limited to, vans, pickups, utility vehicles and lim…

If there is no value code for a model year 1985 or older model vehicle and there is no MSRP information available for a model year 1986 or newer model vehicle, the owner may be required to provide a certified declaration of original value and supporting documentation to be used a…

Vehicles with the following use classes are assessed RTA excise tax as defined in RCW 81.104.160:CAB (taxicab)COM (commercial) (if powered and the scale weight is six thousand pounds or less)CYC (motorcycle)F/H (for hire) (if six or fewer seats or if more than six seats and the s…

The following vehicles are exempt from RTA excise taxes imposed in chapter 81.104 RCW:(1) Vehicles with tax code 95 (vehicles taxed as personal property, such as mobile homes);(2) Vehicles with the following use classes:C/G (converter gear),CMB (combination),CMP (campers),COM (co…

RTA excise taxes are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. WSR 01-12-099, § 308-57-210, filed 6/6/01, effective 7/7/01; WSR 97-12-015, § 308-57-210, filed 5/28/97, effective 6/28/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110 and 43.17.060. WSR 91-04-02…

A fleet vehicle, which is required to have a December registration expiration date, will be charged RTA excise tax based on the current depreciation rate for the number of months required to license through December 31 of the current year. If the number of months to December 31 i…

With department approval, the owner of a nonfleet vehicle may change the vehicle's registration expiration date. The owner will be assessed RTA excise tax based on the current depreciation rate for the number of months from the current expiration to the requested expiration date.…

All owners of qualified vehicles may be charged a transportation benefit district vehicle fee in accordance with RCW 82.80.140 with reference to vehicles registered under RCW 46.16.0621 and 46.16.070.[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. WSR 09-24-039, § 308-59-505, filed 11/24/09…

The following vehicles are exempt from transportation benefit district vehicle fees imposed under chapter 82.80 RCW:(1) Vehicles with tax code 95 (vehicles taxed as personal property, such as mobile homes);(2) Vehicles with the following use classes:(a) C/G (converter gear);(b) C…

(1) "Affidavit of sale" - that document prescribed by the department and given to the successful bidder by the operator. The affidavit must state that the sale was conducted properly pursuant to chapter 46.55 RCW and must be notarized. The affidavit may be submitted to the depart…

What information must be included in an application for registration of a tow truck operator? The application for registration of a tow truck operator must include:(1) A statement as to whether the applicant has previously been registered as such, and if so, the previous registra…

(1) Staggered licensing - the annual registration issued to tow truck operators shall expire on the date indicated by the director.(2) Additional secure areas for vehicle storage - additional storage locations may be operated under one registration. No additional bond or insuranc…

How must a registered tow truck operator identify its vehicles?(1) All tow vehicles to be used in the operator's business which are operated on the public highways, must display the licensee's operator number plus the truck number, name, city of address and current business telep…

What business hours must a registered tow truck operator maintain?(1) Business hours, for purposes of inspection of business records, place of business or towing equipment, must be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for weekends and holidays. Normal business hours must be posted at th…

(1) The properly executed written authority to tow or other evidence of lawful possession will take the place of current license plates or trip permits for unauthorized or abandoned vehicles.(2) Billing invoices must indicate the time of day when an unauthorized or abandoned vehi…

How is the posting of signs on private and public property handled?(1) Signs must measure at least 15" by 24" and the lettering thereon must be clearly visible to all who park.(2) Signs for publicly owned or controlled parking facilities need to disclose that unauthorized vehicle…

How must the registered tow truck operator handle stored vehicles?(1) Handling and returning vehicles in substantially the same condition means that vehicles are to be handled with care so that their value is not diminished. The operator must not remove parts or equipment which a…

What should the registered tow truck operator do when a court hearing has been requested?(1) Where a timely request has been made for a district or municipal court hearing and where the vehicle owner has failed to redeem the vehicle, the abandoned vehicle procedural requirements …

How should a registered tow truck operator properly identify a vehicle in its custody and prepare for a vehicle auction?(1) For purposes of advertising the sale of abandoned vehicles the vehicle identification number must be used if no license plates are on the vehicle.(2) If a v…

What charges are proper for the registered tow truck operator to include in the towing and storage lien?(1) No operator shall include any charges in the amount of the lien that are not specifically authorized. Subordinate charges such as mechanic fees or prior storage fees claime…

What documentation follows the abandoned vehicle auction and who may claim surplus auction funds?(1) Following the auction of an abandoned vehicle the operator must give to the successful bidder an affidavit of sale, as defined, which must disclose the amount of the lien and the …

(1) What are the criteria for an abandoned recreational vehicle to be eligible for reimbursement? The vehicle must be towed, stored, and/or dismantled according to existing statute.(2) What vehicle information must be provided to the department upon request for reimbursement? All…

(1) What is the application process?(a) All vehicles must first be handled through the abandoned vehicle process with an abandoned vehicle report (AVR) submitted to the department, or through the junk vehicle affidavit process.(b) The requestor will make the request through depar…

(1) When will the reimbursement happen? The abandoned RV program manager will process all reimbursement by the fifth business day of the month following the month that the reimbursement was received on vehicles that have met all criteria for eligibility.(2) How/when will I get no…

What if funds are received through collection efforts after receiving reimbursement from the department? Any funds received by the registered tow truck operator, wrecker, vehicle scrap, or scrap metal business as a result of collection activities shall be turned over to the depar…

At what rates will reimbursements be made?(1) The costs will be reimbursed at a standardized scheduled rate:ItemStandard RateCapTowing and Transport (Increment per Hour - Maximum Four Hours Total for Identified RV Length)Towing up to 29'$150.00/hr.$600.00Towing 30' and Over$220.0…

(1) Department - means the department of licensing of the state of Washington.(2) Director - Means the director of the department of licensing.(3) Destroy - Means the dismantling, disassembling or wrecking of a vehicle with the intent of never again operating such as a vehicle, o…

May I acquire a vehicle on a bill of sale?(1) Bill of sale for acquiring vehicles. A bill of sale must include the names and addresses of the seller and purchaser; a description of the vehicle being purchased, including the make, model and identification or serial number; the dat…

What is a vehicle wrecker place of business? A vehicle wrecker's established place of business is a building or enclosure which the owner occupies either continuously or at regular intervals; and where the business books and records are kept available for inspection during normal…

How must I apply for a vehicle wrecker license? An original or renewal application for a wrecker license must be filed with the director on the form provided by the department for this purpose. The application must be endorsed by the chief of police of any city with a population …

When does my vehicle wrecker license expire? (1) A vehicle wrecker's license will expire twelve consecutive months from the date of issuance.(2) Vehicle wrecker license plates will expire on the same date as the expiration of the license.[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.80.140. WSR 0…

How do I use the special vehicle wrecker license plates? All vehicles used for towing or transporting vehicles or vehicle parts by a vehicle wrecker on the highways of this state in the conduct of the business must bear regular license plates and, in addition, special wrecker's p…