Washington Administrative Code

What if the business structure or ownership changes?Any person, firm, association, limited liability company (L.L.C.), corporation or trust registered as a dealer must, within ten days following any change in its business or ownership structure, file with the department a stateme…

(1) The deposit trust account required by RCW 88.02.220 must be established and maintained within Washington state.(2) The dealer's separate trust account cannot accrue interest.(3) Any fees assessed by the depository against the trust account shall not be paid from purchasers tr…

How do I handle consignment sales?(1) All funds received from purchasers, including deposits, payments, or proceeds from the sale of trade-in vessels on a consignment sale, shall be placed in the vessel dealers trust account as required in RCW 88.02.220, and those funds shall rem…

How would I handle the trust account relative to listed vessels?(1) All funds received from purchasers, including deposits, payments, or proceeds from the sale of trade-in vessels on a listing sale shall be placed in the vessel dealer's trust account as required by RCW 88.02.220,…

How must I handle the title in a retail sale?(1) The vessel dealer is required to make application for title in the purchaser's name within thirty days following the retail sale of the vessel.(2) The vessel dealer or the dealer's authorized agent shall sign or type their firm nam…

How can I be exempt from the requirement for a surety bond?(1) Applicants or registered vessel dealers desiring to be exempt from the bonding requirement must provide a statement to the department that they sell fifteen or fewer vessels per year none of which has a retail value o…

The definitions set forth below, and in chapters 46.04, 46.85, and 46.87 RCW, apply throughout this chapter.For the purpose of this code, the terms "apportioned," "proration," "prorate," "International Registration Plan (IRP)," and "proportional registration" are synonymous.(1) "…

(1) Can carriers separate their apportionable vehicles into more than one fleet? Yes, carriers may separate their apportionable vehicles into two or more fleets.(2) How must I display my cab card? The original paper cab card, a legible paper copy, or a legible electronic image mu…

(1) How do I apply for proportional registration? Application for proportional registration must be submitted to the Motor Carrier Section by mail, fax or online via Taxpayer Access Point (TAP). Incomplete applications may be returned.(2) What titling/registration options are ava…

An owner must preserve the records on which the owner's application for apportioned registration is based for a period of three years following the close of the registration year. These records shall be complete and shall include, but not be limited to, the following: Copies of p…

(1) How does the preceding year mileage relate to the application Schedule B? The Schedule B application is used to list all actual miles traveled by all apportioned vehicles licensed with the fleet during the reporting period.(2) How are the miles listed on the Schedule B used? …

How are leased or rented vehicles registered? The registration of leased or rental passenger vehicles will be conducted under the provisions of chapter 46.16A RCW.[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110 and 46.87.010. WSR 16-03-071, § 308-91-090, filed 1/19/16, effective 2/19/16. Sta…

What are the requirements for trip leasing? The requirements for trip leasing are as follows:(1) The lessor's vehicles must be prorated in this state or operated under authority of vehicle trip permits.(2) The duration of the lease agreement is for a single trip and cannot exceed…

(1) Who must show proof of payment of federal heavy vehicle use tax? The department requires owners of motor vehicles with a declared combined gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more to provide acceptable proof the federal heavy vehicle use tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Servi…

(1) What is a hunter's permit also known as an unladen weight permit? A permit issued by the department that allows owner-operators to move their empty (unladen) vehicle(s) from one lessee-carrier fleet to a new lessee-carrier fleet. This permit is issued without cost and is vali…

How much is the vehicle transaction fee? The vehicle transaction fee is four dollars and fifty cents.[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.87.010. WSR 00-01-150, § 308-91-140, filed 12/21/99, effective 1/21/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.87.080, 46.87.130, 46.87.140, 88.44.060 [82.44.060…

(1) What happens with a dishonored check? The department will enforce such proportional registration licensing and taxing laws to recover unpaid fees when they become due and payable.(2) Are there any additional fees charged for a dishonored check (DHC)? Yes, a handling fee is as…

(1) Under what circumstances may a fee, penalty or interest be mitigated? The department may mitigate fees, penalties or interest occurring from proportional registration transactions, assessments, or incomplete records.(2) How will the department determine whether fees, penaltie…

(1) What are the appeal procedures? Any person issued a notice of assessment for taxes, fees, penalties or interest who chooses to appeal the notice, may petition the department for a department review instead of proceeding directly to a formal hearing. A petition for a review mu…

The following definitions apply to the rules in this chapter:(1) "Bare boat" means a vessel rented without a captain or crew.(2) "Carpenter certificate" means a certificate issued by a manufacturer describing the vessel and certifying the first conveyance of the vessel after its …

(1) What vessels are subject to excise tax? All vessels sixteen feet and over with mechanical power or sails are subject to excise tax unless specifically exempt under chapter 82.49 RCW and vessels owned by Indian tribes and tribal members as provided in WAC 308-93-700 through 30…

(1) What must I provide to obtain a nonresident vessel permit? You must provide the following:(a) Proof of nonresidency by showing the vessel owner's out-of-state driver's license or out-of-state photo identification; and(b) A copy of the current foreign vessel registration or cu…

(1) What must I provide to obtain a vessel visitor permit? You must provide the following:(a) Proof of nonresidency, by showing the vessel owner's out-of-state driver's license or out-of-state photo identification; (b) A copy of the current foreign vessel registration, or United …

(1) What is the length of a vessel registration period? The vessel registration period is July 1 of the current year through June 30 of the following year for purposes of RCW 88.02.050.Any vessels registered for the first time in Washington will be assessed the registration fee f…

(1) What documentation must accompany my application for certificate of ownership for my vessel? Vessel owners must submit with their application for certificate of ownership all proper fees and excise tax and the following documentation:(a) New vessels:(i) Application for certif…

(1) When am I required to register my vessel in Washington? Current out-of-state or out-of-country registration will be recognized for a period of sixty days. On or before the sixty-first day, if Washington is to be the principal state of use, you must apply for a Washington stat…

Is there more than one class of certificate of ownership for my vessel? From June 30, 1985, through June 30, 1990, there were two classes of vessel certificate of ownership: Class "A" and Class "B."Effective July 1, 1990, the "A" and "B" classifications of vessel certificate of o…

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

May a vessel be operated on the waters of this state if it is not registered? An unregistered vessel may be operated on the waters of this state for fifteen consecutive days from the date of purchase using the notarized bill of sale in lieu of a registration certificate. The nota…

(1) If a government agency chooses to display registration numbers and current vessel decals in addition to being clearly identifiable as a government vessel, what fees are required? Government agencies are required to pay filing and registration fees but are not subject to excis…

(1) Laws protecting vessel owner information from disclosure.Vessel record information may be protected from disclosure under chapters 42.56 and 46.12 RCW, and 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2721. Indian tribal vessel data is protected from disclosure under WAC 308-93-770.(2) Disclosing names an…

(1) What are violations of chapters 42.56 and 46.12 RCW, this chapter, or a disclosure agreement with the department?(a) The unauthorized disclosure of information from a department vessel record;(b) The use of a false representation to obtain information from the department's ve…

(1) What vessel record information is protected?Vessel information protected from disclosure is the same as under chapters 42.56 and 46.12 RCW and Executive Order 00-03 for vehicles.(2) Who may receive a list of individual vessel owner names and addresses?In addition to any other…

(1) What is the difference between leased and rented vessels? For the purposes of this section a vessel is considered leased if the lease agreement is for a period of one year or more or there is an option to purchase. A vessel is considered rented if the rental agreement is for …

(1) Where do I place the decals I receive when I register my vessel in Washington? Decals must be placed on the vessel for which they were assigned. Decals must be affixed on (see illustration):(a) Each side of the forward half of the vessel above the water line so it is easily v…

(1) What vessels are required to display a vessel registration number? All vessels registered under chapter 88.02 RCW are required to display the vessel registration numbers. Vessels documented by the United States Coast Guard are prohibited from displaying the registration numbe…

(1) What is a carbon monoxide warning sticker? A carbon monoxide warning sticker is displayed on a vessel to warn people of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.(2) What vessels are required to have a carbon monoxide warning sticker? Any vessel with an engine that produces ca…

(1) What definitions does the department apply to this section? For purposes of this rule, the following words and terms have the following meanings:(a) "Indian country" means all lands, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, within the exterior boundaries set aside by the U…

(1) Who may repossess a vessel? A Washington titled vessel may only be repossessed by the legal owner of record or secured party.(2) What documentation does the department require when a vessel is repossessed? In addition to other documents required:(a) The most recent certificat…

(1) Can the department refuse to issue a certificate of ownership or registration? Yes, if the department determines at any time that an applicant for certificate of ownership or registration for a vessel is not entitled to these certificates, the department may refuse to issue s…

(1) How is the security interest in a vessel perfected?A security interest in a vessel is perfected when the requirements similar to RCW 46.12.095 for vehicles is followed. Security interest in a vessel (other than one held as inventory by a manufacturer or a dealer and for which…

(1) What are undercover and confidential vessel registrations? They are vessel registrations and decals assigned only to vessels owned or operated by government agencies as identified in RCW 88.02.035.(2) When is an undercover or confidential vessel registration issued? An underc…

(1) Who may represent a government agency regarding undercover or confidential vessel registrations? The government agency head may designate a maximum of two agency employees to represent the agency regarding undercover/confidential registration. The government agency head must …

(1) How does the department maintain a current inventory listing of vessels with undercover or confidential registrations?(a) The department provides an inventory list of vessels, scheduled to be renewed within the next quarter, to each agency participating in the undercover/conf…

(1) Who may cancel undercover or confidential vessel registrations? Undercover or confidential vessel registrations may be canceled in one of two ways:(a) The department may cancel or refuse to renew undercover or confidential vessel registrations when the department has reasonab…

May I appeal the department's decision to refuse to issue a registration or certificate of ownership or suspend or cancel a registration or certificate of ownership?Yes. The suspension, cancellation, or refusal by the department of any registration or certificate of title provide…

What are the options for disposing of an abandoned vessel?An abandoned vessel may be disposed of in several ways, depending upon where it is abandoned.(1) Vessel abandoned adrift.The watercraft adrift laws (chapter 79A.60 RCW) provide details for disposing of vessels abandoned on…

(1) Who must file a vessel seller's report of sale? With the exception of certain vessel transfers by registered Washington vessel dealers, Washington law (RCW 88.02.070 and 46.12.101) requires filing of a vessel seller's report of sale by any person or business that transfers th…

(1) Is a hull identification number required to use a vessel on the waters of Washington state?Yes. A hull identification number is required on any vessel that is used on the waters of this state unless application for hull identification number has been made and issuance of the …

(1) How is the length of my vessel calculated? The overall length of a vessel provided by the owner on application for certificate of ownership must be rounded down to the nearest whole foot. Vessel measurement must be from the tip of the bow to the stern of the vessel down the c…