Washington Administrative Code

(1) Who is eligible to receive Pearl Harbor survivor license plates? Pearl Harbor survivor license plates may be issued to qualified applicants as authorized in RCW 46.18.270.(2) What documentation does a Pearl Harbor survivor or surviving spouse need to submit to obtain Pearl Ha…

(1) Under what authority does the department issue Purple Heart license plates? RCW 46.18.280 authorizes the department to issue Purple Heart license plates.(2) Who may receive Purple Heart license plates? Any Washington resident who:(a) Has been awarded a Purple Heart medal by a…

(1) Are foreign organization special license plates transferable? Yes, they are transferable to another motor vehicle owned or leased by the representative of the foreign organization; however, the special license plates may not be transferred to anyone else.(2) How are foreign o…

(1) What is a personalized license plate? Personalized license plates are plates reflecting the registered owner's chosen format or designation and are limited to those described in RCW 46.04.385 and 46.18.275.(2) Are there any restrictions on the use of letters and numbers on pe…

(1) Who may apply for amateur radio operator vehicle special license plate(s)? Any person having a valid amateur radio operator's license may apply to the department for license plates bearing the official amateur radio call letters assigned by the Federal Communications Commissi…

(1) Who may apply for the military affiliate radio system station special license plates? Any person having a valid military affiliate radio system (MARS) station license may apply to the department for license plates bearing the official MARS call letters assigned by the Departm…

(1) Who may apply for square dancer license plates? A registered owner of a vehicle may apply to the department and receive, in lieu of regular vehicle license plates, special square dancer license plates bearing a symbol of square dancers.(2) What vehicles may display square dan…

(1) What is a horseless carriage license plate? A horseless carriage license plate is a single license plate issued to a qualified motor vehicle owned by a collector as defined in RCW 46.04.125. It must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle for which it was issued.(2) What vehi…

(1) What is a collector vehicle license plate? For the purposes of this section, a collector vehicle license plate is a special license plate indicating "Collector Vehicle." The smaller size collector vehicle license plate is available for motorcycles and travel trailers. Collect…

(1) When ownership of a vehicle issued a law enforcement memorial license plate(s) changes, what happens to the plate(s)? The special license plate owner may relinquish the plate(s) to the new vehicle owner or remove the plate(s) from the vehicle for transfer to a replacement veh…

(1) Who may apply for the volunteer firefighters license plate(s)? Any person that:• Meets the requirements and has proven eligibility as per RCW 46.18.210;• Is not requesting issue for a vehicle registered under chapter 46.87 RCW;• Has paid all applicable fees and taxes.The volu…

(1) Who may apply for the professional firefighters and paramedics (PFFP) license plate(s)? Only members of the Washington state council of firefighters who are indicated on the vehicle record as a registered or coregistered owner of a vehicle may apply. The professional firefigh…

(1) When ownership of a vehicle issued "Helping Kids Speak license plate(s)" is sold, traded, or otherwise transferred, what happens to the plate(s)? The special license plate owner may relinquish the plate(s) to the new vehicle owner or remove the plate(s) from the vehicle for t…

(1) What are undercover and confidential license plates? They are standard issue license plates assigned only to vehicles owned or operated by government agencies as identified in RCW 46.08.066. These vehicles include, but are not limited to, off road vehicles, trailers, and snow…

(1) Who may represent a government agency regarding undercover or confidential license plates? The government agency head may designate a maximum of two designees to represent the agency regarding undercover or confidential license plates. The government agency head must provide …

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

(1) Who may cancel undercover or confidential license plates? Undercover or confidential license plates may be canceled one of two ways:(a) The department may cancel or refuse to renew undercover or confidential license plates when the department has reasonable cause to believe t…

(1) What is required when registering a vehicle in Washington?(a) The name of each registered owner (natural person or business) of the vehicle and, if the vehicle is subject to a lien or other security interest, the name of each secured party;(b) The registered owner's primary r…

(1) What license plates are required to be surrendered? Only license plates authorized under RCW 46.16.301, 46.16.280, 46.16.305, and 46.16.595 and dealer/manufacturer plates are required to be surrendered under chapter 308-66 WAC. Wreckers and scrap processors, hulk haulers must…

(1) Why does the department assign use classes to vehicles?The department assigns use classes to:(a) Charge the proper license fees and taxes for vehicles;(b) Assign special brands on subsequent owner's certificate of ownership;(c) Apply certain restrictions on the use of the veh…

(1) The department requires vehicle scale weight for:(a) Vehicles licensed under RCW 46.16.070, 46.16.090, and 46.16.0621;(b) Trailers;(c) The vehicle is powered by propane, natural gas or butane;(d) The vehicle has been structurally modified changing the scale weight.(2) Determi…

When may a vehicle be licensed as a private carrier bus?A vehicle may be licensed as a private carrier bus as described in RCW 46.04.416 without a license based on gross weight if it carries passengers without compensation and is:(1) Used by a hotel, resort or lodge to transport …

What is a fixed load vehicle?A fixed load vehicle is specified in RCW 46.16.070 and described in WAC 308-96A-099.[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. WSR 01-12-099, § 308-96A-135, filed 6/6/01, effective 7/7/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.16.276, 43.17.060, 46.16.600 and 46.01.1…

(1) Will the department issue a license plate for my moped?The department will issue a motorcycle series license plate for your moped when you make proper application.The number on the license plate serves as the moped's registration number as required in RCW 46.16A.405.(2) How d…

(1) The definitions in this section are created for the purposes of assessing licensing fees in section 23, chapter 287, Laws of 2019.(a) "Clean alternative fuel" means electricity, dimethyl ether, hydrogen, methane, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, or …

(1) Do I have to license my neighborhood or medium speed electric vehicle to drive on the road?Yes, you must license your vehicle to obtain a registration certificate. The registration certificate will indicate that your vehicle is a neighborhood or medium speed electric vehicle.…

(1) What is a cab and chassis?A cab and chassis is an incomplete truck shipped from the manufacturer. The customer chooses the type of bed to be installed.(2) Will the department issue a certificate of ownership for my cab and chassis?Yes. However, because the cab and chassis is …

(1) What is the purpose of the fleet program? The purpose of the fleet program is to provide a process for business and individual registered owners to have the same expiration date for all of their vehicles and to receive a single billing notice.(2) What types of fleet programs …

(1) When may the department issue a ride share special license plate? Ride share special license plates may be issued when:The passenger motor vehicle is primarily used as a commute ride-sharing motor vehicle defined in RCW 46.74.010(1). The vehicle owner may be issued special ri…

(1) Who may request application for special transportation needs for ride-share vehicles? Private, nonprofit transportation providers furnishing ride share for persons with special transportation needs under chapter 81.66 RCW may be issued special ride-share license plates under …

(1) What is a rental vehicle?A rental vehicle is defined in RCW 46.04.465.(2) Who registers a rental vehicle?Any Washington vehicle licensing office registers rental vehicles.(3) How will I register my rental vehicles?Annual renewal of rental vehicle registration may be processed…

(1) What is the gross weight expiration date if I purchase twelve thousand pounds or less?The gross weight license expiration date is the same as the registration expiration date. Gross weight fees are paid for the same number of months as the registration.(2) What would the gros…

(1) What determines if I pay the higher gross weight fees?If the declared gross weight of the power unit exceeds forty thousand pounds AND the power unit will be towing a trailer, the power unit must be licensed with a combination (CMB) or farm combination (FCB) use class. This r…

(1) Do I have an option of purchasing a permanent registration for my trailer to offset the higher fees on my power unit?Yes, if the power unit towing the trailer is properly licensed to tow a trailer with a permanent registration.(2) How does the power unit need to be licensed t…

(1) If my gross weight is insufficient, am I required to increase it? Yes, you are required to maintain sufficient gross weight to cover the weight of the vehicle and its load up to the legal weight limit of your vehicle. Any amount above the legal limit of the gross vehicle weig…

(1) May I decrease the declared gross weight on my vehicle?Yes. If you decrease the declared gross weight, you must surrender the current gross weight license.(2) When may I decrease the declared gross weight on my vehicle? Any time during the registration year. However, decreasi…

(1) When would I need to change my vehicle registration from a farm use class to a nonfarm use class?You need to change your vehicle registration from a farm to nonfarm use class when the vehicle is no longer being used solely for farm purposes as defined in RCW 46.16.090.(2) Wha…

(1) When may I change my vehicle registration from a nonfarm use class to a farm use class?You may change your vehicle registration from a nonfarm to farm use class when the vehicle is being used solely for farm purposes as defined in RCW 46.16.090.(2) When is the best time to ch…

(1) Is a gross weight license transferable to a new owner at the time of transfer of ownership?Only for a gross weight license of fourteen thousand pounds or more. If the seller has signed off the gross weight license, the gross weight license of fourteen thousand pounds or more …

(1) May I transfer a gross weight license to a replacement vehicle? Yes, the gross weight license on a truck, tractor, or truck tractor may be transferred to a replacement vehicle.(2) What qualifies as a replacement vehicle? A replacement vehicle is a truck, tractor, or truck tra…

How are registration years assigned?Vehicles licensed for the first time in this state will have expiration dates assigned under RCW 46.16A.020 except as follows:(1) Fleet vehicles will have a registration year ending December 31. A full month's fees are charged for any partial m…

(1) When do fleet vehicle registrations expire? Fleet vehicle registrations expire December 31 annually.(2) How does the department adjust registration fees to assign a December 31 registration expiration date for a fleet vehicle?(a) When you add an unlicensed vehicle to your fle…

(1) What are tabs?Tabs are decals affixed to the rear license plate as indicated on the license plate to identify the registration expiration month or year for a specific vehicle.(2) Which tabs are valid to be displayed on the vehicle license plate? Tabs depicting the current reg…

When will the assigned registration year of a vehicle be changed?(1) The department will change the registration year of a vehicle if the vehicle remains unlicensed for more than the entire assigned registration year.(2) The registered owner may request a change of registration e…

(1) How is the department notified of outstanding (unpaid) vehicle violations? The jurisdiction notifies the department of outstanding vehicle violations. The notice will include the following:(a) Jurisdiction name.(b) NCIC number/originating agency identifier (ORI)/jurisdiction …

What happens when outstanding vehicle violations are satisfied? Upon satisfaction of vehicle violations previously reported as outstanding against a vehicle, the issuing jurisdiction must:(1) Furnish the registered owner with a proof of payment form; and(2) Notify the department …

(1) Can a parking violation be reinstated on a vehicle record after it has been reported by the jurisdiction as satisfied? A parking violation previously reported as satisfied will be reinstated on the vehicle record upon:(a) Jurisdiction reporting error;(b) Dishonored check for …

(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) What license plate emblems are available? The following license plate emblems are available:(a) Veteran's remembrance emblems with the words "U.S. veteran";(b) Military service award emblems in RCW 46.18.295;(c) Distinguished Flying Cross.(2) Who may purchase license plate em…

(1) What is a Gold Star license plate? The Gold Star license plate recognizes the eligible family members of United States armed forces members who have died while in service to their country or as a result of such service.(2) Who qualifies as an eligible family member of a membe…