Title 46, MOTOR VEHICLES

"Motor homes" means motor vehicles originally designed, reconstructed, or permanently altered to provide facilities for human habitation, which include lodging and cooking or sewage disposal, and is enclosed within a solid body shell with the vehicle, but excludes a camper or lik…

"Motor truck" means any motor vehicle designed or used for the transportation of commodities, merchandise, produce, freight, or animals. [ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.310. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 32; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 6312-1, part; 1923 c 1…

(1) "Motor vehicle" means a vehicle that is self-propelled or a vehicle that is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires but not operated upon rails. (2) "Motor vehicle" includes: (a) A neighborhood electric vehicle as defined in RCW 46.04.357; (b) A mediu…

"Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels, not including any stabilizing conversion kits, on which the driver: (1) Rides on a seat or saddle and the motor vehicle is designed to be steered with a handlebar; or (2) Rides on a seat in a par…

"Motor-driven cycle" means every motorcycle, including every motor scooter, with a motor that produces not to exceed five brake horsepower (developed by a prime mover, as measured by a brake applied to the driving shaft). A motor-driven cycle does not include a moped, a power whe…

"Motorized foot scooter" means a device with two or three wheels that has handlebars, a floorboard that can be stood upon while riding, and is powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor that has a maximum speed of no greater than twenty miles per hour on level gro…

"Mount St. Helens license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display an image of Mount St. Helens. [ 2025 c 385 s 12.] Notes: Effective date—2025 c 385 ss 3-24: See note following RCW 44.04.300. Short title—2025 c 385: See note following RCW 46.1…

"Muffler" means a device consisting of a series of chambers, or other mechanical designs for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine and effective in reducing noise resulting therefrom. [ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.340. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 35; prior: 1937 c …

"Multiple lane highway" means any highway the roadway of which is of sufficient width to reasonably accommodate two or more separate lanes of vehicular traffic in the same direction, each lane of which shall be not less than the maximum legal vehicle width and whether or not such…

Municipal transit vehicle includes every motor vehicle, streetcar, train, trolley vehicle, and any other device, which (1) is capable of being moved within, upon, above, or below a public highway, (2) is owned or operated by a city, county, county transportation authority, public…

"Music Matters license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display the "Music Matters" logo. [ 2011 c 229 s 2.] Notes: Effective date—2011 c 229: See note following RCW 46.18.200.

"Natural person" means a human being. [ 2010 c 161 s 125.] Notes: Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.

"Nautical Northwest license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a Northwest maritime scene. [ 2025 c 385 s 13.] Notes: Effective date—2025 c 385 ss 3-24: See note following RCW 44.04.300. Short title—2025 c 385: See note following RCW 46.1…

"Neighborhood electric vehicle" means a self-propelled, electrically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle whose speed attainable in one mile is more than twenty miles per hour and not more than twenty-five miles per hour and conforms to federal regulations under Title 49 C.F.R. Par…

"New motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle that (1) is self-propelled and is required to be registered and titled under this title, (2) has not been previously titled to a retail purchaser or lessee, and (3) is not a used vehicle as defined under RCW 46.04.660. [ 2010 c 161 s 12…

"Nonresident" means any person whose residence is outside this state and who is temporarily sojourning within this state. [ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.360. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 37; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 6312-1, part. (ii) 1937 c 189 s 1, pa…

"Off-road motorcycle" means a motorcycle as defined in RCW 46.04.330 that is labeled by the manufacturer's statement or certificate of origin as intended for "off-road use only" or a similar message stamped into the frame of the motorcycle, contained in the owner's manual, or aff…

"Off-road vehicle" or "ORV" means a nonstreet registered vehicle when used for recreational purposes on nonhighway roads, trails, or a variety of other natural terrain. "Off-road vehicle" or "ORV" includes, but is not limited to, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, four-wheel driv…

"Off-street facility" means a location typically held open for use by the public for parking vehicles, ingress and egress, or used for commercial purposes. Use of such locations falls under chapter 283, Laws of 2023 when used for illegal racing when such use is without the expres…

"Operator or driver" means every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle. [ 1975 c 62 s 6; 1967 c 32 s 1; 1961 c 12 s 46.04.370. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 38; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 6312-1, part; 1923 c 181 s 1, p…

"Organ transport vehicle" means any vehicle operated or contracted by an organ procurement organization as defined in RCW 68.64.010, and clearly and identifiably marked as such on all sides of the vehicle. [ 2023 c 290 s 1.]

"ORV registration" means a registration certificate or decal issued under the laws of this state pertaining to the registration of off-road vehicles under chapter 46.09 RCW. [ 2010 c 161 s 128.] Notes: Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and o…

"Owner" means a person who has a lawful right of possession of a vehicle by reason of obtaining it by purchase, exchange, gift, lease, inheritance or legal action whether or not the vehicle is subject to a security interest and means registered owner where the reference to owner …

"Ownership in doubt" means that a vehicle or vessel owner is unable to obtain satisfactory evidence of ownership or releases of interest and is permitted to apply for a three-year registration period without a certificate of title or a three-year period with a bond covering the c…

"Park or parking" means the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property or passengers. [ 1975 c 62 s 9.] Notes: Severability—1975 c 62: See note following RCW 36.75.010.…

Notes: Reviser's note: RCW 46.01.3815 was amended by 2011 c 171 s 16 without reference to its repeal by 2011 c 114 s 10. It has been decodified for publication purposes under RCW 1.12.025.

"Passenger car" means every motor vehicle except motorcycles and motor-driven cycles, designed for carrying ten passengers or less and used for the transportation of persons. [ 1963 c 154 s 29.] Notes: Effective date—1963 c 154: See note following RCW 46.37.010.

(1) "Patches pal license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display the likenesses of the J.P. Patches and Gertrude characters from the J.P. Patches show, or children's characters that are changed in accordance with subsection (2) of this section…

"Personalized license plates" means license plates that display the license plate number assigned to the vehicle or camper for which the license plate number was issued in a combination of letters or numbers, or both, requested by the owner of the vehicle or camper in accordance …

"Pedestrian" means any person who is afoot or who is using a wheelchair, a power wheelchair, or a means of conveyance propelled by human power other than a bicycle. [ 2003 c 141 s 5; 1990 c 241 s 1; 1961 c 12 s 46.04.400. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 41; prior: 1937 c 189 s 1, part; RRS s …

"Person" includes every natural person, firm, copartnership, corporation, association, or organization. [ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.405. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 42; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 6312-1, part. (ii) 1937 c 189 s 1, part; RRS s 6360-1, …

"Photograph," along with the terms "picture" and "negative," means a pictorial representation, whether produced through photographic or other means, including, but not limited to, digital data imaging. [ 1990 c 250 s 21.]

"Pneumatic tires" includes every tire of rubber or other resilient material designed to be inflated with compressed air to support the load thereon. [ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.410. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 43; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 6312-1, pa…

"Pole trailer" means every vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by another vehicle and attached to the towing vehicle by means of a reach, or pole, or by being boomed or otherwise secured to the towing vehicle, and ordinarily used for transporting long or irregular s…

Police officer means every officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations. [ 1965 ex.s. c 155 s 89. Formerly RCW 46.04.391.]

"Power wheelchair" means any self-propelled vehicle capable of traveling no more than fifteen miles per hour, usable indoors, designed as a mobility aid for individuals with mobility impairments, and operated by such an individual. [ 2003 c 141 s 1.] Notes: Wheelchair conveyance:…

"Private carrier bus" means every motor vehicle designed for the purpose of carrying passengers (having a seating capacity for eleven or more persons) used regularly to transport persons in furtherance of any organized agricultural, religious or charitable purpose. Such term does…

"Private road or driveway" includes every way or place in private ownership and used for travel of vehicles by the owner or those having express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons. [ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.420. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 45; prior: 1937 c 189 s 1, …

"Private use single-axle trailer" means a trailer owned by a natural person and used for the private noncommercial use of the owner. [ 2010 c 161 s 132.] Notes: Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legi…

"Professional firefighters and paramedics license plates" means license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a symbol denoting professional firefighters and paramedics. [ 2011 c 171 s 17; 2004 c 35 s 2.] Notes: Intent—Effective date—2011 c 171: See notes following RCW 4…

"Public scale" means every scale under public or private ownership which is certified as to its accuracy and which is available for public weighing. [ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.435. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 47.]

"Purple heart license plates" means special license plates that may be assigned to a motor vehicle required to display one or two license plates, excluding vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW, upon terms and conditions established by the department, to recipients of the P…

"Railroad" means a carrier of persons or property upon vehicles, other than streetcars, operated upon stationary rails, the route of which is principally outside cities and towns. [ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.440. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 48; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, par…

"Railroad sign or signal" means any sign, signal, or device erected by authority of a public body or official or by a railroad and intended to give notice of the presence of railroad tracks or the approach of a railroad train. [ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.450. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 49; prior…

"Reasonable grounds," when used in the context of a law enforcement officer's decision to make an arrest, means probable cause. [ 1995 c 332 s 19.] Notes: Severability—Effective dates—1995 c 332: See notes following RCW 46.20.308.

"Registered owner" means the person whose lawful right of possession of a vehicle has most recently been recorded with the department. [ 1975 c 25 s 3; 1961 c 12 s 46.04.460. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 50; prior: 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 6312-1, part.…