Title 46 — Title 46 MOTOR VEHICLES

"Electronic commerce" may include, but is not limited to, transactions conducted over the Internet or by telephone or other electronic means.[ 2004 c 249 s 1.]

"Empty scale weight" means the weight of a vehicle as it stands without a load.[ 2010 c 161 s 114.]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 46.0…

"Endangered wildlife license plates" means special license plates that display a symbol or artwork symbolizing endangered wildlife in Washington state.[ 2010 c 161 s 115.]Notes:Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made duri…

"Excessive speeding" means traveling at:(1) 10 miles per hour or greater in excess of the posted speed limit, if the posted speed limit is 40 miles per hour or less; and(2) 20 miles per hour or greater in excess of the posted speed limit, if the posted speed limit is greater than…

"Explosives" means any chemical compound or mechanical mixture that is commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion, and which contains any oxidizing or combustible units or other ingredients in such proportions, quantities or packing that an ignition by fi…

"Facial recognition matching system" means a system that compares the biometric template derived from an image of an applicant or holder of a driver's license, permit, or identicard with the biometric templates derived from the images in the department's negative file.[ 2012 c 80…

"Farm tractor" means every motor vehicle designed and used primarily as a farm implement for drawing plows, mowing machines, and other implements of husbandry.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.180. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 19; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 s …

"Farm vehicle" means any vehicle other than a farm tractor or farm implement which is: (1) Designed and/or used primarily in agricultural pursuits on farms for the purpose of transporting machinery, equipment, implements, farm products, supplies and/or farm labor thereon and is o…

"Farmer" means any person, firm, partnership or corporation engaged in farming. If a person, firm, partnership or corporation is engaged in activities in addition to that of farming, the definition shall only apply to that portion of the activity that is defined as farming in RCW…

"Farming" means the cultivation and tillage of the soil, dairying, the production, cultivation, growing, and harvesting of any agricultural or horticultural commodities (except forestry or forestry operations), the raising of livestock, bees, fur-bearing animals, or poultry, and …

"Firefighter memorial license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display the Maltese cross with the words "never forget."[ 2025 c 385 s 19.]Notes:Effective date—2025 c 385 ss 3-24: See note following RCW 44.04.300.Short title—2025 c 385: See note…

"Fixed load vehicle" means a commercial vehicle that has a structure or machinery permanently attached such as, but not limited to, an air compressor, a bunk house, a conveyor, a cook house, a donkey engine, a hoist, a rock crusher, a tool house, or a well drilling machine. Fixed…

"Flammable liquid" means any liquid which has a flash point of 70° Fahrenheit, or less, as determined by a Tagliabue or equivalent closed cup test device.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.210. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 22; prior: 1937 c 189 s 1, part; RRS s 6360-1, part. Cf. 1951 c 102 s 3. Formerly …

"For hire vehicle" means any motor vehicle used for the transportation of persons for compensation, except auto stages and ride-sharing vehicles.[ 1979 c 111 s 13; 1961 c 12 s 46.04.190. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 20; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1943…

"Former prisoner of war license plates" means special license plates that may be issued to former prisoners of war as authorized under RCW 46.18.235.[ 2010 c 161 s 117.]Notes:Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during…

"Fred Hutch license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display the logo of the Fred Hutchinson cancer research center.[ 2017 c 25 s 4.]Notes:Effective date—2017 c 25: See note following RCW 46.18.200.

"Garbage truck" means a truck specially designed and used exclusively for garbage or refuse operations.[ 1983 c 68 s 1.]

"Golf cart" means a gas-powered or electric-powered four-wheeled vehicle originally designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting purposes and has a speed attainable in one mile of not more than twenty miles per hour. A golf cart is not a nonhighway vehicl…

"Gonzaga University alumni association license plates" means license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a symbol or artwork recognizing the efforts of the Gonzaga University alumni association in Washington state.[ 2011 c 171 s 13; 2005 c 85 s 2.]Notes:Intent—Effectiv…

"Gross vehicle weight rating" means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum load weight of a single vehicle.[ 2010 c 161 s 118.]Notes:Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative sess…

"Helping Kids Speak license plates" means license plates that display a symbol of an organization that supports programs that provide free diagnostic and therapeutic services to children who have a severe delay in language or speech development.[ 2004 c 48 s 2.]

Highway means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.[ 1965 ex.s. c 155 s 87. Formerly RCW 46.04.431.]

"Historical throwback license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display white lettering on a black background in a style similar to historical license plates issued in the early 20th century.[ 2025 c 385 s 22.]Notes:Effective date—2025 c 385 ss …

"Horseless carriage license plate" is a special license plate that may be assigned to a vehicle that is at least forty years old.[ 2017 c 147 s 1; 2010 c 161 s 120.]Notes:Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the…

"Hours of darkness" means the hours from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, and any other time when persons or objects may not be clearly discernible at a distance of five hundred feet.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.200. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 21; prior: 1937 c 189 s 1,…

"Hybrid motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle that uses multiple power sources or fuel types for propulsion and meets the federal definition of a hybrid motor vehicle.[ 2010 c 161 s 121.]Notes:Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amend…

(1) "Identity information" means information that identifies an individual, or may be used to determine the identity of an individual, including:(a) Federal tax identification number or employer identification number;(b) Residential and mailing address, but not the five-digit zip…

"Ignition interlock device" means breath alcohol analyzing ignition equipment or other biological or technical device certified in conformance with RCW 43.43.395 and rules adopted by the state patrol and designed to prevent a motor vehicle from being operated by a person who has …

"Ignition interlock driver's license" means a permit issued to a person by the department that allows the person to operate a noncommercial motor vehicle with an ignition interlock device while the person's regular driver's license is suspended, revoked, or denied.[ 2008 c 282 s …

"Intelligent speed assistance device" means a technical device designed to be installed within a motor vehicle to actively monitor and prevent the driver from exceeding a preset limit. "Intelligent speed assistance device" does not include any technology that is provided by the v…

(1) "Intersection area" means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two or more highways which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles, or the area within wh…

"Intersection control area" means intersection area, together with such modification of the adjacent roadway area as results from the arc of curb corners and together with any marked or unmarked crosswalks adjacent to the intersection.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.240. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 2…

"Keep Kids Safe license plates" means license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display artwork recognizing efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect in Washington state.[ 2011 c 171 s 14; 2005 c 53 s 2.]Notes:Intent—Effective date—2011 c 171: See notes following RCW 4.24.2…

"Keep Washington evergreen license plate" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display green lettering on a white background in a style similar to the license plates issued by the department in the 1970s.[ 2025 c 385 s 9.]Notes:Effective date—2025 c 385 ss…

"Kit vehicle" means a passenger car or light truck assembled from a manufactured kit, and is either (1) a complete kit consisting of a prefabricated body and chassis used to construct a new vehicle, or (2) a kit consisting of a prefabricated body to be mounted on an existing vehi…

"Laned highway" means a highway the roadway of which is divided into clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.260. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 27; prior: 1937 c 189 s 1, part; RRS s 6360-1, part.]

"Law enforcement memorial license plates" means license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a symbol honoring law enforcement officers in Washington killed in the line of duty.[ 2011 c 171 s 15; 2004 c 221 s 2.]Notes:Intent—Effective date—2011 c 171: See notes followin…

"Legal owner" means a person having a security interest in a vehicle perfected in accordance with chapter 46.12 RCW or the registered owner of a vehicle unencumbered by a security interest or the lessor of a vehicle unencumbered by a security interest.[ 1975 c 25 s 1; 1961 c 12 s…

"LeMay-America's Car Museum license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display the LeMay-America's car museum logo, name, or related image.[ 2025 c 385 s 11.]Notes:Effective date—2025 c 385 ss 3-24: See note following RCW 44.04.300.Short title—20…

"License plate" means a plate that may be issued to a vehicle owner by the department or by an authorized entity for vehicle licensing or identification purposes. "License plates" do not include: (1) Temporary license plates; or (2) metal tags issued for the purposes of licensing…

"Light truck" means a motor vehicle manufactured as a truck with a declared gross weight of twelve thousand pounds or less.[ 2010 c 161 s 122.]Notes:Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative sess…

(1) "Lightweight stud" means a stud intended for installation and use in a vehicle tire. As used in this title, this means a stud that is recommended by the manufacturer of the tire for the type and size of the tire and that:(a) Weighs no more than 1.5 grams if the stud conforms …

"Limousine" means a category of for hire, chauffeur-driven, unmetered, unmarked luxury motor vehicles. The director in consultation with the Washington state patrol will by rule define the categories of limousines.[ 2006 c 98 s 1; 1996 c 87 s 2.]Notes:Effective date—2006 c 98: "T…

"Limousine carrier" means a person engaged in the transportation of a person or group of persons, who, under a single contract, acquires, on a prearranged basis, the use of a limousine to travel to a specified destination or for a particular itinerary. The term "prearranged basis…

"Local authorities" includes every county, municipal, or other local public board or body having authority to adopt local police regulations under the Constitution and laws of this state.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.280. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 29; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s…

"Marked crosswalk" means any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface thereof.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.290. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 30; prior: 1937 c 189 s 1, part; RRS s 6360-1, part.]

"Market value threshold amount" means an amount set by rule by the department that is used to determine, together with the age of the vehicle, whether vehicle certificates of title for vehicles aged six years through twenty years should be identified as having been previously des…

"Medal of Honor" means the Medal of Honor military decoration presented by the president of the United States, in the name of congress.[ 2014 c 181 s 4.]

"Medium-speed electric vehicle" means a self-propelled, electrically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle, equipped with a roll cage or crush-proof body design, whose speed attainable in one mile is more than twenty-five miles per hour but not more than thirty-five miles per hour a…

"Metal tire" includes every tire, the bearing surface of which in contact with the highway is wholly or partly of metal or other hard, nonresilient material.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.300. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 31; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 63…