Title 46 — Title 46 MOTOR VEHICLES

Terms used in this title shall have the meaning given to them in this chapter except where otherwise defined, and unless where used the context thereof shall clearly indicate to the contrary.Words and phrases used herein in the past, present or future tense shall include the past…

"4-H license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display the "4-H" logo.[ 2012 c 65 s 2.]Notes:Effective date—2012 c 65: See note following RCW 46.18.200.

"Affidavit of loss" means a written statement confirming that the certificate of title, registration certificate, gross weight license, validation tab, or decal has been lost, stolen, destroyed, or mutilated. The statement must be in a form prescribed by the director.[ 2010 c 161…

"Agent," for the purposes of entering into the standard contract required under RCW 46.01.140(1), means any county auditor or other individual, government, or business entity other than a subagent that is appointed to carry out vehicle registration and certificate of title functi…

"Alcohol concentration" means (1) grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of a person's breath, or (2) grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters of a person's blood.[ 1995 c 332 s 17; 1994 c 275 s 1.]Notes:Severability—Effective dates—1995 c 332: See notes following RCW 46…

"Alley" means a public highway not designed for general travel and used primarily as a means of access to the rear of residences and business establishments.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.020. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 3; prior: 1937 c 189 s 1, part; RRS s 6360-1, part.]

"Amateur radio operator license plates" means special license plates displaying amateur radio call letters assigned by the federal communications commission.[ 2010 c 161 s 103.]Notes:Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments mad…

"Armed forces license plate collection" means the collection of six separate license plate designs issued under RCW 46.18.210. Each license plate design displays a symbol representing one of the five branches of the armed forces, and one representing the national guard.[ 2010 c 1…

"Arterial highway" means every public highway, or portion thereof, designated as such by proper authority.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.030. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 4; prior: 1937 c 189 s 1, part; RRS s 6360-1, part.]

"Authorized emergency vehicle" means any vehicle of any fire department, police department, sheriff's office, coroner, prosecuting attorney, Washington state patrol, ambulance service, public or private, which need not be classified, registered or authorized by the state patrol, …

"Auto stage" means any motor vehicle used for the purpose of carrying passengers together with incidental baggage and freight or either, on a regular schedule of time and rates: PROVIDED, That no motor vehicle shall be considered to be an auto stage where substantially the entire…

"Axle" means structure or structures in the same or approximately the same transverse plane with a vehicle supported by wheels and on which or with which such wheels revolve.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.060. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 7; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem.…

"Bicycle" means every device propelled solely by human power, or an electric-assisted bicycle as defined in RCW 46.04.169, upon which a person or persons may ride, having two tandem wheels either of which is sixteen inches or more in diameter, or three wheels, any one of which is…

"Breast cancer awareness license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a symbol or artwork recognizing breast cancer awareness.[ 2014 c 77 s 6.]Notes:Effective date—2014 c 77: See note following RCW 46.18.200.

"Business day" means Monday through Friday and excludes Saturday, Sunday, and state and federal holidays.[ 2010 c 161 s 106.]Notes:Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: Se…

"Business district" means the territory contiguous to and including a highway when within any six hundred feet along such highway there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including but not limited to hotels, banks, or office buildings, railroad stations, an…

"Cab and chassis" means an incomplete vehicle manufactured and sold with only a cab, frame, and running gear.[ 2010 c 161 s 107.]Notes:Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161…

"Camper" means a structure designed to be mounted upon a motor vehicle which provides facilities for human habitation or for temporary outdoor or recreational lodging and which is five feet or more in overall length and five feet or more in height from its floor to its ceiling wh…

"Cancel," in all its forms, means invalidation indefinitely.[ 1979 c 61 s 1; 1961 c 12 s 46.04.090. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 10; 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, part.]

"Cannabis," except as otherwise provided in this title, has the meaning provided in RCW 69.50.101.[ 2022 c 16 s 37.]Notes:Intent—Finding—2022 c 16: See note following RCW 69.50.101.

"Cargo extension" means a device that connects to the left and right side of a motor home or travel trailer frame and (1) becomes part of the frame, (2) does not pivot on a hitch, and (3) has an axle with two wheels, acting as a tag axle, to safely carry the weight of the cargo.[…

"Center line" means the line, marked or unmarked, parallel to and equidistant from the sides of a two-way traffic roadway of a highway except where otherwise indicated by painted lines or markers.[ 1975 c 62 s 3; 1961 c 12 s 46.04.100. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 11; prior: 1937 c 189 s 1…

"Center of intersection" means the point of intersection of the center lines of the roadway of intersecting public highways.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.110. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 12; prior: 1937 c 189 s 1, part; RRS s 6360-1, part.]

"Chauffeur" means a person authorized by the department under this title to drive a limousine, and, if operating in a port district that regulates limousines under RCW 46.72A.030(2), meets the licensing requirements of that port district.[ 1996 c 87 s 1.]

(1) "Circular intersection" means an intersection characterized by a circulatory roadway, generally circular in design, located in the center of the intersection. A circular intersection encompasses the area bounded by the outermost curb line or, if there is no curb, the edge of …

"City street" means every public highway, or part thereof located within the limits of cities and towns, except alleys.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.120. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 13; 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;…

"Collectible vehicle" means a vehicle that complies with the following:(1) Is of unique or rare design, of limited production, and an object of curiosity;(2) Is maintained primarily for use in car club activities, exhibitions, parades, or other functions of public interest or for…

"Collector" means the owner of one or more vehicles described in RCW 46.18.220(1) who collects, purchases, acquires, trades, or disposes of the vehicle or parts of it, for his or her personal use, in order to preserve, restore, and maintain the vehicle for hobby or historical pur…

"Collector vehicle" means any motor vehicle or travel trailer that is at least thirty years old.[ 2015 c 200 s 4; 2009 c 142 s 2.]Notes:Effective date—2015 c 200: See note following RCW 46.16A.428.

"Collector vehicle license plate" means a special license plate that may be assigned to a vehicle that is more than thirty years old.[ 2010 c 161 s 109.]Notes:Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legisl…

"Collegiate license plates" means license plates that display a depiction of the name and mascot or symbol of a state university, regional university, or state college as defined in RCW 28B.10.016.[ 1994 c 194 s 1.]

"Combination of vehicles" means every combination of motor vehicle and motor vehicle, motor vehicle and trailer or motor vehicle and semitrailer.[ 1963 c 154 s 26; 1961 c 12 s 46.04.130. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 14; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1943…

"Commercial trailer" means a trailer that is principally used to transport commodities, merchandise, produce, freight, or animals.[ 2010 c 161 s 110.]Notes:Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislati…

"Commercial vehicle" means any vehicle the principal use of which is the transportation of commodities, merchandise, produce, freight, animals, or passengers for hire.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.140. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 15; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem. Supp.…

"Confidential license plates" and "undercover license plates" mean standard issue license plates assigned to vehicles owned or operated by public agencies. These license plates are used as specifically authorized under RCW 46.08.066.[ 2010 c 161 s 111.]Notes:Effective date—Intent…

"Converter gear" means an auxiliary axle, booster axle, dolly, or jeep axle.[ 2010 c 161 s 112.]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 46.04.0…

"County road" means every public highway or part thereof, outside the limits of cities and towns and which has not been designated as a state highway.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.04.150. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 16; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 6312-1, p…

"Crosswalk" means the portion of the roadway between the intersection area and a prolongation or connection of the farthest sidewalk line or in the event there are no sidewalks then between the intersection area and a line ten feet therefrom, except as modified by a marked crossw…

"Custom vehicle" means any motor vehicle that:(1) Is at least thirty years old and of a model year after 1948 or was manufactured to resemble a vehicle at least thirty years old and of a model year after 1948; and(2) Has alterations to one or more of the major component parts lis…

"Data services" means the practice of providing data sets to governmental entities and businesses, as authorized or required by law.[ 2021 c 93 s 1.]

The term "department" shall mean the department of licensing unless a different department is specified.[ 1979 c 158 s 126; 1975 c 25 s 4. Formerly RCW 46.04.690.]

The term "director" shall mean the director of licensing unless the director of a different department of government is specified.[ 1979 c 158 s 127; 1975 c 25 s 5. Formerly RCW 46.04.695.]

"Disabled American veteran license plates" means special license plates issued to a veteran, as defined in RCW 41.04.007, who meets the requirements provided in RCW 46.18.235.[ 2010 c 161 s 113.]Notes:Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and ot…

"Donate life license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that displays the donate life logo.[ 2025 c 385 s 20.]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 46.18.060.

"Drifting" means a driver intentionally oversteers a vehicle, causing loss of traction, while maneuvering a vehicle in a turning direction.[ 2023 c 283 s 2.]Notes:Effective date—2023 c 283: See note following RCW 46.04.367.

"Driveaway-towaway operation" means any operation in which any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, singly or in combination, new or used, constitutes the commodity being transported when one set or more wheels of any such vehicle are on the roadway during the course of transpo…

Whenever the term "driver education" is used in the code, it shall be defined to mean "traffic safety education".[ 1969 ex.s. c 218 s 12. Formerly RCW 46.04.700.]

"Driving privilege withheld" means that the department has revoked, suspended, or denied a person's Washington state driver's license, permit to drive, driving privilege, or nonresident driving privilege.[ 1999 c 6 s 2.]Notes:Intent—1999 c 6: "(1) This act is intended to edit som…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6110-S.SL) ***"Electric-assisted bicycle" means a bicycle with two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operative pedals for human propulsion, and an electric motor. The electric-assisted bicycle's electric motor must have a power output of no more than se…

"Electric personal assistive mobility device" (EPAMD) means (1) a self-balancing device with two wheels not in tandem, designed to transport only one person by an electric propulsion system with an average power of seven hundred fifty watts (one horsepower) having a maximum speed…