Title 46 — Title 46 MOTOR VEHICLES
54 chapters · 1,673 sections in this title.
RCW 46.61.005 Chapter refers to vehicles upon highways—Exceptions.
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The provisions of this chapter relating to the operation of vehicles refer exclusively to the operation of vehicles upon highways except:(1) Where a different place is specifically referred to in a given section.(2) The provisions of RCW 46.52.010 through 46.52.090, 46.61.500 thr…
RCW 46.61.015 Obedience to police officers, flaggers, or firefighters—Penalty.
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(1) No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any duly authorized flagger or any police officer or firefighter invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic.(2) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor.[ …
RCW 46.61.020 Refusal to give information to or cooperate with officer—Penalty.
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(1) It is unlawful for any person while operating or in charge of any vehicle to refuse when requested by a police officer to give his or her name and address and the name and address of the owner of such vehicle, or for such person to give a false name and address, and it is lik…
RCW 46.61.021 Duty to obey law enforcement officer—Authority of officer.
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(1) Any person requested or signaled to stop by a law enforcement officer for a traffic infraction has a duty to stop.(2) Whenever any person is stopped for a traffic infraction, the officer may detain that person for a reasonable period of time necessary to identify the person, …
RCW 46.61.022 Failure to obey officer—Penalty.
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Any person who wilfully fails to stop when requested or signaled to do so by a person reasonably identifiable as a law enforcement officer or to comply with RCW 46.61.021(3), is guilty of a misdemeanor.[ 1979 ex.s. c 136 s 5.]Notes:Rules of court: Bail in criminal traffic offense…
RCW 46.61.024 Attempting to elude police vehicle—Defense—License revocation.
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(1) Any driver of a motor vehicle who willfully fails or refuses to immediately bring his or her vehicle to a stop and who drives his or her vehicle in a reckless manner while attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, after being given a visual or audible signal to bring the…
RCW 46.61.025 Persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles.
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Every person riding an animal or driving any animal-drawn vehicle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter except those provisions of this chapter which by their very nature c…
RCW 46.61.030 Persons working on highway right-of-way—Exceptions.
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Unless specifically made applicable, the provisions of this chapter except those contained in RCW 46.61.500 through 46.61.520 shall not apply to persons, motor vehicles and other equipment while engaged in work within the right-of-way of any highway but shall apply to such person…
RCW 46.61.035 Authorized emergency vehicles.
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(1) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but …
RCW 46.61.050 Obedience to and required traffic control devices.
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(1) The driver of any vehicle, a person operating a bicycle, and every pedestrian shall obey, and the operation of every personal delivery device shall follow, the instructions of any official traffic control device applicable thereto, and as specified in this chapter, placed in …
RCW 46.61.055 Traffic control signal legend.
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Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals exhibiting different colored lights, or colored lighted arrows, successively one at a time or in combination, only the colors green, red and yellow shall be used, except for special pedestrian signals carrying a word or le…
RCW 46.61.060 Pedestrian control signals—Pedestrians, personal delivery devices.
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Whenever pedestrian control signals exhibiting the words "Walk" or the walking person symbol or "Don't Walk" or the hand symbol are operating, the signals shall indicate as follows:(1) WALK or walking person symbol—Pedestrians or personal delivery devices facing such signal may c…
RCW 46.61.065 Flashing signals.
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(1) Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow signal is used in a traffic sign or signal it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:(a) FLASHING RED (STOP SIGNAL). When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop …
RCW 46.61.070 Lane-direction-control signals.
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When lane-direction-control signals are placed over the individual lanes of a street or highway, vehicular traffic may travel in any lane over which a green signal is shown, but shall not enter or travel in any lane over which a red signal is shown.[ 1965 ex.s. c 155 s 11.]
RCW 46.61.072 Special traffic control signals—Legend.
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Whenever special traffic control signals exhibit a downward green arrow, a yellow X, or a red X indication, such signal indication shall have the following meaning:(1) A steady downward green arrow means that a driver is permitted to drive in the lane over which the arrow signal …
RCW 46.61.075 Display of unauthorized signs, signals, or markings.
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(1) No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the mo…
RCW 46.61.080 Interference with official traffic-control devices or railroad signs or signals.
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No person shall, without lawful authority, attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down or remove any official traffic-control device or any railroad sign or signal or any inscription, shield or insignia thereon, or any other part thereof.[ 1965 ex.s. c 155 s 13.]Notes…
RCW 46.61.085 Traffic control signals or devices upon city streets forming part of state highways—Approval by department of transportation.
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No traffic control signal or device may be erected or maintained upon any city street designated as forming a part of the route of a primary state highway or secondary state highway unless first approved by the state department of transportation.[ 1984 c 7 s 62; 1965 ex.s. c 155 …
RCW 46.61.100 Keep right except when passing, etc.
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(1) Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:(a) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;(b) When an obstruction exists making…
RCW 46.61.105 Passing vehicles proceeding in opposite directions.
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Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right, and upon roadways having width for not more than one line of traffic in each direction each driver shall give to the other at least one-half of the main-traveled portion of the roadway as ne…
RCW 46.61.110 Overtaking on the left—Fine.
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The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction:(1)(a) The driver of a vehicle overtaking other traffic proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of it at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right…
RCW 46.61.115 When overtaking on the right is permitted.
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(1) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:(a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;(b) Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of…
RCW 46.61.120 Limitations on overtaking on the left.
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No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing other traffic proceeding in the same direction unless authorized by the provisions of RCW 46.61.100 through 46.61.160 and 46.61.212 and unless such left side is clearly visible and …
RCW 46.61.125 Further limitations on driving to left of center of roadway.
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(1) No vehicle shall be driven on the left side of the roadway under the following conditions:(a) When approaching or upon the crest of a grade or a curve in the highway where the driver's view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event other traffic mi…
RCW 46.61.126 Pedestrians and bicyclists—Legal duties.
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Nothing in RCW 46.61.110, 46.61.120, or 46.61.125 relieves pedestrians and bicyclists of their legal duties while traveling on public highways.[ 2005 c 396 s 4.]
RCW 46.61.130 No-passing zones.
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(1) The state department of transportation and the local authorities are authorized to determine those portions of any highway under their respective jurisdictions where overtaking and passing or driving to the left of the roadway would be especially hazardous and may by appropri…
RCW 46.61.135 One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands.
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(1) The state department of transportation and the local authorities with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions may designate any highway, roadway, part of a roadway, or specific lanes upon which vehicular traffic shall proceed in one direction at all or such t…
RCW 46.61.140 Driving on roadways laned for traffic.
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Whenever any roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic the following rules in addition to all others consistent herewith shall apply:(1) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from s…
RCW 46.61.145 Following too closely—Vulnerable users of a public way—Fine.
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(1) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.(2) The driver of any motor truck or motor vehicle drawing anothe…
RCW 46.61.150 Driving on divided highways.
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Whenever any highway has been divided into two or more roadways by leaving an intervening space or by a physical barrier or clearly indicated dividing section or by a median island not less than eighteen inches wide formed either by solid yellow pavement markings or by a yellow c…
RCW 46.61.155 Restricted access.
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No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from any limited access roadway except at such entrances and exits as are established by public authority.[ 1965 ex.s. c 155 s 26.]Notes:Rules of court: Monetary penalty schedule—IRLJ 6.2.
RCW 46.61.160 Restrictions on limited access highway—Use by bicyclists.
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The department of transportation may by order, and local authorities may by ordinance or resolution, with respect to any limited access highway under their respective jurisdictions prohibit the use of any such highway by funeral processions, or by parades, pedestrians, bicycles o…
RCW 46.61.165 High occupancy vehicle lanes—Monetary penalties for traffic infractions—Definition.
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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 1980-S.SL) ***(1) The state department of transportation and the local authorities are authorized to reserve all or any portion of any highway under their respective jurisdictions, including any designated lane or ramp, for the exclusive or preferentia…
RCW 46.61.180 Vehicle approaching intersection—Vulnerable users of a public way—Fine.
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(1) When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.(2) The right-of-way rule declared in subsection (1) of this section is m…
RCW 46.61.183 Nonfunctioning signal lights.
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Except when directed to proceed by a flagger, police officer, or firefighter, the driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection controlled by a traffic control signal that is temporarily without power on all approaches or is not displaying any green, red, or yellow indication t…
RCW 46.61.184 Bicycle, moped, or street legal motorcycle at intersection with inoperative vehicle detection device.
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Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the operator of a bicycle, moped, or street legal motorcycle approaching an intersection, including a left turn intersection, that is controlled by a triggered traffic control signal using a vehicle detection device that is in…
RCW 46.61.185 Vehicle turning left—Vulnerable users of a public way—Fine.
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(1) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute a…
RCW 46.61.190 Vehicle entering stop or yield intersection—Vulnerable users of a public way—Fine.
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(1) Preferential right-of-way may be indicated by stop signs or yield signs as authorized in RCW 47.36.110.(2)(a) Except when directed to proceed by a duly authorized flagger, or a police officer, or a firefighter vested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traff…
RCW 46.61.195 Arterial highways designated—Stopping on entering.
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All state highways are hereby declared to be arterial highways as respects all other public highways or private ways, except that the state department of transportation has the authority to designate any county road or city street as an arterial having preference over the traffic…
RCW 46.61.197 Shared streets—Local authority may designate nonarterial highway—Central business district—Pedestrians, bicyclists, operators of micromobility devices—Annual report.
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(1)(a) A local authority may designate a nonarterial highway, except as provided in (b) of this subsection, to be a shared street under this section, if the local authority has developed procedures for establishing shared streets.(b) Nonarterial highways that are state highways m…
RCW 46.61.200 Stop intersections other than arterial may be designated.
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In addition to the points of intersection of any public highway with any arterial public highway that is constituted by law or by any proper authorities of this state or any city or town of this state, the state department of transportation with respect to state highways, and the…
RCW 46.61.202 Stopping when traffic obstructed.
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No driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk or drive onto any railroad grade crossing unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection, crosswalk, or railroad grade crossing to accommodate the vehicle he or she is operating without obstructin…
RCW 46.61.205 Vehicle entering highway from private road or driveway—Vulnerable users of a public way—Fine.
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(1) The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a highway from a private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles lawfully approaching on said highway.(2)(a) When right-of-way has not been yielded in accordance with this section to a vehicle that is a vul…
RCW 46.61.210 Operation of vehicles on approach of emergency vehicles or organ transport vehicles transporting a time urgent organ.
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(1) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle, or organ transport vehicle transporting a time urgent organ as defined in RCW 68.64.010, making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.190, or of a police vehicle properly and law…
RCW 46.61.212 Emergency or work zones—Approaching—Penalty—Violation.
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(1) An emergency or work zone is defined as the adjacent lanes of the roadway 200 feet before and after:(a) A stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is making use of audible and/or visual signals meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.190;(b) A tow truck that is making use o…
RCW 46.61.215 Highway construction and maintenance.
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(1) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any authorized vehicle or pedestrian actually engaged in work upon a highway, including highway construction and highway maintenance workers, and flaggers, within any highway construction or maintenance area indicated by…
RCW 46.61.220 Transit vehicles.
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(1) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a transit vehicle traveling in the same direction that has signalled and is reentering the traffic flow.(2) Nothing in this section shall operate to relieve the driver of a transit vehicle from the duty to drive with due…
RCW 46.61.230 Pedestrians subject to traffic regulations.
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Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic-control signals at intersections as provided in RCW 46.61.060, and at all other places pedestrians shall be accorded the privileges and shall be subject to the restrictions stated in this chapter.[ 1965 ex.s. c 155 s 33.]Notes:Rules of cour…
RCW 46.61.235 Crosswalks.
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(1) The operator of an approaching vehicle shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian, bicycle, or personal delivery device to cross the roadway within an unmarked or marked crosswalk when the pedestrian, bicycle, or personal delivery device is upon or within one lane of…
RCW 46.61.240 Crossing at other than crosswalks.
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(1) Every pedestrian or personal delivery device crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.(2) Where curb ramps exist at or adjacent to inte…