Title 46 — Title 46 MOTOR VEHICLES

The legislature finds and declares that the distribution, sale, and lease of vehicles in the state of Washington vitally affects the general economy of the state and the public interest and the public welfare, and that in order to promote the public interest and the public welfar…

As used in this chapter:(1) "Auction" means a transaction conducted by means of exchanges between an auctioneer and the members of the audience, constituting a series of oral invitations for offers for the purchase of vehicles made by the auctioneer, offers to purchase by members…

(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm, or association to act as a vehicle dealer or vehicle manufacturer, to engage in business as such, serve in the capacity of such, advertise himself, herself, or themselves as such, solicit sales as such, or distribute or transfer vehicles f…

(1) An "established place of business" requires a permanent, enclosed commercial building located within the state of Washington easily accessible at all reasonable times. The business of a vehicle dealer must be lawfully carried on at an established place of business in accordan…

The director may by rule waive any requirements pertaining to a vehicle dealer's established place of business if such waiver both serves the purposes of this chapter and is necessary due to unique circumstances such as a location divided by a public street or a highly specialize…

A vehicle dealer is accountable for the dealer's employees, sales personnel, and managerial personnel while in the performance of their official duties. Any violations of this chapter or applicable provisions of chapter 46.12 or 46.16A RCW committed by any of these employees subj…

Dealers who transact dealer business by consignment shall obtain a consignment contract for sale and shall comply with applicable provisions of chapter 46.70 RCW. The dealer shall place all funds received from the sale of the consigned vehicle in a trust account until the sale is…

Listing dealers shall transact dealer business by obtaining a listing agreement for sale, and the buyer's purchase of the mobile home shall be handled as dealer inventory. All funds from the purchaser shall be placed in a trust account until the sale is completed, except that the…

A vehicle dealer or vehicle manufacturer may apply for a license by filing with the department an application in such form as the department may prescribe.[ 1986 c 241 s 7; 1973 1st ex.s. c 132 s 4; 1967 ex.s. c 74 s 5.]

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6354-S.SL) ***(1) Every application for a vehicle dealer license shall contain the following information to the extent it applies to the applicant:(a) Proof as the department may require concerning the applicant's identity, including but not limited to…

Every application for license shall be retained by the department for a period of three years and shall be confidential information for the use of the department, the attorney general or the prosecuting attorney only: PROVIDED, That upon a showing of good cause therefor any court…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6354-S.SL) ***The director may deny a license under this chapter when the application is a subterfuge that conceals the real person in interest whose license has been denied, suspended, or revoked for cause under this chapter and the terms have not bee…

(1) After the application has been filed, the fee paid, and bond posted, if required, the department shall, if no denial order is in effect and no proceeding is pending under RCW 46.70.101, issue the appropriate license, which license, in the case of a vehicle dealer, shall desig…

(1)(a) Effective July 1, 2017, the department of licensing may not issue any new wholesale vehicle dealer licenses.(b) Effective July 1, 2018, the department of licensing may not renew any wholesale vehicle dealer licenses, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.(2)…

(1) The annual fees for original licenses issued for twelve consecutive months from the date of issuance under this chapter shall be:(a) Vehicle dealers, principal place of business for each and every license classification: Nine hundred seventy-five dollars;(b) Vehicle dealers, …

(1) Before issuing a vehicle dealer's license, the department shall require the applicant to file with the department a surety bond in the amount of:(a) Thirty thousand dollars for motor vehicle dealers;(b) Thirty thousand dollars for mobile home, park trailer, and travel trailer…

Before issuing a manufacturer license to a manufacturer of mobile homes or travel trailers, the department shall require the applicant to file with the department a surety bond in the amount of forty thousand dollars in the case of a mobile home manufacturer and twenty thousand d…

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the following education requirements apply to an applicant for a vehicle dealer license under RCW 46.70.021:(a) An applicant for a vehicle dealer license under RCW 46.70.021 must complete a minimum of eight hours of approv…

The license of a vehicle dealer or a vehicle manufacturer expires on the date that is twelve consecutive months from the date of issuance. The license may be renewed by filing with the department prior to the expiration of the license, a renewal application containing such inform…

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the director may extend or diminish licensing periods of dealers and manufacturers for the purpose of staggering renewal periods. The extension or diminishment shall be by rule of the department adopted in accordance with chap…

(1) The department shall issue a vehicle dealer license plate which shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle only and which is capable of distinguishing the classification of the dealer, to vehicle dealers properly licensed pursuant to this chapter and shall, upon application…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6354-S.SL) ***The director may by order deny, suspend, or revoke the license of any vehicle dealer or vehicle manufacturer or, in lieu thereof or in addition thereto, may by order assess monetary penalties of a civil nature not to exceed one thousand d…

Upon the entry of the order under RCW 46.70.101 the director shall promptly notify the applicant or licensee that the order has been entered and of the reasons therefor and that if requested by the applicant or licensee within fifteen days after the receipt of the director's noti…

For the purpose of any investigation or proceeding under this chapter, the director or any officer designated by him or her may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of any books, papers, correspo…

(1) If it appears to the director that a person has engaged or is about to engage in an act or practice constituting a violation of this chapter, or a rule adopted or an order issued under this chapter, the director may issue an order directing the person to cease and desist from…

A dealer shall complete and maintain for a period of at least five years a record of the purchase and sale or lease of all vehicles purchased, sold, or leased by him or her. The records shall consist of:(1) The license and title numbers of the state in which the last license was …

(1) If the purchaser or transferee is a dealer he or she shall, on selling, leasing, or otherwise disposing of the vehicle, promptly execute the assignment and warranty of title, in such form as the director shall prescribe.(2) The assignment and warranty shall show any secured p…

A vehicle dealer shall possess a separate certificate of title or other evidence of ownership approved by the department for each used vehicle kept in the dealer's possession. Evidence of ownership shall be either in the name of the dealer or in the name of the dealer's immediate…

A vehicle dealer who sells used vehicles shall either display on the vehicle, or disclose upon request, the written asking price of a specific vehicle offered for sale by the dealer as of that time.A violation of this section is an unfair business practice under chapter 19.86 RCW…

(1) Before the execution of a contract or chattel mortgage or the consummation of the sale or lease of any vehicle, the seller must furnish the buyer or lessee an itemization in writing signed by the seller separately disclosing to the buyer or lessee the finance charge, insuranc…

(1) In addition to the requirements contained in RCW 46.70.135, each sale of a new manufactured home in this state is made with an implied warranty that the manufactured home conforms in all material aspects to applicable federal and state laws and regulations establishing standa…

Any dealer, manufacturer, or contractor who installs a manufactured home warrants that the manufactured home is installed in accordance with the state installation code, chapter 296-150B WAC. The warranty contained in this section may not be waived, limited, or modified. Any prov…

Mobile home manufacturers and mobile home dealers who sell mobile homes to be assembled on-site and used as residences in this state shall conform to the following requirements:(1) No new manufactured home may be sold unless the purchaser is provided with a manufacturer's written…

Any vehicle dealer who knowingly or with reason to know, buys or receives, sells or disposes of, conceals or has in the dealer's possession, any vehicle from which the motor or serial number has been removed, defaced, covered, altered, or destroyed, or any dealer, who removes fro…

The director may make any reasonable rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of chapter 46.70 RCW relating to the enforcement and proper operation thereof.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.70.160. Prior: 1959 c 166 s 21.]

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6354-S.SL) ***It is a misdemeanor for any person to violate any of the provisions of this chapter, except where expressly provided otherwise, and the rules adopted as provided under this chapter.[ 1986 c 241 s 17; 1965 c 68 s 5.]Notes:Rules of court: B…

Each of the following acts or practices is unlawful:(1) To cause or permit to be advertised, printed, displayed, published, distributed, broadcasted, televised, or disseminated in any manner whatsoever, any statement or representation with regard to the sale, lease, or financing …

Any vehicle dealer or manufacturer, by or against whom a petition in bankruptcy has been filed, shall, within ten days of the filing, notify the department of the proceedings in bankruptcy, including the identity and location of the court in which the proceedings are pending.[ 19…

Any person who is injured in his or her business or property by a violation of this chapter, or any person so injured because he or she refuses to accede to a proposal for an arrangement which, if consummated, would be in violation of this chapter, may bring a civil action in the…

The director may refer such evidence as may be available concerning violations of this chapter or of any rule or order hereunder to the attorney general or the proper prosecuting attorney, who may in his or her discretion, with or without such a reference, in addition to any othe…

In the enforcement of this chapter, the attorney general and/or any said prosecuting attorney may accept an assurance of compliance with the provisions of this chapter from any person deemed in violation hereof. Any such assurance shall be in writing and be filed with and subject…

Any person who violates the terms of any court order, or temporary or permanent injunction issued pursuant to this chapter, shall forfeit and pay a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars. For the purpose of this section the superior court issuing any injuncti…

Personal service of any process in an action under this chapter may be made upon any person outside the state if such person has engaged in conduct in violation of this chapter which has had the impact in this state which this chapter reprehends. Such person shall be deemed to ha…

The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to all franchises and contracts existing between vehicle dealers and manufacturers or factory branches and to all future franchises and contracts.[ 1986 c 241 s 22; 1967 ex.s. c 74 s 24.]

The provisions of this chapter shall be cumulative to existing laws: PROVIDED, That the violation of RCW 46.70.180 shall be construed as exclusively civil and not penal in nature.[ 1967 ex.s. c 74 s 25.]

The provisions of chapter 46.70 RCW shall apply to the distribution and sale of mobile homes and to mobile home dealers, distributors, manufacturers, factory representatives, or other persons engaged in such distribution and sale to the same extent as for motor vehicles.[ 1993 c …

(1) The provisions of this chapter relating to the licensing and regulation of vehicle dealers and manufacturers shall be exclusive, and no county, city, or other political subdivision of this state shall enact any laws, rules, or regulations licensing or regulating vehicle deale…

Any violation of this chapter is deemed to affect the public interest and constitutes a violation of chapter 19.86 RCW.[ 1986 c 241 s 23.]

The regulation of buyers' agents is a matter affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying chapter 19.86 RCW. Activities of buyers' agents prohibited under RCW 46.70.180 (11), (12), or (13) are not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business…

(1) A wholesale motor vehicle auction dealer may:(a) Sell any classification of motor vehicle;(b) Sell only to motor vehicle dealers and vehicle wreckers licensed under Title 46 RCW by the state of Washington or licensed by any other state; or(c) Sell a motor vehicle belonging to…