Title 46, MOTOR VEHICLES

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 …

"Horseless carriage license plate" is a special license plate that may be assigned to a vehicle manufactured or built before January 1, 1916, and meets the qualifications listed in RCW 46.18.255. [ 2025 c 332 s 2; 2017 c 147 s 1; 2010 c 161 s 120.] Notes: Effective date—2025 c 33…

"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 am…

(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 z…

"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 …

"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 4.2…

"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…

"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 follo…

"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 …

"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 titl…

"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 s…

(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:…

"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 …

"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 6…

"Military affiliate radio system license plates" means special license plates displaying official military affiliate radio system call letters assigned by the United States department of defense. [ 2010 c 161 s 124.] Notes: Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 1…

"Mobile home" or "manufactured home" means a structure, designed and constructed to be transportable in one or more sections, and is built on a permanent chassis, and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities…

"Modular home" means a factory-assembled structure designed primarily for use as a dwelling when connected to the required utilities that include plumbing, heating, and electrical systems contained therein, does not contain its own running gear, and must be mounted on a permanent…

"Moped" means a motorized device designed to travel with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and having an electric or a liquid fuel motor with a cylinder displacement not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters which produces no more than two gross brake horsepower (…

"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…