Title 46 — Title 46 MOTOR VEHICLES

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…

(1)(a) Before the department may issue a temporary subagency license to a recreational vehicle dealer engaged in offering new or new and used recreational vehicles for sale at a recreational vehicle show, a recreational vehicle dealer of new or new and used recreational vehicles …

(1) A vehicle dealer shall, prior to the sale and transfer of a vehicle, offer the purchaser the option to have the dealer clearly and permanently mark the last eight digits of the originating vehicle's vehicle identification number on the vehicle's catalytic converter unless suc…

(1) A manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of a motor vehicle is not liable for any loss, injury, or damages caused by the design, manufacture, installation, improper installation, use, or misuse of an intelligent speed assistance device. However, liability does exist if the ma…

All provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that deceptive practices or commission of fraud or misrepresentation in the sale, lease, barter, or disposition of vehicles in this state may be prohibited and prevented, and irresponsible, unreliable, or dish…

The automotive repair industry supports good communication between auto repair facilities and their customers. The legislature recognizes that improved communications and accurate representations between automotive repair facilities and the customers will: Increase consumer confi…

For purposes of this chapter:(1) An "aftermarket body part" or "nonoriginal equipment manufacturer body part" is an exterior body panel or nonstructural body component manufactured by someone other than the original equipment manufacturer and supplied through suppliers other than…

(1) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 46.71.025, all estimates that exceed one hundred dollars shall be in writing and include the following information: The date; the name, address, and telephone number of the repair facility; the name, address, and telephone number, if availa…

Except for parts covered by a manufacturer's or other warranty or parts that must be returned to a distributor, remanufacturer, or rebuilder, the repair facility shall return replaced parts to the customer at the time the work is completed if the customer requested the parts at t…

(1) Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4) of this section, a repair facility prior to providing parts or labor shall provide the customer or the customer's designee with a written price estimate of the total cost of the repair, including parts and labor, or where collisio…

An automotive repair facility shall post in a prominent place on the business premises one or more signs, readily visible to customers, in the following form:"YOUR CUSTOMER RIGHTSYOU ARE ENTITLED BY LAW TO:1.A WRITTEN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS WHICH WILL COST MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED DOL…

An automotive repair facility that fails to comply with the estimate requirements of RCW 46.71.025 is barred from recovering in an action to recover for automotive repairs any amount in excess of one hundred ten percent of the amount authorized by the customer, or the customer's …

A repair facility that fails to comply with RCW 46.71.021, 46.71.025, or 46.71.031 is barred from asserting a possessory or chattel lien for the amount of the unauthorized parts or labor upon the motor vehicle or component.[ 1993 c 424 s 8.]Notes:Severability—Effective date—1993 …

Each of the following acts or practices are unlawful:(1) Advertising that is false, deceptive, or misleading. A single or isolated media mistake does not constitute a false, deceptive, or misleading statement or misrepresentation under this section;(2) Materially understating or …

The repair facility shall make available, upon request, a copy of any express warranty provided by the repair facility to the customer that covers repairs performed on the vehicle.[ 1993 c 424 s 10.]Notes:Severability—Effective date—1993 c 424: See notes following RCW 46.71.005.

Every automotive repair facility shall retain and make available for inspection, upon request by the customer or the customer's authorized representative, true copies of the written price estimates and invoices required under this chapter for at least one year after the date on w…

The legislature finds that the practices covered by this chapter are matters vitally affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying the Consumer Protection Act, chapter 19.86 RCW. Violations of this chapter are not reasonable in relation to the development and preserva…

Whenever a vehicle license renewal form under RCW 46.16A.110 is given to the registered owner of any vehicle, the department of licensing shall give to the owner written notice of the provisions of this chapter in a manner prescribed by the director of licensing.[ 2011 c 171 s 93…

When the department of revenue issues a registration certificate under RCW 82.32.030 to an automotive repair facility, it must give written notice to the person of the requirements of this chapter in a manner prescribed by the director of revenue, including by electronic means. T…

Any automotive repair facility may apply for a transporter's license under chapter 46.76 RCW for the purpose of evaluating vehicles in need of repair, or that have been repaired, on the public roads of this state.[ 2018 c 16 s 5.]

The legislature finds and declares that privately operated for hire transportation service is a vital part of the transportation system within the state. Consequently, the safety, reliability, and stability of privately operated for hire transportation services are matters of sta…

When used in this chapter:(1) The term "for hire vehicle" includes all vehicles used for the transportation of passengers for compensation, except auto stages, school buses operating exclusively under a contract to a school district, ride-sharing vehicles under chapter 46.74 RCW,…

No for hire operator shall cause operation of a for hire vehicle upon any highway of this state without first obtaining a permit from the director of licensing, except for those for hire operators regulated by cities or counties in accordance with chapter 81.72 RCW. Application f…

Application for a permit shall be forwarded to the director with a fee. Upon receipt of such application and fee, the director shall, if such application be in proper form, issue a permit authorizing the applicant to operate for hire vehicles upon the highways of this state until…

RCW 46.72.040 and 46.72.050 do not apply to personal vehicles under chapter 48.177 RCW.[ 2015 c 236 s 3.]

Before a permit is issued every for hire operator shall be required to deposit and thereafter keep on file with the director a surety bond running to the state of Washington covering each and every for hire vehicle as may be owned or leased by him or her and used in the conduct o…

In lieu of the surety bond as provided in this chapter, there may be deposited and kept on file and in force with the director a public liability insurance policy covering each and every motor vehicle operated or intended to be so operated, executed by an insurance company licens…

Every person having a cause of action for damages against any person, firm, or corporation receiving a permit under the provisions of this chapter, for injury, damages, or wrongful death caused by any careless, negligent, or unlawful act of any such person, firm, or corporation o…

The director shall approve and file all bonds and policies of insurance. The director shall, upon receipt of fees and after approving the bond or policy, furnish the owner with an appropriate certificate which must be carried in a conspicuous place in the vehicle at all times dur…

In the event the owner substitutes a policy or bond after a for hire certificate has been issued, a new certificate shall be issued to the owner. The owner shall submit the substituted bond or policy to the director for approval, together with a fee. If the director approves the …

(1) In addition to the unprofessional conduct specified in RCW 18.235.130, the director may take disciplinary action if he or she has good reason to believe that one of the following is true of the operator or the applicant for a permit or certificate: (a) He or she is guilty of …

All fees received by the director under the provisions of this chapter must be transmitted by him or her, together with a proper identifying report, to the state treasurer to be deposited by the state treasurer in the highway safety fund. Appropriations from the highway safety fu…

The director is empowered to make and enforce such rules and regulations, including the setting of fees, as may be consistent with and necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.[ 1992 c 114 s 5; 1967 c 32 s 88; 1961 c 12 s 46.72.120. Prior: 1947 c 253 s 11; Rem. Supp.…

No operator of a taxicab licensed or possessing a permit in another state to transport passengers for hire, and principally engaged as a for hire operator in another state, shall cause the operation of a taxicab upon any highway of this state without first obtaining an annual per…

All law enforcement officers shall refuse every taxicab entry into this state which does not have a certificate from the director on the vehicle.[ 1967 c 32 s 90; 1961 c 12 s 46.72.140. Prior: 1951 c 219 s 2. Formerly RCW 81.72.140.]

RCW 46.72.130 and 46.72.140 shall be inoperative to operators of taxicabs residing and licensed in any state which allows Washington operators of taxicabs to use such state's highways free from such regulations.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.72.150. Prior: 1951 c 219 s 3. Formerly RCW 81.72.15…

Cities, counties, and port districts may license, control, and regulate all for hire vehicles operating within their respective jurisdictions. The power to regulate includes:(1) Regulating entry into the business of providing for hire vehicle transportation services;(2) Requiring…