Title 46, MOTOR VEHICLES

"Truck" means every motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property. [ 1986 c 18 s 2.]

"Truck tractor" means every motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles but so constructed as to permit carrying a load in addition to part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn. [ 1986 c 18 s 3.]

"United States Naval Academy license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a design related to the United States Naval Academy. [ 2025 c 385 s 21.] Notes: Effective date—2025 c 385 ss 3-24: See note following RCW 44.04.300. Short title—2025 …

"Used vehicle" means a vehicle which has been sold, bargained, exchanged, given away, or title transferred from the person who first took title to it from the manufacturer or first importer, dealer, or agent of the manufacturer or importer, and so used as to have become what is c…

(1) "Vehicle" means a device capable of being moved upon a public highway and in, upon, or by which any persons or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway. (2) "Vehicle" excludes: (a) A power wheelchair or device other than a bicycle moved by human or ani…

"Vehicle license fee" means a fee collected by the state of Washington as a license fee, as that term is construed in Article II, section 40 of the state Constitution, for the act of registering a vehicle under chapter 46.16A RCW. "Vehicle license fee" does not include license pl…

"Vehicle or pedestrian right-of-way" means the right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching under such circumstances of direction, speed, and proximity as to give rise to danger of collision unless one…

"Vintage snowmobile" means a snowmobile manufactured at least thirty years ago. [ 2010 c 161 s 157.] 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 4…

"Washington apples license plate" means a special license plate under RCW 46.18.200 that displays the Washington apple logo. [ 2020 c 93 s 4.] Notes: Effective date—2020 c 93: See note following RCW 46.18.200.

"Washington farmers and ranchers license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a symbol or artwork recognizing Washington farmers and ranchers. [ 2016 c 36 s 5.] Notes: Effective date—2016 c 36: See note following RCW 46.18.200.

"Washington honey bees and pollinators license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display images of honey bees and pollinators. [ 2025 c 385 s 18.] Notes: Effective date—2025 c 385 ss 3-24: See note following RCW 44.04.300. Short title—2025 c 385…

"Washington Lighthouses license plates" means license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a symbol or artwork recognizing the efforts of lighthouse environmental programs in Washington state. [ 2011 c 171 s 21; 2005 c 48 s 2.] Notes: Intent—Effective date—2011 c 171: S…

"Washington state aviation license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display images of a Stearman biplane and Mount Rainier. [ 2017 c 11 s 5.] Notes: Finding—Intent—2017 c 11: See note following RCW 46.18.200.

"Washington state parks license plates" means special license plates displaying a symbol or artwork recognizing Washington state parks as premier destinations of uncommon quality that preserve significant natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources. [ 2010 c 161 s 1…

"Washington state wrestling license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a symbol or artwork recognizing Washington state wrestling. [ 2016 c 15 s 5.] Notes: Effective date—2016 c 15: See note following RCW 46.18.200.

"Washington tennis license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a symbol or artwork recognizing tennis in Washington state. [ 2016 c 16 s 5.] Notes: Effective date—2016 c 16: See note following RCW 46.18.200.

"Washington wine license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a landscape of Washington's wine regions. [ 2022 c 117 s 4.] Notes: Effective date—2022 c 117: See note following RCW 46.17.220.

"Washington's fish license plate collection" means the collection of fish license plate designs. Each license plate design displays a distinct symbol or artwork, to include steelhead, recognizing the fish of Washington. [ 2016 c 30 s 2.] Notes: Effective date—2016 c 30: See note …

"Washington's National Park Fund license plates" means license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a symbol or artwork recognizing the efforts of Washington's National Park Fund in preserving Washington's national parks for future generations in Washington state. [ 201…

"Washington's wildlife license plate collection" means the collection of three separate license plate designs. Each license plate design displays a distinct symbol or artwork, to include bear, deer, and elk, recognizing the wildlife of Washington. [ 2010 c 161 s 159.] Notes: Effe…

"We love our pets license plates" means license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a symbol or artwork recognizing the efforts of the Washington state federation of animal care and control agencies in Washington state that assists local member agencies of the federati…

"Wheelchair conveyance" means any vehicle specially manufactured or designed for the transportation of a physically or medically impaired wheelchair-bound person. The vehicle may be a separate vehicle used in lieu of a wheelchair or a separate vehicle used for transporting the im…

"Wild on Washington license plates" means special license plates that display a symbol or artwork symbolizing wildlife viewing in Washington state. [ 2010 c 161 s 161.] Notes: Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made durin…

"Working forests license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display images embodying working forests. [ 2025 c 385 s 15.] 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 4…

For the purposes of this title, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to ma…

The provisions of this title relating to certificates of title, registration certificates, vehicle licenses, vehicle license plates, and drivers' licenses shall be exclusive and no political subdivision of the state of Washington shall require or issue any licenses or certificate…

The provisions of this title relating to vehicles shall be applicable and uniform throughout this state and in all incorporated cities and towns and all political subdivisions therein and no local authority shall enact or enforce any law, ordinance, rule or regulation in conflict…

The provisions of this title relating to the operation of vehicles shall be applicable and uniform upon all persons operating vehicles upon the public highways of this state, except as otherwise specifically provided. [ 1961 c 12 s 46.08.030. Prior: 1937 c 189 s 3; RRS s 6360-3.]…

(1) It is unlawful for any public officer having charge of any vehicle owned or controlled by any county, city, town, or public body in this state other than the state of Washington and used in public business to operate the same upon the public highways of this state unless and …

(1) The department may issue confidential license plates to: (a) Units of local government and agencies of the federal government for law enforcement purposes only; (b) Any state official elected on a statewide basis for use on official business. Only one set of confidential lice…

A violation of any provision of RCW 46.08.065 as now or hereafter amended or of RCW 46.08.066 shall subject the public officer or employee committing such violation to disciplinary action by the appropriate appointing authority or employing agency. Such disciplinary action may in…

Any vehicle properly marked pursuant to statutory requirements in effect prior to September 8, 1975, need not be remarked to conform to the requirements of RCW 46.08.065 through 46.08.067 until July 1, 1977. [ 1975 1st ex.s. c 169 s 4.]

Subject to a compliance with the motor vehicle laws of the state and acceptance of the provisions of this title, nonresident owners and operators of vehicles hereby are granted the privilege of using the public highways of this state, and use of such public highways shall be deem…

The director of enterprise services shall have power to devise and promulgate rules and regulations for the control of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the parking of motor vehicles on the state capitol grounds. However, the monetary penalty for parking a motor vehicle withou…

The chief of the Washington state patrol shall be the chief enforcing officer to assure the proper enforcement of such rules and regulations. [ 1961 c 12 s 46.08.160. Prior: 1947 c 11 s 2; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 7921-21.]

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any violation of a rule or regulation prescribed under RCW 46.08.150 is a traffic infraction, and the district courts of Thurston county shall have jurisdiction over such offenses: PROVIDED, That violation of a rule or reg…

The director of the department of enterprise services shall establish equitable and consistent parking rental fees for the capitol campus and may, if requested by agencies, establish equitable and consistent parking rental fees for agencies off the capitol campus, to be charged t…

(1) The legislative authority of a city or county may by ordinance or resolution create a golf cart zone, for the purposes of permitting the incidental operation of golf carts, as defined in RCW 46.04.1945, upon a street or highway of this state having a speed limit of twenty-fiv…

(1) Publicly available electric vehicle supply equipment must be indicated by vertical signage identifying the station as publicly available electric vehicle supply equipment and indicating that it is only for electric vehicle charging. The signage must be consistent with the man…

Every district and municipal court judge shall have concurrent jurisdiction with superior court judges of the state for all violations of the provisions of this title, except the trial of felony charges on the merits, and may impose any punishment provided therefor. [ 1995 c 136 …

(1) The name, residence address, and mailing address (if different) submitted by an applicant for a driver's license or other permit, identicard, certificate of title, or vehicle or vessel registration is the name and address of record for the person. (2)(a) If an applicant for o…

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all lands in this state. Nothing in this chapter, RCW 79A.35.040, 79A.35.070, 79A.35.090, 79A.35.110, and 79A.35.120 shall be deemed to grant to any person the right or authority to enter upon private property without permission of th…

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Advisory committee" means the nonhighway and off-road vehicle activities advisory committee established in RCW 46.09.340. (2) "Board" means the recreation and conserv…

(1) The application for a certificate of title of an off-road vehicle must be made by the owner or owner's representative to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director on a form furnished or approved by the department and must contain: (a…

Vehicles titled under this chapter are exempt from the vehicle identification number inspection required in RCW 46.12.560. [ 2025 c 10 s 2.] Notes: Effective date—2025 c 10: See note following RCW 46.12.560.

(1) Each dealer of off-road vehicles in this state shall obtain either a miscellaneous vehicle dealer license as defined in RCW 46.70.011 or an off-road vehicle dealer license from the department in a manner prescribed by the department. Upon receipt of an application for an off-…