RCW 46.16A.010 Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise: (1) “Commercial motor vehicle,” for the purposes of requiring a department of transportation number, means the same as defined in RCW 46.25.010(6), or a motor vehicle used in commerce when the motor vehicle: (a) Has a gross vehicle weight rating […]
RCW 46.16A.020 Registration year assigned—Registration month—Registration period—When registration does not expire. (1) The department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director shall assign a new registration year to a vehicle if: (a) The registered ownership of the vehicle is being transferred, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section. The […]
RCW 46.16A.025 Adjustment of vehicle registration periods to stagger renewal periods. The department may by rule extend or reduce vehicle registration periods for the purpose of staggering renewal periods. The rules may exclude any classes or classifications of vehicles from the staggered renewal system and may provide for the gradual introduction of classes or classifications […]
RCW 46.16A.030 Registration and display of plates required—Penalties—Expired registration, impoundment. (1) Vehicles must be registered as required by this chapter and must display license plates or decals assigned by the department. (2) It is unlawful for a person to operate any vehicle on a public highway of this state without having in full force and […]
RCW 46.16A.040 Original registration—Application—Form and contents. (1) An owner or the owner’s authorized representative must apply for an original vehicle registration to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director on a form furnished by the department. The application must contain: (a) A description of the vehicle, including its make, […]
RCW 46.16A.050 Registration—Requirements before issuance—Penalty—Rules. (1) The department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director shall not issue an initial registration certificate for a motor vehicle to a natural person under this chapter unless the natural person at time of application: (a) Presents an unexpired Washington state driver’s license; or (b) […]
RCW 46.16A.060 Registration—Emission control inspections required—Exemptions—Educational information—Rules. (1) The department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director may not issue or renew a motor vehicle registration or change the registered owner of a registered vehicle for any motor vehicle required to be inspected under chapter 70A.25 RCW, unless the application for […]
RCW 46.16A.070 Registration—Cancellation, refusal, etc.—Appeals. (1) The department may refuse to issue or may cancel a registration certificate at any time when the department determines that an applicant for registration is not entitled to a registration certificate. Notice of cancellation may be accomplished by sending a notice by first-class mail using the last known address […]
RCW 46.16A.080 Registration—Exemptions. The following vehicles are not required to be registered under this chapter: (1) Converter gears used to convert a semitrailer into a trailer or a two-axle truck or tractor into a three or more axle truck or tractor or used in any other manner to increase the number of axles of a […]
RCW 46.16A.090 Registration—Voluntary and opt-out donations—Discover pass. (1) The department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director must provide an opportunity for a vehicle owner to make a voluntary donation as provided in this section when applying for an initial or renewal vehicle registration. (2)(a) A vehicle owner who registers a […]
RCW 46.16A.100 Registration—Federal heavy vehicle use tax. The department may refuse registration of a vehicle if the applicant has failed to furnish proof, acceptable to the department, that the federal heavy vehicle use tax imposed by section 4481 of the internal revenue code of 1954 has been paid. The department may adopt rules as deemed […]
RCW 46.16A.110 Registration renewal—Exemptions. (1) A registered owner or the registered owner’s authorized representative must apply for a renewal vehicle registration to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director on a form approved by the director. The application for a renewal vehicle registration must be accompanied by a draft, […]
RCW 46.16A.120 Forwarding and payment of standing, stopping, and parking violations and other infractions required before registration renewal. (1) Each court and government agency located in this state having jurisdiction over standing, stopping, and parking violations, the use of a photo toll system under RCW 46.63.160, the use of automated traffic safety cameras under RCW […]
RCW 46.16A.130 Notice of liability insurance requirement. The department shall notify motor vehicle owners of the liability insurance requirements described in RCW 46.30.020 through 46.30.040 at the time of issuance of an original motor vehicle registration and when the department sends a motor vehicle registration renewal notice. [ 2010 c 161 § 429; 1989 c […]
RCW 46.16A.140 “Resident” defined—Natural person residency requirements—Vehicle registration required. (1) For the purposes of vehicle registration, a resident is a person who manifests an intent to live or be located in this state on more than a temporary or transient basis. Evidence of residency includes, but is not limited to: (a) Becoming a registered voter […]
RCW 46.16A.150 Purchasing a vehicle with foreign plates. A person may not purchase a vehicle displaying foreign license plates without removing and destroying the license plates unless: (1) The out-of-state vehicle is sold to a Washington resident by a resident of a jurisdiction where the license plates follow the owner; (2) The out-of-state license plates […]
RCW 46.16A.160 Nonresident exemption—Reciprocity—Rules. (1) The provisions of this chapter relating to the registration of vehicles and display of license plates and registration certificates do not apply to vehicles owned by nonresidents of this state if: (a) The owner has complied with the law requiring the registration of vehicles in the names of the owners […]
RCW 46.16A.170 Exemptions from vehicle license fees—State and publicly owned vehicles. (1) The following vehicles are exempt from the payment of vehicle license fees: (a) Any vehicle owned, rented, or leased by the state of Washington, or by any county, city, town, school district, or other political subdivision of the state of Washington and used […]
RCW 46.16A.175 Exemptions from vehicle license fees—Vehicles owned by Indian tribes—Conditions. (1) The provisions of this chapter relating to registering vehicles by this state, including the display of license plates and registration certificates, do not apply to vehicles owned or leased by the governing body of an Indian tribe located within this state and recognized […]
RCW 46.16A.180 Registration certificates—Formats—Requirements—Penalty—Exception—Manual removal of registrant’s address. (1) A registration certificate must be: (a) Signed by the registered owner, or if a firm or corporation, the signature of one of its officers or other authorized agent, to be valid; (b) Carried in the vehicle for which it is issued; and (c) Provided to law […]
