Washington

Department of Licensing (DOL)
1125 Washington Street, SE
Olympia, WA 98507-9020
(360) 902-3600 | www.dol.wa.gov

Washington State Patrol
General Administration Building
P.O. Box 42600 Olympia, WA 98504-2600
(360) 753-6540 | www.wsp.wa.gov

Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT)
Transportation Building 310 Maple Park Avenue, SE
P.O. Box 47300
Olympia, WA 98504-7300
(360) 705-7000 | www.wsdot.wa.gov

Department of Ecology (DOE)
Air Quality Program – Vehicle Emission
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
(360) 407-6000 | www.ecy.wa.gov

The application for a certificate of ownership must contain: (1) a description of the vehicle including the VIN, odometer reading at the time of delivery, and any distinguishing marks of identification; (2) the name and address of the registered owner and any lienholders; (3) and any other information the DOL may require.

If a vehicle is titled in another state, the application must be accompanied by the most current title issued by that state. The DOL will accept a copy of the current title when it is being held by the lienholder and is not available.

If a certificate of ownership is lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed or becomes illegible, the first priority secured party or, if none, the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate must promptly apply for a duplicate.

It is unlawful for any person under the age of 18 to be the registered or legal owner of any motor vehicle unless the person is emancipated or became the registered or legal owner of a motor vehicle while a non-resident of the state.

It is unlawful for any person to convey, sell, or transfer the ownership of any motor vehicle to any person under the age of 18.

If an owner transfers his or her interest in a vehicle, other than by the creation, deletion, or change of a security interest, the owner must, at the time of the delivery of the vehicle, execute an assignment to the transferee and provide an odometer disclosure statement, and deliver the certificate and assignment to the buyer or transferee. The seller must notify the DOL of the date of the sale or transfer, the name and address of the buyer, the buyer’s driver’s license number if available, and a description of the vehicle including the VIN or the license plate number or both. The seller must file the notice within 5 business days of the transfer.

The new owner must apply for a new certificate of ownership within 15 days after delivery of the vehicle.

An odometer disclosure statement must accompany every application for a certificate of ownership unless the vehicle has a declared Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of more than 16,000 lbs., the vehicle is not self-propelled, the vehicle is 10 years old or older, the vehicle is sold directly by a manufacturer to a federal agency, or the vehicle is a new vehicle before its first retail sale.

The certificate of ownership for a manufactured home may be eliminated or not issued when the manufactured home is registered as real property. When the certificate of ownership is eliminated or not issued, the application for license must be recorded in the county property records of the county where the real property to which the home is affixed is located. All license fees and taxes applicable to the mobile home as a vehicle must be collected prior to recording the ownership with the county auditor.

When the ownership of a mobile home is transferred and the new owner applies for a new certificate of ownership, the DOL or county auditor must notify the county assessor of the county where the mobile home is located of the change in ownership including the name and address of the new owner and the name of the former owner. A certificate of ownership for a mobile home will not be transferred or issued until the DOL has verified that any property taxes due on the mobile home have been paid.

In order to transfer ownership of a mobile home, all registered owners of record must sign the title certificate releasing their ownership.

Any person moving a mobile home on public highways must obtain a special permit from the DOT and local authorities. A special permit will not be valid until the county treasurer of the county in which the mobile home is located has endorsed or attached his certificate to the permit certifying that all property taxes on the mobile home have been satisfied.

Registration applications must be made to the DOL or an agent of the DOL including county auditors.

Vehicle license plates and registration will not be issued unless the applicant simultaneously applies for a certificate of ownership or proves that a certificate of ownership has already been issued.

A resident of the state must register a vehicle that is to be operated on the highways of the state. New Washington residents have 30 days from the date they become residents to register their vehicles. A resident is a person who shows intent to live or be located in the state on more than a temporary or transient basis. Evidence of residency includes but is not limited to registering to vote in the state, receiving public assistance benefits from the state, or declaring residency for the purpose of obtaining a state license or in-state tuition.

There is no period of grace for late registration.

Temporary permits are available when an application is pending and also may be issued by an authorized vehicle dealer. The temporary permit must remain affixed to the vehicle until the receipt of permanent license plates.

Temporary dealer licenses are effective for 45 days.

Vehicle licenses and license plates may be renewed for the subsequent registration year up to 18 months before the current expiration date and must be used and displayed from the date of issue or from the day of the expiration of the preceding year, whichever date is later.

All parking fines must be paid before a registration can be renewed.

The certificate of license registration must be signed by the owner and carried in the vehicle at all times.

The registration and license plate requirements of the state do not apply to any vehicles owned by non-residents of the state if the owner has complied with the vehicle registration requirements in his or her state of residency and that state grants similar privileges to Washington residents. Foreign businesses owning, maintaining, or operating places of business in the state must register motor vehicles used in connection with the business in the state.

Non-resident military personnel on active duty in Washington may maintain home state registration or they may obtain a Washington license.

Passenger vehicle registrations must be renewed annually.

Vehicles 5 through 25 years old registered in parts of Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Spokane counties must pass an emission inspection test every 2 years. Vehicles with even-numbered model years must be inspected in even-numbered years, and vehicles with odd-numbered model years must be inspected in odd-numbered years.

A vehicle will be granted a certificate of acceptance if: (1) it failed its first inspection; (2) it failed a re-inspection; (3) it has been used for more than 50,000 miles; (4) all primary emission control components installed by the vehicle manufacturer, or its appropriate replacement are installed and operative; and (5) the owner has provided receipts for repairs performed by an authorized emission specialist between the first and last inspections. Repairs for a pre-1981 vehicle must be at least $100, and repairs for a 1981 or newer vehicle must total at least $150.

OBD is utilized as part of the state emissions inspection process.

Beginning July 2012, 2009 and newer model cars will be exempt from emission testing. The emissions inspection program is scheduled to expire in 2019.

No person may operate a motor vehicle or permit someone to operate a motor vehicle that is in such unsafe condition as to endanger any person, or which does not contain the parts and equipment, in proper condition and adjustment, as required by law.

Visit the Washington State Vehicle Emission Inspection Program website for more information.

Commercial motor vehicles are subject to periodic inspections.

Please visit the Washington Department of Licensing for more information on vehicle and drivers licensing fees.

All motor vehicles, except trailers, campers, collector vehicles, and motorcycles, are issued 2 license plates. Trailers, campers, collector vehicles, and motorcycles are issued 1 plate.

If a vehicle is issued 2 plates, 1 plate must be displayed on the front of the vehicle, and 1 plate must be displayed on the rear. If 1 plate is issued, that plate must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. Each vehicle license plate must be placed or hung in a horizontal position at a distance of not less than 1 foot or more than 4 feet from the ground and must be kept clean so as to be plainly seen and read at all times. Any holders, frames, or any materials that in any manner change, alter, or make the vehicle license plate illegible are prohibited.

Current registration tabs are affixed to the rear license plate as indicated on the license plate to identify the registration expiration month or year for a specific vehicle.

The color scheme for license plates is red and blue on white.

Numerous specialty license plates are available.

Disabled license plates or placards are available by application to the DOL or authorized agents located throughout the state. Proof of disability must be provided by the DOL and signed by both the disabled person and his or her physician.

The owner of a vehicle licensed with standard issue license plates has the option of retaining the vehicle license plates and using them on a replacement vehicle and paying a $10 license plate transfer fee. Retained license plates must be transferred to a vehicle requiring the same type of plate.

When any person who has been issued personalized license plates sells, trades, or otherwise releases ownership of the vehicle upon which the personalized license plates have been displayed, he or she must immediately report the transfer of the plates to a new vehicle or camper eligible for the plates, or he or she must surrender such plates to the DOL and release his or her rights to the letters or numbers displayed on the plates.

A person may not purchase a vehicle bearing foreign license plates without removing and destroying the plates unless the out-of-state vehicle is sold to a Washington resident by a resident of a jurisdiction where the license plates follow the owner. The buyer may also return the plates to the jurisdiction of issuance.

The driver’s licensing examination includes a vision test (20/40 visual acuity is required in at least one eye), a written knowledge test, and a driving skills test.

No person may be issued a commercial driver’s license unless that person has passed a knowledge and skills test for driving a commercial motor vehicle that complies with minimum federal standards.

All applicants for a driver’s license or renewal must take a vision test administered by the DOL.

An applicant for a basic driver’s license is not required to take the knowledge and driving skills tests if the applicant is surrendering a valid driver’s license issued by the applicant’s previous home state, has not failed a Washington driving test, or has not failed a Washington knowledge test.

Washington State has a system of graduated licensing for teen drivers. A person is eligible for a permit at 15 years of age if the person is enrolled in an accredited traffic safety education program. At 15 1/2, teens who are not yet enrolled in driver’s education are eligible for a learner’s/instruction permit.

• A person holding a permit may drive a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, on the public highways if an approved instructor or a licensed driver with at least 5 years of experience occupies the seat beside the driver.

At 16, teens who have held a permit for at least 6 months are eligible for an intermediate license. Teens must also pass a driving skills examination and an accredited traffic safety education program to receive an intermediate license.

• Parents, guardians, or employers must certify that intermediate license applicants have at least 50 hours of driving experience (10 at night) with someone at least 21 years old who has had a valid driver’s license for at least 5 years.
• Intermediate license applicants must not have been adjudicated for an offense involving the use of drugs or alcohol during the period the applicant held a permit.
• For the first 6 months, the intermediate license holder may not operate a motor vehicle that is carrying any passengers under the age of 20 who are not members of the licensee’s immediate family.
• For the next 6 months, the licensee may not operate a motor vehicle that is carrying more than 3 passengers who are under the age of 20 and who are not members of the licensee’s immediate family.
• Intermediate license holders are also prohibited from driving unsupervised between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. except when accompanied by a parent, guardian, or a licensed driver who is at least 25 years of age.
• An intermediate licensee may drive at any hour with any number of passengers in the vehicle if, for the 12-month period following the issuance of the intermediate license, the licensee has not been involved in a crash and has not been convicted of or found to have committed a traffic offense.
• After 1 year of driving without collisions or traffic citations, teens are allowed to drive without limitation as to the time of day or the age and number of passengers.

At age 18 the intermediate license automatically becomes a regular license.

When transferring from another state an applicant must have at least a current or recently expired (60 days or less), license, identification card, or instruction permit from their previous state and 2 additional documents for identification. Most federally issued documents with photo and signature are accepted without additional documentation. If further documentation is required, Washington Driver’s License Offices have a brochure to assist in the identification process.

License includes a color photograph.

License does not include a Social Security number or social insurance number but a Social Security number is required on application.  Individuals who have never been issued a Social Security number can still apply for a license or identification card, but will be required to provide proof of residence in Washington state.

New residents must obtain a valid Washington driver’s license within 30 days from the date they become residents. To qualify for a Washington driver’s license, a person must surrender to the DOL all valid driver’s licenses that any other jurisdiction has issued to him or her.

The parent or guardian of a minor applicant must show proof of identity and proof of relationship to the applicant. When last names are different, additional documents that show the link between the minor and the parent will be required.

All applicants for a driver’s license or instruction permit must provide their name of record and date of birth as established by 1 of the required identification documents; their sex; their Washington residence address; their description; and their driving licensing history.

A student who maintains his or her legal home of record at a location outside Washington state, or the spouse or dependent of the student, who is at least 16 years of age, is exempt from holding a Washington driver’s license. The student must be enrolled as a full-time non-resident student at an accredited institution of higher learning in Washington.

A person’s 1st Washington driver’s license expires on the person’s 5th (6th, effective October 1, 2012) birthday after it was issued.

A license may be renewed at any Licensing Services Office (LSO). The applicant must appear in person and pass a vision test. If the license has a corrective lens restriction, and the applicant would like to have it removed, he or she may request that his or her vision be tested without corrective lenses.

A license may be renewed as much as 1 year ahead of its expiration date.

An application for driver’s license renewal may be submitted by means of personal appearance before the department or via mail or online if permitted by department rule and the applicant did not renew his or her license by mail or online when it last expired. If a qualified person submits an application by mail or online, he or she is not required to pass an examination nor provide an updated photograph.

No online renewals permitted after age 70. No online renewal permitted if a medical condition exists that requires monitoring.

A Washington driver’s license issued to a service member, or the spouse or dependent child living with the service member, remains in effect while the person is serving in the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty.

• The license is valid until 90 days after the honorable discharge from service duty, unless it is suspended, cancelled, or revoked for cause as provided by law. If separation from the service is other than honorable, the military expiration is immediately void and you must apply for a renewal license. A license with a military expiration issued to a reservist who has been called to active duty, or the spouse or dependent child of the reservist, only remains in effect while the person remains on active duty.

A basic non-commercial driver’s license is issued to a driver who has sufficient experience operating a non-commercial passenger vehicle.

• A Class A commercial driver’s license is for a combination of vehicles with a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of more than 26,000 lbs. if the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 lbs.
• A Class B commercial driver’s license is for a combination of vehicles with a GCWR of more than 26,000 lbs. if the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is not in excess of 10,000 lbs.
• A Class C commercial driver’s license is for a single vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 lbs. or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not in excess of 10,000 lbs.

No person shall use a hand-held phone while driving. Text messaging while driving is also prohibited. Instruction permit and intermediate license holders are prohibited from using any wireless communication device while driving.

Citizen band radio channel 9 is monitored for emergency calls. Emergency cell number is 911.

Wearing any headset or earphones connected to any electronic device capable of receiving a radio broadcast or playing a sound recording, in which the headset or earphones muffle or exclude other sounds, is not permitted while driving. Exempts motorcycle helmets with approved built-in headsets, and hands-free wireless communications systems.

State law requires drivers to vacate the lane closest to stationary emergency vehicles, including tow trucks, if they are traveling in the same direction and it is safe to do so. If not, drivers are required to slow down and may not exceed the speed limit within 200 feet before and after a stationary emergency vehicle that has its flashing lights activated.

Seat belts or appropriate child safety seats are required for the driver and all passengers.

Violation of the seat belt law is a standard offense.

Riding in the cargo area of a pickup truck is permitted.

Seat belts or appropriate child safety seats are required for children under age 16.

An appropriate fitting child restraint system, installed in accordance with the instructions of the vehicle manufacturer and child restraint system, is required until a child is age 8, unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller

Children under age 13 must be in the rear seat where it is practical to do so.

Violation of the child restraint law is a standard offense.

A driver must stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of a railroad under any of the following circumstances: when a clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a train; when a crossing gate is lowered or a human flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a train; or when an approaching train is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to such crossing. The driver must not proceed until the crossing can be made safely.

No person may drive any vehicle through, around, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while the gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.

When a stop sign is erected at a railroad crossing, the driver of a vehicle must stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of the railroad and must proceed only upon exercising due care.

Upon overtaking or meeting from either direction any school bus which has stopped on the roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children, the driver of any other vehicle must stop before reaching the school bus if the bus has its flashing red lights activated or a stop sign extended. The driver must not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or visual signals are no longer activated. School districts may install and operate automated school bus safety cameras on school buses to be used for the detection of violations of this law.

The driver of a vehicle on a divided highway or on a highway with 3 or more marked traffic lanes need not stop upon meeting a school bus that is proceeding in the opposite direction.

A passenger vehicle may not be modified from the original design so that any portion of the vehicle other than the wheels has less clearance from the surface of a level roadway than the clearance between the roadway and the lowermost portion of any rim of any wheel the tire on which is in contact with the roadway.

Headlights are required to be on when visibility is less than 1000 feet.

Hazard light use is not permitted except to indicate a traffic hazard.

Tire chain (and alternative traction devices, effective June 7, 2012) usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.

Studded tires are permitted November 1 to March 31.

The maximum level of film sunscreening material to be applied to any window, except the windshield, must have a total reflectance of 35% or less, and a light transmission of 24% or more. Installation of more than a single sheet of film sunscreening material to any window is prohibited.

A greater degree of light reduction is permitted on all windows and the top 6 inches of windshields operated by or carrying as a passenger a person who possesses a written medical exemption from a licensed physician.

A greater degree of light reduction is permitted on the top 6-inch area of a vehicle’s windshield as long as the product is transparent and does not extend into the AS-1 portion of the windshield. Clear film sunscreening material that reduces or eliminates ultraviolet light may be applied to the windshield.

The following types of film sunscreening material are not permitted: mirror finish products; red, gold, yellow, or black material; or film sunscreening material that is in liquid preapplication form and brushed or sprayed on.

Sunscreening devices may be applied to any window behind the driver as long the device reduces the driver’s field of vision uniformly and by no more than 50%. If sunscreening devices are applied to the rear window, the vehicle must be equipped with outside rearview mirrors on both the left and right.

No person may drive any motor vehicle equipped with any television viewer, screen, or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast when the moving images are visible to the driver while operating the motor vehicle on a public road, except for live video of the motor vehicle backing up.

Prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

These are prohibited unless official and cannot obstruct vision.

N/A.

Every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle must have its headlamps and tail-lamps lighted whenever the vehicle is in motion on a highway.

Every motorcycle and every motor-driven cycle must be equipped with at least 1 headlamp. Every motorcycle other than a motor-driven cycle must be equipped with multiple-beam road-lighting equipment.

Every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle must be equipped with a license plate lamp, a rear red reflector, and a stop lamp.

Any motorcycle 25 years old or less must be equipped with mirrors on the left and right side of the motorcycle that provide the driver a complete view of the highway for a distance of not less than 200 feet to the rear of the motorcycle.

Any person riding or operating a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or moped must wear an approved helmet.

No person may transport a person under the age of 5 on a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle.

No person may operate any motor-driven cycle during nighttime or periods of poor visibility at a speed of greater than 35 mph unless the motor-driven cycle is equipped with a headlamp or lamps which are adequate to reveal a person or vehicle at a distance of 300 feet ahead.

A person operating a motorcycle must ride only upon the permanent and regular seat, and the operator must not carry any other person nor may any other person ride on a motorcycle unless the motorcycle is designed to carry more than 1 person. The motorcycle must contain foot pegs for each person the motorcycle is designed to carry.

No person may operate on a public highway a motorcycle with handlebars or grips that are more than 30 inches higher than the seat of the saddle for the operator.

No person may drive a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle unless such person has a valid driver’s license specially endorsed by the DOL to authorize the holder to drive such vehicles.

A person holding a valid driver’s license who wishes to learn to ride a motorcycle may apply for a motorcycle instruction permit. The DOL will issue an instruction permit after the applicant has passed all parts of the motorcycle examination other than the driving test.

A person holding a motorcycle instruction permit may drive a motorcycle on the public highways if the person has immediate possession of the permit and a driver’s license. A permit holder may not carry passengers and may not operate a motorcycle during hours of darkness. A motorcycle instruction permit is valid for 90 days.

The DOL may waive all or part of the motorcycle endorsement examination for persons who satisfactorily complete the voluntary motorcycle operator training and education program.

No person may modify the exhaust system of a motorcycle in a manner that will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the engine of the vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle.

No person may operate a moped on the highways of the state unless the moped has been assigned a moped registration number and properly displays that number.

A person 16 years of age or older, holding a valid driver’s license of any class issued by the state of the person’s residence, may operate a moped without taking any special examination for the operation of a moped. No driver’s license is required for operation of an electric-assisted bicycle if the operator is at least 16 years of age. Persons under 16 years of age may not operate an electric-assisted bicycle.

A moped may not be operated on a bicycle path or trail, bikeway, equestrian trail, or hiking or recreational trail.

No person may operate a moped or an electric-assisted bicycle on a limited access highway or on a sidewalk.

Removal of any muffling device or pollution control device from a moped is unlawful.

Total length: 75 feet; trailer length: 53 feet; width: 8 1/2 feet; height: 14 feet.

Permits rearview mirror to extend 5 inches and safety appurtenances and appliances such as clearance lights, door latches, door hinges, and turn signal brackets to extend 4 inches and an awning to extend 6 inches.

Every trailer and pole trailer, and every vehicle combination must be equipped with service brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle under all conditions of loading, and on any grade incident to its operation. Every trailer and pole trailer must be equipped with brakes acting on wheels except for those not exceeding a Gross Weight (GW) of 3,000 lbs. if the total weight on and including the wheels of the trailer or trailers does not exceed 40% of the GW of the towing vehicle when connected to the trailer.

A vehicle towing a trailer must use safety chains.

The drawbar or other connection between vehicles in combination must be of sufficient strength to hold the weight of the towed vehicle on any grade where operated. No trailer may whip, weave, or oscillate or fail to follow substantially in the course of the towing vehicle.

Turn signals and reflectors are required.

Tail, brake, and license plate lights are required.

Every motor vehicle must be equipped with mirrors mounted on the left and right side of the vehicle and so located to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle.

Same as posted for trucks.

No person may occupy any trailer while it is being moved on a public highway, except a person occupying a proper position for steering a trailer to be steered from a rear-end position.

No vehicle towing a trailer may be driven in the left-hand lane of a limited access roadway having 3 or more lanes for traffic moving in 1 direction except when preparing for a left turn.

N/A.

Crashes are required to be reported when property damage exceeds $700.00.

The deadline to file a report is 4 days.

Statutory recognition of AAA arrest bond certificates for traffic infractions. Does not cover driving while intoxicated.

State has mandatory liability insurance law and has security and future-proof type law applicable in event of accident causing property damage in excess of $700 to 1 person’s property or personal injury requiring attention of doctor or causing death.

No person may operate a motor vehicle subject to registration in the state unless the person is insured under a motor vehicle liability policy with a liability limit of not less than $25,000 because of bodily injury to or death of 1 person in any 1 accident and, subject to that limit for 1 person, a limit of not less than $50,000 because of bodily injury to or death of 2 or more persons in any 1 accident, and a limit of not less than $10,000 because of damage to property of others in any 1 accident.

Motorists must carry on their person proof of auto insurance or financial responsibility. Law carries a $450 fine for noncompliance and applies to out-of-state motorists with similar proof-of-insurance cards.

State has non-resident service of process law.

Agricultural vehicles and trucks with a GVWR over 10,000 lbs. must stop.

There is no statewide bicycle helmet requirement.

Drivers passing a bicycle rider traveling in the same direction must pass on the left at a safe distance.

Washington is party to the Non-Resident Violator Compact.