Vehicle registration in Washington is a mandatory process that officially records a vehicle within the state. This procedure confirms that vehicles are legally recognized and can be tracked for taxation and safety purposes.
The Revised Code of Washington Section 46.16A.030 underscores the necessity of vehicle registration. According to this code, it is unlawful for any person to operate any vehicle on a public highway without a current and proper vehicle registration and visible license plates.
The Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) oversees vehicle registration. This department is responsible for maintaining records of all registered vehicles, issuing license plates, and ensuring compliance with state regulations. Furthermore, the department provides guidelines for registration renewal, transfers, and other related processes.
Adhering to Washington's vehicle registration regulations is essential for vehicle owners. By doing so, they can confidently navigate the entire registration process and legalize their vehicle usage on public roads, preventing fines, penalties, and impoundments.
How To Register a Car in Washington?
Individuals seeking to register a car in Washington must navigate specific guidelines based on different circumstances.
New residents of the state must undergo a distinct registration process, while those registering purchased or gifted vehicles encounter different requirements. Military members also follow specialized protocols when registering their cars.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the vehicle registration process tailored for each of these circumstances:
Registration of Vehicles for New Residents in Washington
New residents moving to Washington must promptly register their vehicles within 30 days of residency. This process can be initiated in person at any Quick Title office or DOL office and through mail.
Individuals must visit a DOL or Quick Title office for in-person registration and submit a signed Vehicle Certificate of Ownership (Title) Application (Form TD-420-001). Every owner listed on the vehicle title should sign since a licensing agent will verify it.
Additionally, new residents must provide their out-of-state title. If the title is currently held by a lienholder, a front and back copy of the title should be obtained. If the title or its copy is unavailable, contacting the local DOL office for assistance is advised.
Furthermore, an odometer disclosure statement is required if the vehicle being registered has a 2011 model year or newer. Note that this document cannot be faxed, downloaded, or emailed as it is printed on special paper. To obtain the statement, individuals can visit a DOL office or call (360) 902-3770.
New residents must also furnish a dealer purchase agreement or a Bill of Sale (Form TD-420-065) if the vehicle was acquired within the last 90 days. Lastly, registration fees must be paid during the process.
If preferred, new residents can register their vehicles by mail. They can do this by mailing the mentioned requirements to a local DOL location or the following address:
Refunds and Title Services
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9043
Olympia, WA 98507
Once the registration process is complete, expect the vehicle title and registration to arrive within eight weeks.
Registration of Purchased or Gifted Vehicles in Washington
Individuals must register a vehicle 15 days after acquiring ownership when it is purchased or gifted. Failure to comply with this requirement can result in a fine of up to $125.
If a vehicle is purchased from a car dealership, the dealership typically manages all paperwork, including documentation and obtaining license plates.
However, the owner must register the vehicle in person or through mail if it has been purchased from or gifted by private parties.
In-person registration necessitates visiting a Quick Title office or a DOL office, where the owner must submit a Form TD-420-001, signed by both the buyer and seller. If the title is unavailable, the seller must complete an Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest (Form TD-420-040) and have it notarized and signed by all parties.
A Form TD-420-065 and an odometer disclosure statement (for cars with model year 2011 or newer) are also required, along with payment of all applicable fees.
If the registration is completed at a DOL office, the owner will receive the registration certificate and new plates before leaving, and the title will come by mail within eight weeks. However, if the registration is done at a Quick Title office, the registration and the title can be obtained immediately for an additional $50 fee.
For mail registration, notarizing all signatures on the required documents is vital. Once notarized, all the documents should be sent to the following address:
Refunds and Title Services
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9043
Olympia, WA 98507
Note that in the case of mail registration, the vehicle registration and title will be mailed to the owner within eight weeks, while the new license plates can take up to three weeks to be delivered.
Vehicle Registration for Military Members in Washington
Military members in Washington State face varying registration requirements. These depend on whether they are residents stationed in-state, residents stationed outside the state, or non-residents stationed in-state.
Below is detailed information on the vehicle registration process for military members in Washington:
WA Military Residents Vehicle Registration
If a military member is a Washington resident stationed within the state, they must follow the standard registration protocols applicable to all residents. However, if a Washington military member resident is stationed outside the state, the individual and their spouse can mail their vehicle registration.
To initiate this process, they must complete, sign, and notarize Form TD-420-001, including the vehicle weight and gross weight for trucks. Additionally, they must include proof of ownership, such as the vehicle title for used cars or a manufacturer's origin statement for new ones.
If the vehicle has a loan, a front and back copy of the title must also be submitted. Furthermore, an odometer disclosure statement is necessary if the car is a 2011 model or newer.
Besides that, a duplicate of the military orders should be enclosed to validate station assignment outside Washington and a Leave and Earnings Statement to confirm Washington residency.
These required documents, along with the applicable registration fees, must be submitted to the following address:
Refunds and Title Services
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9043
Olympia, WA 98507
Note that military members stationed outside the state who registered their vehicles in the state where they are stationed are allowed to keep their plates when they return to Washington until those plates expire. At that point, they are required to re-register their vehicles in Washington.
Non-WA Resident Military Vehicle Registration
Non-Washington resident military personnel stationed in the state have specific options regarding vehicle registration.
Generally, non-Washington resident military personnel stationed within the state are not required to register their vehicles in Washington, provided they maintain valid registration and insurance from their home state. However, should they opt to register locally, they must follow the standard procedures for new residents.
It is worth noting that if a non-resident military member stationed in Washington possesses foreign license plates, they can utilize them until they expire. Upon expiration, they must register and subsequently plate their vehicle in Washington or their home state.
Remember that the procedures outlined above apply to registering standard passenger vehicles. Those interested in registering commercial vehicles can refer to the Register Commercial Vehicles page. Meanwhile, individuals interested in registering off-road automobiles can check the Register Off-Road Vehicles page.
Washington License Plates
In Washington, vehicle registration culminates in issuing license plates, which are essential for most vehicles in the state.
Typically, Washington mandates two license plates per vehicle, one affixed to the front and the other to the rear. Exceptions to this rule include trailers, semi-trailers, campers, mopeds, collector vehicles, horseless carriages, and motorcycles, which only require a single plate.
In addition to license plates, the DOL issues tabs to be placed in the upper right-hand corner of the rear license plate. These tabs are crucial as they indicate the expiration date of the vehicle registration.
Note that Washington also offers its residents a variety of license plate options besides the standard ones. These include personalized car tags and plates designed for specific organizations and colleges. Qualified individuals can also opt for military tags or emblems, and classic car enthusiasts can acquire unique tags for their vintage vehicles.
How To Obtain Vanity License Plates in Washington?
Individuals must follow a specific process to obtain a vanity or personalized license plate in Washington.
Initially, they must decide on their plate's desired combination of characters and verify its availability. Standard vehicles can have personalized plates with up to seven characters, while motorcycle and small trailer plates can have up to six characters.
The allowable characters in a Washington personalized plate include letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens. However, certain combinations are invalid, and plates containing vulgar, racial, ethnic, or indecent messages are not accepted.
Individuals can utilize the DOL's personalized plate search platform to check if a specific combination is available.
Once they have confirmed availability, applicants can select the background design for their plate. They can choose either a standard mountain background or a special design background.
After that, it is crucial to find out the initial cost of the personalized plate. Note that a customized plate costs $169.25 for standard vehicles if it has a standard mountain background. This fee rises to $209.25 if it contains a special design background.
To finalize the application process, individuals must complete a Specialty License Plate Application (Form AI-420-499) and submit it in person at any DOL office or by mail to the address indicated on the form.
How Much Does Vehicle Registration Cost in Washington?
It is essential to be aware of the various fees involved when registering a vehicle in Washington.
The basic registration fee in the state starts at $43.25, but the final amount depends on several factors, such as vehicle weight, location, and applicable taxes.
To obtain an estimate of the registration fee for a specific vehicle, individuals can use the DOL's Vehicle Tab Estimator platform. This platform requires the plate number and the owner's last name or the last four digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN). However, those seeking the exact registration fee are advised to consult a DOL office directly.
Aside from the registration fee, other applicable fees must be considered during the vehicle registration process in Washington. These include service fees, which amount to $8 for registration and $15 for titling. License plate fees are also applicable, with standard vehicle plates incurring a $50 fee while motorcycle plates have a $20 fee.
Additionally, certain counties and locations in the state charge extra fees when registering a vehicle. This includes the Regional Transit Authority Tax and Local Transportation Benefit District Fees.
These fees can be settled using cash, checks, and major credit or debit cards. However, a 3% card payment fee applies for online transactions, while a convenience fee applies for in-person transactions.
For more information regarding vehicle registration fees in Washington, individuals can navigate the Calculate Vehicle Tab Fees page on the official DOL website.
How To Renew Vehicle Registration in Washington?
The DOL requires Washington vehicle owners to renew their registration annually. To ensure compliance with this requirement, the DOL sends registration renewal notices to residents through mail or email a few weeks before the registration deadline.
Individuals are responsible for renewing their vehicle registration on time, whether they receive a renewal notice or not. While there are no late registration renewal fees in Washington, individuals who do not comply can be ticketed for driving with expired tags.
The renewal process in Washington can be done through various channels, including online, by mail, and in person.
Online Registration Renewal
Individuals can opt to renew their Washington vehicle registration online, but they must ensure that their registration is current or has expired for less than a year and that they have their current address on file on the DOL.
Once these requirements are met, visit the DOL's online renewal page and follow the page's instructions.
Typically, individuals will need to provide their vehicle's license plate number, their last name or last four digits of the VIN, and the driver's license numbers of all registered owners.
They must also choose their preferred method of receiving the new registration stickers and certificate, which can be by mail or picked up in person at the local DOL office.
Finally, individuals must pay the renewal fee specified and print the receipt to complete the transaction.
Those interested can also use the License eXpress service to renew their online registration. But an account is needed for this option.
Registration Renewal by Mail
Washington vehicle owners can conveniently renew their vehicle registration by mail. However, verifying that all the information on the renewal notice is accurate before proceeding is vital.
Once the information has been verified, submit the payment for the renewal fee through a check or money order and the renewal notice to the specified address (on the notice).
Upon completion, individuals can expect to receive their registration and tab within five business days. If the registration and tabs are to be mailed out of state, the delivery time may be slightly longer.
In-Person Registration Renewal
Vehicle owners in Washington can renew their vehicle registration in person by visiting their local DOL office.
They must bring their renewal notice or current registration certificate when doing so. They must also provide proof of identity and residency and pay the renewal fee, as specified in the notice.
Once complete, the vehicle owner will receive their new Washington registration certificate and plate stickers before leaving the office.
How To Check if a Vehicle Is Currently Registered in Washington?
The Washington DOL currently does not offer an online lookup tool to check if a specific vehicle is registered. Therefore, individuals seeking this information must resort to alternative methods.
One convenient option is to call the DOL customer service at (360) 902-3770. The operators on this line can assist with any registration inquiries.
Moreover, those interested can visit their local DOL office in person. The staff at these offices can determine whether a vehicle is currently registered by looking it up on their records.
Regardless of the method chosen, individuals must prepare numerous vehicle information beforehand for a smooth inquiry process. This includes the VIN, license plate number, owner's name, and other additional details about the vehicle.