Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 46.18 · 32 active provisions
GENERAL PROVISIONS The legislature has seen an increase in the demand from constituent groups seeking recognition and funding through the establishment of commemorative or special license plates. The high cost of implementing a new special license plate series coupled with the uncertainty of the state's ability to reco…
Persons applying to the department for special license plates shall apply on forms obtained from the department and in accordance with RCW 46.16A.040. The applicant shall provide all information as is required by the department in order to determine the applicant's eligibility for the special license plates.
The director shall adopt rules to implement this chapter, including the setting of fees.
REVIEW, REQUIREMENTS, AND PROCEDURES The department shall:(1) Process special license plate applications and confirm that the sponsoring organization has submitted all required documentation. If an incomplete application is received, the department must return it to the sponsoring organization; and(2) Compile the annua…
(1) The department must review and either approve or reject special license plate applications submitted by sponsoring organizations. Except for special license plates created under chapter 385, Laws of 2025, the department may not issue any new special license plates until January 1, 2029, and therefore no application…
(1) For an organization to qualify for a special license plate under the special license plate approval program created in this chapter, the sponsoring organization must submit documentation to the department that verifies that the organization is:(a)(i) A nonprofit organization, as defined in 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3).…
(1) A sponsoring organization meeting the requirements of RCW 46.18.100, applying for the creation of a special license plate must, on an application supplied by the department, provide the minimum application requirements in subsection (2) of this section.(2) The sponsoring organization shall:(a) Submit prepayment of…
(1) Within thirty days of legislative enactment of a new special license plate series for a qualifying organization meeting the requirements of RCW 46.18.100(1), the department shall enter into a written agreement with the organization that sponsored the special license plate. The agreement must identify the services t…
(1) Revenues generated from the sale of special license plates for those sponsoring organizations who used the application process in RCW 46.18.110 must be deposited into the motor vehicle fund created in RCW 46.68.070 until the department determines that the state's implementation costs have been fully reimbursed.(2)…
(1) A special license plate series created by the legislature after January 1, 2011, that has not been reviewed and approved by the department is subject to the following requirements:(a) The organization sponsoring the license plate series shall, within thirty days of enactment of the legislation creating the special…
The department shall offer special license plate design services to organizations that are sponsoring a new special license plate series and organizations seeking to redesign the appearance of an existing special license plate series that they sponsored. In providing this service, the department must work with the requ…
PLATE TYPES, DECALS, AND EMBLEMS (1) Special license plate series reviewed and approved by the department:(a) May be issued in lieu of standard issue or personalized license plates for vehicles required to display one and two license plates unless otherwise specified;(b) Must be issued under terms and conditions establ…
(1) A registered owner may apply to the department for special license plates showing the official amateur radio call letters assigned by the federal communications commission. The amateur radio operator must:(a) Provide a copy of the current valid federal communications commission amateur radio license;(b) Pay the ama…
(1) A registered owner may apply to the department for special armed forces license plates for vehicles representing the following:(a) Air force;(b) Army;(c) Coast guard;(d) Marine corps;(e) National guard; or(f) Navy.(2) Armed forces license plates may be purchased by:(a) Active duty military personnel;(b) Families of…
(1) The department must make available, upon request by a purchaser of special armed forces license plates, at no additional cost, a decal indicating the purchaser's military status. The list of available decals must include, but is not limited to:(a) Active duty;(b) Disabled veteran;(c) Reservist;(d) Retiree;(e) Veter…
(1) A registered owner may apply to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director for a collector vehicle license plate for a motor vehicle or travel trailer that is at least 30 years old. The motor vehicle must be operated primarily as a collector vehicle and be in good running o…
The department must provide a method by which law enforcement officers may readily access vehicle information for collector vehicles by using the collector vehicle license plate number. In the event duplicate license plate numbers have been issued to more than one collector vehicle, the department must provide a method…
A state university, regional university, or state college as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 may apply to the department, in a form approved by the department and request the department to issue a series of collegiate license plates, for display on motor vehicles required to display one or two license plates, excluding vehic…
(1) A registered owner who has been awarded the Medal of Honor may apply to the department for no more than three special license plate sets for use on no more than three motor vehicles required to display one or two license plates, excluding vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW, upon terms and conditions establ…
(1) A registered owner who is a veteran, as defined in RCW 41.04.007, may apply to the department for disabled American veteran or former prisoner of war license plates, for use on one personal use motor vehicle required to display one or two license plates, excluding vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW, upon t…
(1) A registered owner who is an eligible family member of a member of the United States armed forces who died while in service to his or her country, or as a result of his or her service, may apply to the department for special gold star license plates for use on a motor vehicle. The registered owner must:(a) Be a res…
(1) A registered owner may apply to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director for a horseless carriage license plate for a motor vehicle that is manufactured or built before January 1, 1916. The motor vehicle must be operated primarily as a collector vehicle and be in good run…
(1) A registered owner who has a valid military affiliate radio system station license may apply to the department for special license plates for use on only one motor vehicle owned by the qualified applicant. The applicant must:(a) Be a resident of this state;(b) Provide a copy of the current official military affilia…
(1) A registered owner who has survived the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, may apply to the department for special license plates for use on only one motor vehicle required to display one or two license plates, excluding vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW, upon terms and conditions established by…
(1) A registered owner may apply to the department for a personalized license plate for any vehicle required to display one or two vehicle license plates, excluding vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW, upon terms and conditions established by the department. The application for personalized license plates must…