Introduction: Washington State Vehicle Registration Law
Washington State Vehicle Registration Law: Owners of automobiles are required by the state of Washington to finish the Washington vehicle registration procedure. Before being authorised to be driven on Washington's highways and roads, motor vehicles must have valid titles and be properly registered through the Washington State Department of Licencing.
You have 30 days after moving to Washington to register your car, but you must first obtain a licence to drive in the state.
You may quickly renew your automobile registration online once you’ve created an account if you reside in Washington State and need to do so every year.
Jerry, the dependable super app for automobile owners, is here to assist you get the job done and cut through the red tape. While we’re at it, we’ll make sure you receive the greatest rate on Washington auto insurance as well.
WA’s new Vehicle Registration Laws
You may now photograph your vehicle registration and save it on your phone in Washington state.
According to Tim Meyer, a spokesman for the King County Sheriff’s Office, “both your registration and the evidence of insurance may be stored electronically.” “Any image on a mobile phone or other portable electronic device is an acceptable electronic format.”
He’s referring to RCW 46.16A.180(1) (d), which mandates that all drivers comply with police requests for proof of registration and licencing.
However, as the state attempts to gradually phase out physical copies of the registration information due to the increased danger of theft, the registration certificate required by this section may now be submitted in either a paper or electronic version.
It is advisable to take a snap photo of your car’s registration and store it on your phone because car burglars frequently grab personal documents to create fake ones. Just be sure to have your phone on you in case you are stopped while driving.
The process for registering a car in Washington
Depending on the unique circumstances of each driver, Washington’s vehicle registration requirements can vary greatly. If drivers have previously registered their automobiles in other states, some steps of the process might not go as they had anticipated.
For instance, although Washington state law mandates that drivers have auto insurance, the verification and acquisition of auto insurance are seen as a necessary aspect of the official WA driver licencing procedure and may not be immediately considered when registering a vehicle.
Similar to how vehicle age, weight, and mileage affect emissions testing requirements, so do drivers’ home counties.
There may be differing DMV registration documentation demands, taxes, and procedures for new residents and US military personnel stationed in the state compared to current residents. Therefore, it is crucial that drivers carefully read all of the regulations that apply to their particular circumstances and cars before registering a car at Washington.
Washington Vehicle Registration for the First Time
You have thirty (30) days after moving into the state of Washington to properly title your car and register it with the state.
You will then receive Washington licence plates after doing this. You can deliver your application in person or by mail to your neighbourhood vehicle licencing office to finish the WA vehicle registration procedure.
First-time in-person registration of a vehicle in Washington
You must confirm that your car satisfies all applicable standards before starting the WA registration process. Your SUV, passenger van, or light-duty truck must exceed required emission requirements if it is a 2009 model or newer in order to be registered in Washington.
You must include the Odometer Disclosure Statement on your WA registration application if your car is ten years old or newer. You can also be required to submit your car’s emissions test results in some counties in Washington.
You might need to provide a weight slip for the car for your Washington vehicle registration if the vehicle weight is not shown on your title. This can be available through the local car licencing office.
After completing all of these criteria, you can visit a Department of Licencing office and show the necessary paperwork:
• Application for a vehicle certificate of ownership;
• Out-of-state title or photocopy if the vehicle is a lien holder. All registered owners are required to sign this.
• Any applicable fees must also be paid. These costs vary depending on your jurisdiction, the weight of your car, and the licence plate design you choose.
Vehicle registration fees in Washington
The weight of the vehicle, the location, and the licence plates all affect the registration as well as title fees in Washington. If you’re registering for the initial time, you should get the cost of WA registration by getting in touch with your neighbourhood vehicle licencing office.
Washington Vehicle Registration Renewal
You may renew your registration despite receiving a notice by mail, in person, or online even though the state of Washington sends them. Up to six months prior to the expiration of your existing WA car registration, you may renew your registration. The kind of WA vehicle registration, weight, and other criteria affect renewal costs. The following are a few typical Washington automobile registration fees:
Motorcycles are $43.75; passenger cars up to 4,000 pounds are $53.75; passenger cars from 4,001 and 6,000 pounds are $63.75; and passenger cars between 6,001 and 8,000 pounds are $43.75
$5 is the subagent cost at a licencing office.
What level of insurance is required in Washington?
Whether you’ve lived in Washington for a while or just arrived here, you must have auto insurance that complies with the state’s minimum requirements. What is necessary in Washington is as follows:
- A minimum of $25,000 in liability coverage for bodily injury per person
- Minimum $50,000 in personal injury liability coverage per accident
- Liability coverage for property damage of a minimum of $10,000 per accident
But keep in mind this is merely what you’ll require to register your vehicle and operate a vehicle on the road legally. Add-on plans like collision, comprehensive, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage are wise to get if you can.
How to update your vehicle’s registration in Washington
Your vehicle’s registration must be renewed yearly in the state of Washington.
When it’s time for renewal, you’ll receive notice if you’ve chosen to receive email or postal reminders. Alternatively, you may simply glance at the tags on your licence plate; they will come to an end on the last date of the month specified there.
Washington State strongly advises people to use a Licence eXpress account as it is the quickest and easiest option to renew. You may perform a number of vehicle-related chores through it, and setting it up is free. In around three weeks, you should receive the fresh tags in the post. Be sure to maintain your account’s address up to date.
As an alternative, you can renew at a place for car licencing. If you choose this option, you must bring one of the following items along with your renewal notice:
- Utility bill and a driving permit
- Additional proof of your main residence’s street address
For the most of people, this will be all that is required, along with paying your renewal payments, of course. However, there are a number of extra conditions that you’ll need to fulfil in certain other situations.