(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 established by the department. The Medal of Honor recipient must:

(a) Provide proof from the Washington state department of veterans affairs showing receipt of the medal; and

(b) Be recorded as one of the registered owners of the motor vehicle on which the Medal of Honor license plate or plates will be displayed.

(2) Medal of Honor license plates must be issued:

(a) For no more than three personal motor vehicles owned by a person who has received the Medal of Honor; and

(b) Without payment of vehicle license fees, license plate fees, and motor vehicle excise taxes.

(3) Medal of Honor license plates must be replaced, free of charge, if the license plates become lost, stolen, damaged, defaced, or destroyed.

(4) A Medal of Honor license plate or plates may be transferred, free of charge, from one motor vehicle to another motor vehicle owned by the Medal of Honor recipient upon application to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director.

(5) A registered owner who is eligible for Medal of Honor license plates may, in lieu of applying for the special license plates under this section, apply for regular issue license plates for no more than three personal motor vehicles owned by the registered owner and receive the full benefit of the vehicle license fee, license plate fee, and motor vehicle excise tax exemptions provided in subsection (2)(b) of this section.

Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.