PDFWAC 308-56A-140
Department temporary license plate.
(1) What is a department temporary license plate? A department temporary license plate is a system-generated license plate printed on durable paper material which may be issued in lieu of a registration certificate and license plates when:
(a) The vehicle is not currently licensed in Washington; and
(b) Appropriate vehicle documentation to title and license the vehicle is not immediately available but is likely to be available within 60 days; and
(c) The vehicle was purchased from someone other than a licensed Washington dealer or is scheduled for inspection by the Washington state patrol; and
(d) For the purposes of this section, a vehicle may be considered unlicensed if the current license expires within 60 days of application for the department temporary license plate, or the vehicle's license plates are missing or unreadable.
(2) How long is a department temporary license plate valid? The department temporary license plate is valid for no longer than 60 days from the date of application.
(3) Where do I apply for and obtain a department temporary license plate? You may apply for a department temporary license plate at any Washington vehicle licensing office.
(4) What fees are due when applying for a department temporary license plate? All applicable taxes, title, license fees and inspection fees are due when the department temporary license plate is issued. Any fees for permanent license plates are due when the department temporary license plate is cleared.
(5) How do I display the temporary license plate? You must display the temporary license plate the same as described for a permanent license plate in RCW 46.16A.200 (5)(a), in the same location or locations where permanent license plates are displayed for vehicles. The temporary license plate must be secured so as to remain stable and readable during movement or in windy conditions.
(6) If my vehicle is eligible for monthly gross weight, how many months of gross weight must I purchase with a department temporary license plate? If your vehicle is eligible for monthly gross weight, you must purchase a minimum of two months' gross weight license to correspond with the duration of the department temporary license plate. You may receive credit as described in WAC 308-96A-220(7) for gross weight license already purchased.
(7) How do I clear the department temporary license plate and obtain a registration certificate and license plates for my vehicle? You may obtain a registration certificate and license plates for your vehicle at any vehicle licensing office by submitting:
(a) An application for certificate of ownership; and
(b) An odometer disclosure statement, if applicable; and
(c) License plate fees; and
(d) Other applicable documentation, fees, and taxes.
(8) What fees are due when clearing a department temporary license plate? In addition to other fees as prescribed by law, the title application fee and license plate fees are due when the department temporary license plate is cleared.
(9) How do I obtain a replacement department temporary license plate? You may obtain a replacement department temporary license plate by contacting any vehicle licensing office. You must provide the vehicle identification number or the department temporary license plate number. The replacement department temporary license plate will retain the same expiration date as the original.
(10) May another department temporary license plate be issued after the expiration of the first? Yes, when necessary, another department temporary license plate may be issued on a case-by-case basis upon departmental approval.
An extension of a department temporary license plate cannot be granted for vehicles described in subsection (6) of this section when no more than two months' gross weight was purchased. Additional gross weight cannot be issued until the department temporary license plate is cleared.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. WSR 23-15-119, § 308-56A-140, filed 7/19/23, effective 8/19/23; WSR 07-22-090, § 308-56A-140, filed 11/6/07, effective 12/7/07; WSR 04-08-080, § 308-56A-140, filed 4/6/04, effective 5/7/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.12.040, 46.16.216. WSR 03-12-006, § 308-56A-140, filed 5/22/03, effective 6/22/03; WSR 99-12-031, § 308-56A-140, filed 5/25/99, effective 6/25/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. WSR 93-14-084, § 308-56A-140, filed 6/30/93, effective 7/31/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.12.151 and 46.12.050. WSR 92-03-077, § 308-56A-140, filed 1/14/92, effective 2/14/92; Order MV 208, § 308-56A-140, filed 7/31/74.]