The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is required to complete a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection when a vehicle: 

• is declared a total loss or salvaged and not kept by the registered owner;
• has been rebuilt after the certificate of title was returned to the state; or
• has been presented to the state with documents that show the vehicle was a total loss or salvaged in another state and has not been reissued a valid registration certificate. 

A VIN inspection is also required when certain kinds of vehicles are being titled in the state for the first time, including a kit vehicle, a homemade vehicle, a street rod, a custom vehicle, or a vehicle where there is question about the VIN documentation on the vehicle. 

The VIN inspection is required by the Department of Licensing (DOL) before the vehicle owner can receive a certificate of title.  The VIN inspection fee is $65 with $50 being deposited into the Motor Vehicle Fund and $15 being deposited into the State Patrol Highway Account.

The entire $65 VIN inspection fee is deposited into the into the State Patrol Highway Account.  WSP and DOL, in collaboration with an outside consultant, must examine the VIN program and make recommendations for improvements, including the timeliness of completed inspections.  The study must:

• review current underlying statutes and compare with best practices of other states;
• examine the types of statutorily and administratively required inspections, and prioritize ones that have a direct impact on public safety and actually reduce the number of stolen vehicles and parts in the state;
• recommend changes to the existing program to increase financial sustainability, customer satisfaction, and the overall efficiency of the program; and
• identify staffing and technology needs to optimize service delivery, including improved inspection scheduling and completions.

WSP and DOL must jointly provide a preliminary report of their findings and recommendations to the Joint Transportation Committee by November 1, 2022.  WSP and DOL must jointly submit a final report to the Governor and the legislative transportation committees by January 1, 2023.

All-terrain vehicles, wheeled all-terrain vehicles, and utility-type vehicles that have been declared a total loss or salvaged are exempt from the VIN inspection requirements.

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard.  PRO:  There has been dramatic growth in the number of vehicle identification number inspections over the last decade and this has put pressure on the State Patrol's ability to do these inspections in a timely manner.  The pandemic has exacerbated this issue and a greater VIN backlog has occurred.  This impacts businesses and citizens across the state.  This is one potential option to address the issue, but there may be other better options.  These options might include adding funding to the State Patrol and increasing their capacity, allowing other entities to perform these inspections, and reviewing the specific types of inspections required and whether all of them are geared towards public safety and reducing criminal behavior.  One of the initial steps might be a study to evaluate the merits of these various options.