AN ACT
Relating to vehicle licenses; and amending RCW 46.16.006, 46.70.090, and
82.80.020.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE
OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec.
1. RCW
46.16.006 and 1983 c 27 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)
The term "registration year" for the purposes of chapters 46.16,
82.44, and 82.50 RCW means the effective period of a vehicle license issued by
the department. Such year commences at 12:01 a.m. on the date of the calendar
year designated by the department and ends at 12:01 a.m. on the same date of
the next succeeding calendar year. If a vehicle license previously issued in
this state has ((been)) expired ((for more than thirty days)) and
is renewed with a different registered owner, a new registration year is deemed
to commence upon the date the expired license is renewed in order that the
renewed license be useable for a full twelve-month period.
(2)
Each registration year may be divided into twelve registration months. Each
registration month commences on the day numerically corresponding to the day of
the calendar month on which the registration year begins, and terminates on the
numerically corresponding day of the next succeeding calendar month.
(3)
Where the term "last day of the month" is used in chapters 46.16,
82.44, and 82.50 RCW in lieu of a specified day of any calendar month it means
the last day of such calendar month or months irrespective of the numerical
designation of that day.
(4) If
the final day of a registration year or month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or
legal holiday, such period extends through the end of the next business day.
Sec.
2. RCW
46.70.090 and 1991 c 140 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)
The department shall issue a vehicle dealer license plate which shall be
attached to the rear of the vehicle only and which is capable of distinguishing
the classification of the dealer, to vehicle dealers properly licensed pursuant
to this chapter and shall, upon application, issue manufacturer's license
plates to manufacturers properly licensed pursuant to this chapter.
(2)
The department shall ((not issue a vehicle dealer license plate to any vehicle
dealer selling fewer than five vehicles annually)) issue to a vehicle
dealer up to three vehicle dealer license plates. After the ((first))
third dealer plate is issued, the department shall limit the number of
dealer plates to six percent of the vehicles sold during the preceding license
period. For an original license the vehicle dealer license applicant shall
estimate the first year's sales. The director or director's designee may
waive these dealer plate issuance restrictions for a vehicle dealer if the
waiver both serves the purposes of this chapter and is essential to the
continuation of the business. The director shall adopt rules to implement this
waiver.
(3)
Motor vehicle dealer license plates may be used:
(a) To
demonstrate motor vehicles held for sale when operated by an individual holding
a valid operator's license, if a dated demonstration permit, valid for no more
than seventy-two hours, is carried in the vehicle at all times it is operated
by any such individual.
(b) On
motor vehicles owned, held for sale, and which are in fact available for sale
by the firm when operated by an officer of the corporation, partnership, or
proprietorship or by their spouses, or by a bona fide full-time employee of the
firm, if a card so identifying any such individual is carried in the vehicle at
all times it is operated by such individual. Any such vehicle so operated may
be used to transport the dealer's own tools, parts, and equipment of a total
weight not to exceed five hundred pounds.
(c) On
motor vehicles being tested for repair.
(d) On
motor vehicles being moved to or from a motor vehicle dealer's place of
business for sale.
(e) On
motor vehicles being moved to or from motor vehicle service and repair
facilities before sale.
(f) On
motor vehicles being moved to or from motor vehicle exhibitions within the
state of Washington, if any such exhibition does not exceed a period of twenty
days.
(4)
Mobile home and travel trailer dealer license plates may be used:
(a) On
units hauled to or from the place of business of the manufacturer and the place
of business of the dealer or to and from places of business of the dealer.
(b) On
mobile homes hauled to a customer's location for set-up after sale.
(c) On
travel trailers held for sale to demonstrate the towing capability of the
vehicle if a dated demonstration permit, valid for not more than seventy-two
hours, is carried with the vehicle at all times.
(d) On
mobile homes being hauled from a customer's location if the requirements of RCW
46.44.170 and 46.44.175 are met.
(e) On
any motor vehicle owned by the dealer which is used only to move vehicles
legally bearing mobile home and travel trailer dealer license plates of the
dealer so owning any such motor vehicle.
(f) On
vehicles being moved to or from vehicle exhibitions within the state of
Washington, if any such exhibition does not exceed a period of twenty days.
(5)
Miscellaneous vehicle dealer license plates may be used:
(a) To
demonstrate any miscellaneous vehicle: PROVIDED, That:
(i) No
such vehicle may be demonstrated on a public highway unless the customer has an
appropriate endorsement on his driver's license, if such endorsement is
required to operate such vehicle; and
(ii) A
dated demonstration permit, valid for no more than seventy-two hours, is
carried with the vehicle at all times it is operated by any such individual.
(b) On
vehicles owned, held for sale, and which are in fact available for sale, by the
firm when operated by an officer of the corporation, partnership, or
proprietorship or by a bona fide full-time employee of the firm, if a card so
identifying such individual is carried in the vehicle at all times it is
operated by him.
(c) On
vehicles being tested for repair.
(d) On
vehicles being transported to or from the place of business of the manufacturer
and the place of business of the dealer or to and from places of business of
the dealer.
(e) On
vehicles on which any other item sold or to be sold by the dealer is
transported from the place of business of the manufacturer to the place of
business of the dealer or to and from places of business of the dealer if such
vehicle and such item are purchased or sold as one package.
(6)
Manufacturers properly licensed pursuant to this chapter may apply for and
obtain manufacturer license plates and may be used:
(a) On
vehicles being moved to or from the place of business of a manufacturer to a
vehicle dealer within this state who is properly licensed pursuant to this
chapter.
(b) To
test vehicles for repair.
(7)
Vehicle dealer license plates and manufacturer license plates shall not be used
for any purpose other than set forth in this section and specifically shall not
be:
(a)
Used on any vehicle not within the class for which the vehicle dealer or
manufacturer license plates are issued unless specifically provided for in this
section.
(b)
Loaned to any person for any reason not specifically provided for in this
section.
(c)
Used on any vehicles for the transportation of any person, produce, freight, or
commodities unless specifically provided for in this section, except there
shall be permitted the use of such vehicle dealer license plates on a vehicle
transporting commodities in the course of a demonstration over a period not to
exceed seventy-two consecutive hours from the commencement of such
demonstration, if a representative of the dealer is present and accompanies
such vehicle during the course of the demonstration.
(d)
Used on any vehicle sold to a resident of another state to transport such
vehicle to that other state in lieu of a trip permit or in lieu of vehicle
license plates obtained from that other state.
(e)
Used on any new vehicle unless the vehicle dealer has provided the department a
current service agreement with the manufacturer or distributor of that vehicle
as provided in RCW 46.70.041(1)(k).
(8) In
addition to or in lieu of any sanction imposed by the director pursuant to RCW
46.70.101 for unauthorized use of vehicle dealer license plates or manufacturer
license plates, the director may order that any or all vehicle dealer license
plates or manufacturer license plates issued pursuant to this chapter be
confiscated for such period as he deems appropriate.
Sec.
3. RCW
82.80.020 and 1991 c 318 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)
The legislative authority of a county may fix and impose an additional fee, not
to exceed fifteen dollars per vehicle, for each vehicle that is subject to
license fees under RCW 46.16.060 and is determined by the department of
licensing to be registered within the boundaries of the county.
(2)
The department of licensing shall administer and collect the fee. The
department shall deduct a percentage amount, as provided by contract, not to
exceed two percent of the taxes collected, for administration and collection
expenses incurred by it. The remaining proceeds shall be remitted to the
custody of the state treasurer for monthly distribution under RCW 82.80.080.
(3)
The proceeds of this fee shall be used strictly for transportation purposes in
accordance with RCW 82.80.070.
(4) A
county imposing this fee shall delay the effective date at least six months
from the date the ordinance is enacted to allow the department of licensing to
implement administration and collection of the fee.
(5)
The legislative authority of a county may develop and initiate ((a refund))
an exemption process of the fifteen dollar fee ((to)) for
the registered owners of vehicles residing within the boundaries of the county
who ((are sixty-one years old or older at the time of payment of the fee and
whose household income for the previous calendar year is eighteen thousand
dollars or less or who has a physical disability and who has paid the fifteen
dollar additional fee)) meet the standards for the property tax
exemption under RCW 84.36.381.
