PDFWAC 308-66-160

Dealer's and manufacturer's license plates.

(1) When dealer's plates are used on any vehicle being demonstrated to a prospective customer, it is not necessary that the dealer or a member of his firm accompany the prospective customer except as provided in RCW 46.70.090 (7)(c). Prospective customers, when not accompanied by a dealer or member of his firm, must be issued a demonstration permit by the dealer authorizing them to operate the vehicle for a period not to exceed seventy-two hours for the purpose of demonstration and possible purchase.
(2) When a dealer receives a vehicle bearing foreign license plates, such plates must be covered by the dealer's plates while that vehicle is being demonstrated. Upon the sale of the vehicle, the foreign plates shall be removed and destroyed by the dealer prior to the delivery of the vehicle. When foreign-plated vehicles are sold to residents of a state whose plate is so displayed on the vehicle and the purchaser returns the vehicle immediately to his home state for use there and not in Washington, the dealer may deliver the vehicle with foreign plates attached if either one of two conditions is also met. The conditions are:
(a) The purchaser must sign a nonresident affidavit to apply to their home state's vehicle licensing authority to register the vehicle in their own name, or
(b) The purchaser must have obtained a trip permit to move the vehicle from the dealer's place of business to the purchaser's own state.
(3) A dealer, corporate officer, member of a limited liability company; or spouse of the dealer, corporate officer, or member of a limited liability company; or an employee of a dealer must carry a vehicle dealer identification card when operating any vehicle bearing dealer plates.
(4) Dealer plates may not be used on any vehicle belonging to a member of the dealer's family.
(5) Dealer plates may not be used on any vehicle owned by the dealer if such vehicle is used exclusively by members of the dealer's family.
(6) Vehicles bearing dealer's plates may not be loaned to the dealer's service customers.
(7) Dealers are required to provide accurate records reflecting the use of dealer plates.
(8) Pursuant to RCW 46.70.090, testing vehicles for repair is limited to testing for a preexisting, identifiable problem known to the vehicle dealer or manufacturer before the testing is to begin. In addition, vehicle manufacturers may test vehicles for purposes of product evaluation/performance and problem identification, as long as loads are within the legal limits, no commercial hauling is involved, and a company employee with identification is driving the vehicle.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.70.160. WSR 05-23-088, § 308-66-160, filed 11/16/05, effective 12/17/05; WSR 04-16-090, § 308-66-160, filed 8/3/04, effective 9/3/04; WSR 98-20-039, § 308-66-160, filed 9/30/98, effective 10/31/98; WSR 96-19-025, § 308-66-160, filed 9/9/96, effective 10/10/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.70.160 and 46.70.090. WSR 91-20-057, § 308-66-160, filed 9/24/91, effective 10/25/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.70.160. WSR 86-21-025 (Order DLR-114), § 308-66-160, filed 10/8/86; Order MV 170, § 308-66-160, filed 7/16/73; Order 70-08-04, § 308-66-160, filed 8/6/70; Order 69-1, § 308-66-160, filed 8/28/69; Order 2, § 308-66-160, filed 1/29/68.]