WSR 09-19-113

PERMANENT RULES

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING


[ Filed September 22, 2009, 10:07 a.m. , effective October 23, 2009 ]


     Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: Rule making is required to update the rules to comply with the "market value threshold amount" required in RCW 46.12.005.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 308-56A-460, 308-56A-500, 308-63-010, and 308-63-090.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.12.005.

     Other Authority: RCW 46.01.110.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 09-15-028 on July 7, 2009.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 4, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 4, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 4, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: September 22, 2009.

Walt Fahrer

Rules Coordinator

OTS-2513.2


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 04-08-080, filed 4/6/04, effective 5/7/04)

WAC 308-56A-460   Destroyed or wrecked vehicle -- Reporting -- Rebuilt.   (1) What are total loss, destroyed, salvage, and wrecked vehicles? For the purposes of this section:

     (a) A total loss vehicle is one whose destruction has been reported to the department as described in RCW 46.12.070 by an insurer (insurance companies and self-insurers as described in RCW 46.29.630);

     (b) A destroyed vehicle is one whose destruction has been reported to the department as described in RCW 46.12.070 by the vehicle's owner;

     (c) A salvage vehicle as defined in RCW 46.12.005;


Note: When used in this section, the terms "destroyed" and "destroyed vehicle" include total loss, destroyed, and salvage vehicles.

     (d) A wrecked vehicle as defined in RCW 46.80.010(6).


Note: A vehicle may be considered destroyed or wrecked when the evidence of ownership is a salvage certificate/title, insurance company bill of sale, or wrecker bill of sale from any jurisdiction, or when the evidence of ownership indicates the vehicle may be a destroyed vehicle not reported to the department.

     (2) How are vehicles reported to the department as total loss, destroyed, salvage, or wrecked?

     (a) Insurers may report total loss vehicles to the department:

     (i) Electronically through the department's on-line reporting system. Insurers must destroy ownership documents for a vehicle reported this way; or

     (ii) By submitting the certificate of ownership or affidavit in lieu of title indicating the vehicle is "DESTROYED"; or

     (iii) By submitting a completed total loss claim settlement form (TD 420-074).


Note: Reports of total loss vehicles must include the insurer's name, address, and the date of loss.

     (b) Registered or legal owners report a vehicle as destroyed by submitting the certificate of ownership or affidavit in lieu of title indicating the vehicle is "DESTROYED," and must include the registered owner's name, address, and date of loss.

     (c) Licensed wreckers report wrecked vehicles as required in RCW 46.80.090.

     (d) For vehicles six through twenty years old a statement whether or not the vehicle meets the market value threshold amount as defined in RCW 46.12.005 is also required.

     (3) What is the current market value threshold amount? The current market value threshold amount is six thousand seven hundred ninety dollars.

     (4) How is the market value threshold amount determined? Using the current market value threshold amount described in RCW 46.12.005 each year the department will add the increased value if the increase is equal to or greater than fifty dollars.

     (5) What if the "market value threshold amount" is not provided as required? If the market value threshold amount is not provided when required, the department would treat the report of destruction as if the market value threshold as described in RCW 46.12.005 has been met. The certificate of ownership will be branded according to WAC 308-56A-530.

     (((4))) (6) What documentation is required to obtain a certificate of ownership after a vehicle is destroyed? After a vehicle has been reported destroyed or wrecked and is rebuilt, you must submit the following documentation to the department in order to obtain a new certificate of ownership:

     (a) Application for certificate of ownership as described in RCW 46.12.030;

     (b) Certificate of vehicle inspection as described in WAC 308-56A-150;

     (c) Bill of sale from the insurer, owner, or wrecker who reported the vehicle's destruction to the department.

     (i) Bills of sale from insurers must include a representative's signature and title of office;

     (ii) Bills of sale from insurers and wreckers do not need to be notarized;

     (iii) Bills of sale from owners shown on department records must be notarized or certified;

     (iv) A bill of sale is not required when owners shown on department records retain a destroyed vehicle and apply for a new certificate of ownership;

     (v) Releases of interest from lien holders are not required since liens are presumed to have been satisfied at the time of settlement of the claim.

     (d) Odometer disclosure statement, if applicable.

     (((5))) (7) What is required of a Washington licensed vehicle dealer prior to selling a destroyed or wrecked vehicle? Except as permitted by RCW 46.70.101 (1)(b)(viii), before a dealer may sell a destroyed or wrecked vehicle under their Washington vehicle dealer license, the dealer must:

     (a) Rebuild the vehicle to standards set by the state of Washington or the federal government pertaining to the construction and safety of vehicles; and

     (b) Obtain a vehicle inspection by the Washington state patrol; and

     (c) Apply for and receive a certificate of ownership for the vehicle, issued in the name of the vehicle dealer.

     (((6))) (8) Once a destroyed or wrecked vehicle is rebuilt, do the license plates remain with the vehicle? Whether or not the license plates remain with the vehicle depends on the circumstance:

     (a) Standard issue license plates may remain with a destroyed vehicle unless they are severely damaged or the vehicle was issued a department temporary permit described in WAC 308-56A-140;

     (b) Replacement license plates are required for wrecked vehicles since Washington licensed wreckers are required by WAC 308-63-070 to remove them;

     (c) Special license plates may remain with or be transferred to a destroyed or wrecked vehicle;

     (d) Applicants may retain the current license plate number as provided for in RCW 46.16.233, unless the vehicle was issued a department temporary permit as described in WAC 308-56A-140.

     (((7))) (9) Will the certificate of ownership or registration certificate indicate "WA REBUILT"? Salvage or wrecked vehicles meeting the criteria described in WAC 308-56A-530 will be branded "WA REBUILT."

[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. 04-08-080, § 308-56A-460, filed 4/6/04, effective 5/7/04; 02-19-016, § 308-56A-460, filed 9/9/02, effective 10/10/02; 01-20-010, § 308-56A-460, filed 9/20/01, effective 10/21/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110 and 46.12.070. 00-06-025, § 308-56A-460, filed 2/23/00, effective 3/25/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. 92-15-024, § 308-56A-460, filed 7/6/92, effective 8/6/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110 and 46.12.070. 91-04-025, § 308-56A-460, filed 1/29/91, effective 3/1/91; Order MV 208, § 308-56A-460, filed 7/31/74.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 06-23-038, filed 11/7/06, effective 12/8/06)

WAC 308-56A-500   Definitions.   The following definitions apply to terms used in chapters 46.12 and 46.16 RCW and chapter 308-56A WAC:

     (1) "Affidavit in lieu of title" is a written declaration confirming the certificate of ownership((, registration certificate, validation tab are)) is unavailable, lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated. The affidavit in lieu of title may be used to release interest in the vehicle. The signature of the owner completing the affidavit in lieu of title must be notarized or certified as described in WAC 308-56A-270.

     (2) "Affidavit of loss" is a written statement confirming the certificate of ownership, registration certificate, validation tab or decal has been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated. The affidavit of loss release of interest form may be used to release interest in the vehicle and transfer gross weight license for that vehicle to a new owner. The signature of the owner completing the affidavit of loss release of interest must be notarized or certified as described in WAC 308-56A-270.

     (3) "Affixed" means attached.

     (4) "Brands" means a permanent notation on the electric vehicle record which prints on the certificate of ownership and vehicle registration certificate that records a circumstance or condition involving a vehicle.

     (5) "Brands incident date" is the date that a brand was first applied to a vehicle. For states/jurisdictions participating in the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), it's the date the brand was first reported. For all ((other)) states((/)) or jurisdictions, it is established by using the date the current title was issued. Brands on Washington records prior to the effective date of this rule will reflect a brand incident date equal to the date the last Washington certificate of ownership was issued.

     (6) "Certificate of ownership" (also referred to as "certificate of title" or "title") is a legal document indicating proof of ownership and will establish a fact or sustain a judgment unless contradictory evidence is produced. A certificate of ownership may be a document other than a title when a title document is not issued by a jurisdiction. For example, for Canadian vehicles, the certificate of ownership is the registration.

     (7) "Comment" means an indication on the certificate of ownership, vehicle title((/)) or registration application or vehicle registration certificate that relates to tax liability, type of ownership, title transaction type or a previous condition of the vehicle.

     (8) "Commercial parking company" means any business directly engaged in providing vehicle parking upon property owned or controlled by the business and approved for public parking of vehicles.

     (9) "Current license plate registration" means the current registration or one that has been expired less than one year.

     (10) (("Declaration in lieu of title" is a written statement confirming the certificate of ownership, registration certificate, validation tab is unavailable, lost, stolen, destroyed, or mutilated. The declaration in lieu of title may be used to release interest in the vehicle. The signature of the owner completing the declaration in lieu of title must be signed under penalty of perjury, as described in WAC 308-56A-270.

     (11) "Declaration of loss" is a written statement confirming the certificate of ownership, registration certificate, validation tab or decal has been lost, stolen, destroyed, or mutilated. The declaration of loss release of interest form may be used to release interest in the vehicle and transfer gross weight license for that vehicle to a new owner. The signature of the owner completing the declaration of loss release of interest must be signed under penalty of perjury, as described in WAC 308-56A-270.

     (12))) "Department" means the same as described in RCW 46.04.162.

     (((13))) (11) "Department temporary permit" is a permit issued temporarily in lieu of permanent registration and license plates when required documentation is unavailable.

     (((14))) (12) "Electronic/electronically filing" is ((the use of an electronic)) a method to transmit information to the department that may include, but is not limited to, the use of the internet ((and)) or facsimile.

     (((15))) (13) "Involuntary divestiture" means a change in vehicle ownership without the registered owner's involvement.

     (((16))) (14) "Impossible to affix" as used in RCW 46.12.240, means that there is nothing made by the manufacturer for the originally manufactured vehicle which would allow the license plate to be affixed to the vehicle in the manner prescribed in RCW 46.12.240.

     (15) "Joint tenancy with rights of survivorship" (JTWROS) means two or more people who own a vehicle in joint tenancy with the right to own individually if one of them dies.

     (((17))) (16) "Jurisdiction code" means an abbreviation ((assigned)) used by the department ((generally based on the U.S. Postal Service designation)) that indicates state, province, district, or country.

     (((18))) (17) "Legal owner" means the same as described in RCW 46.04.270.

     (((19))) (18) "Lien holder" means a person or entity that has a legal right or interest in another's property until a debt or duty that it secures is satisfied.

     (19) "Market value threshold amount" is the amount assigned to vehicles which includes a motor vehicle amount as defined in RCW 46.12.005 is required.

     (20) "Natural person" means a human being.

     (21) "Not eligible for road use" (NEFRU) means a vehicle that does not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards, other federal ((and/)) or state standards for public road use as adopted, applied, and enforced by the Washington state patrol described in RCW 46.37.005.

     (22) "A declaration under penalty of perjury" means a statement signed by the applicant to the effect - "I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of Washington that the information I have provided on this form is true and correct." Anyone who knowingly makes a false statement may be guilty of a crime under state law.

     (23) "Person" means the same as described in RCW 46.04.405.

     (24) "Personal representative" means:

     (a) An individual appointed by the court; or

     (b) An individual named in the last will and testament and confirmed by the court to manage the estate of a deceased person.

     Personal representative may also include executor, administrator, special administrator, and guardian or limited guardian and special representative as defined in RCW 11.02.005(1).

     (25) "Registered owner" means the same as described in RCW 46.04.460.

     (26) "Security interest" means a property interest created by agreement or by operation of law to secure performance of an obligation (repayment of a debt).

     (27) "Security interest holders" means in this instance, the same as "lien holder" as defined in subsection (((16))) (18) of this section.

     (28) "Secured party" means in this instance the same as "lien holder" as defined in subsection (((16))) (18) of this section.

     (29) "Standard brand" is a brand found on the brands list maintained by the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) program.

     (30) "Transferee" means a person to whom a vehicle is transferred, by purchase, gift, or any means other than by creation of a security interest, and any person who, as agent, signs an odometer disclosure statement for the transferee, when applicable.

     (31) "Transferor" means a person who transfers ownership in a vehicle by sale, gift, or any means other than by creation of a security interest and any person who, as agent, signs an odometer disclosure statement for the transferor, when applicable.

     (32) "Unique brand" means a brand issued by a state that is not participating in the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) program and does not appear on the brands list maintained by NMVTIS.

     (33) "Vehicle seller's report of sale" is a document or electronic record transaction that protects the seller of a vehicle from certain criminal and civil liabilities arising from use of the vehicle by another person after the vehicle has been sold or a change of ownership has occurred.

     (34) A "vehicle" is a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a highway, excepting a device moved exclusively by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

     (35) "Washington vehicle licensing office" means an office that is operated by the department or an agent or subagent appointed under RCW 46.01.140 for the purpose of carrying out the vehicle titling and registration provisions in Title 46 RCW.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110 and 46.12.101. 06-23-038, § 308-56A-500, filed 11/7/06, effective 12/8/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.16.010. 05-23-135, § 308-56A-500, filed 11/22/05, effective 1/3/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. 05-07-152, § 308-56A-500, filed 3/23/05, effective 5/15/05; 04-08-081, § 308-56A-500, filed 4/6/04, effective 5/7/04; 02-19-016, § 308-56A-500, filed 9/9/02, effective 10/10/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 65.20.110. 00-13-083, § 308-56A-500, filed 6/20/00, effective 7/21/00; 00-06-004, § 308-56A-500, filed 2/18/00, effective 3/20/00; 90-11-091, § 308-56A-500, filed 5/18/90, effective 6/18/90.]

OTS-2514.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 09-08-065, filed 3/27/09, effective 4/27/09)

WAC 308-63-010   Definitions -- General.   (1) Department - means the department of licensing of the state of Washington.

     (2) Director - means the director of the department of licensing.

     (3) Destroy - means the dismantling, disassembling or wrecking of a vehicle with the intent of never again operating such as a vehicle, or the sustaining of damage to a vehicle either (a) to the extent that the cost of repairing it exceeds its fair market value immediately prior to the accident or occurrence, or (b) to the extent that the cost of repairing it plus its salvage value in its damaged condition exceeds or approximately equals the market value of the vehicle in its repaired or restored condition.

     (4) Market value threshold amount is the amount assigned to vehicles which includes a motor vehicle having a designation that is at least six years before the calendar year in which the vehicle was wrecked, destroyed, or damaged. For vehicles six through twenty years old a statement whether or not the vehicle meets the market value threshold amount as defined in RCW 46.12.005 and WAC 308-56A-500 is also required.

     (5) Acquire - means the physical custody together with proof of ownership as provided under WAC 308-63-080.

     (((5))) (6) Custody - means the possession of a vehicle that the wrecker owns but for which ownership documents required in WAC 308-63-080 have not been received, or a vehicle placed for safekeeping by a law enforcement officer or others.

     (((6))) (7) Obscure - means to screen the wrecker activity from public view.

     (((7))) (8) Segregated area - means an area within the wrecking yard, which must be designated by a physical barrier. The physical barrier may be portable, made of substantial posts and connected by rope, chain, cable, or of other equally strong construction.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.80.140. 09-08-065, § 308-63-010, filed 3/27/09, effective 4/27/09; 01-03-141, § 308-63-010, filed 1/24/01, effective 2/24/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.55.190, 46.79.080 and 46.80.140. 93-08-076, § 308-63-010, filed 4/6/93, effective 5/7/93.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 09-08-065, filed 3/27/09, effective 4/27/09)

WAC 308-63-090   Vehicle wrecker -- Records and procedures for monthly reports.   What records must I keep and how do I handle the monthly report? (1) Wrecker books and files. The wrecker must maintain books and files that contain the following:

     (a) A record of each vehicle or part acquired giving:

     (i) A description of the vehicle or part by make, model, year, and for major component parts, except core parts, the vehicle identification number and "yard number" assigned at the time the vehicle or major component part was placed in the wrecking yard;

     (ii) The date purchased or acquired by the vehicle wrecker, and the name of the person, firm or corporation from which the vehicle or part was obtained;

     (iii) The certificate of ownership number if registered in a title state, or registration number if a nontitling state; or description of the document used in lieu of title, such as an affidavit of sale, a bill of sale for a vehicle or vehicle part;

     (iv) The name of the state and license number in the state that a vehicle was last registered; and

     (v) A statement indicating whether any used car or truck at least six years but not more than twenty years old met the market value threshold amount prior to the vehicle being wrecked, destroyed or damaged, as required by RCW 46.12.070 and WAC 308-56A-460(((3))). If this statement is not provided, when required, the department will treat the vehicle as if the wrecker indicated that the market value threshold was met prior to the vehicle being wrecked.

     What is "market value threshold amount?" The current market value threshold amount is six thousand seven hundred ninety dollars. For vehicles six through twenty years old a statement whether or not the vehicle meets the market value threshold amount as defined in RCW 46.12.005 and WAC 308-56A-500 is also required.

     How is the market value threshold amount determined? Using the current market value threshold amount described in RCW 46.12.005 each year the department will add the increased value if the increase is equal to or greater than fifty dollars.

     If the value is less than fifty dollars the department will track the increased value amount each year until the amount is equal to or greater than fifty dollars.

     (b) A record of the disposition of the motor, body, and major component parts giving the name of the person purchasing the part(s), if any. Sales to scrap processors must be accompanied by an invoice or bill of sale, listing each vehicle by its yard number. The wrecker must retain a copy of the invoice or bill of sale for purposes of inspection for three years.

     These records will be subject to inspection by authorized representatives of the department and law enforcement officials during regular business hours. The information must be entered in the wrecker's records within two business days of the event requiring the entry, such as receipt of a vehicle.

     (2) The vehicle wrecker must furnish written reports. By the tenth of the month following the month of acquisition of vehicles entered into the wrecking yard inventory, each wrecker must submit a report on the form prescribed by the department documenting that the vehicles were acquired and entered into the wrecking yard inventory during the previous month. Vehicles being held in the segregated storage area awaiting ownership documents, under WAC 308-63-070(8), will not be reported. The report must be made in duplicate. The original must be sent to the department and the duplicate retained for the wrecker's files. If no vehicles were acquired during that month, the monthly report must be sent in stating "none." The report must contain information for vehicles only as the wrecker is required to keep by subsection (1)(a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) of this section. The report must be accompanied by properly endorsed certificates of ownership or other adequate evidence of ownership and registration certificates. Records on acquisitions and sales of vehicle parts need not be included in reports submitted to the department but records must be kept for three years from the date of purchase and made available for inspection.

     (3) Identity of vehicles in yard. A yard number must identify all vehicles placed in the wrecking yard. The number must be assigned in the wrecker's records with numerals marked so as to be clearly visible and legible. If a part of a vehicle is sold which has the number on it, the yard number of the vehicle must be remarked in another location on the vehicle.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.80.140. 09-08-065, § 308-63-090, filed 3/27/09, effective 4/27/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110 and 46.12.101. 06-23-038, § 308-63-090, filed 11/7/06, effective 12/8/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.80.140. 05-14-093, § 308-63-090, filed 6/30/05, effective 7/31/05. Statutory Authority: Chapter 46.55 RCW. 02-19-036, § 308-63-090, filed 9/10/02, effective 10/11/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.80.140. 00-13-019, § 308-63-090, filed 6/12/00, effective 7/13/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.55.190, 46.79.080 and 46.80.140. 93-08-076, § 308-63-090, filed 4/6/93, effective 5/7/93.]

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