TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

[Filed August 22, 2025, 10:29 a.m., effective October 1, 2025]

Effective Date of Rule: October 1, 2025.

Purpose: In order to meet statutory direction, this rule eliminates tolling exemptions for publicly and privately operated transit buses, vans, and ride share vehicles on tolled bridges (State Route (SR) 520 Bridge and the SR 16 Tacoma Narrows Bridge), effective October 1, 2025.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 468-270-085.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 47.46.100, 47.56.030, 47.46.105, 47.56.795, and 47.56.850.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-13-097 on June 17, 2025.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: August 19, 2025.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-17-163, 19-01-066 and 19-10-006, filed 8/21/18, 12/14/18 and 4/18/19, effective 8/1/19)

WAC 468-270-085What vehicles are exempt from paying tolls on all toll facilities on Washington state highways?

(1) Except as provided herein, all vehicles using a toll facility must pay the required toll. Vehicles crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge are required to pay a toll only in the eastbound direction. Additional exemptions for high occupancy vehicles apply on the SR 167 ((HOT))express toll lanes and I-405 express toll lanes as defined in WAC 468-270-105 and 468-270-115 respectively.

(2) Only qualified vehicles may be exempted from paying tolls. Exempted vehicles must provide directly for the operation, maintenance, safety, and/or person-carrying capacity of the tolled roadway or for emergency response. The registered owner and operator of the qualified vehicle must comply with the requirements of the department to obtain the exemption as specified in WAC 468-270-095.

(3) The following vehicles, as defined further in WAC 468-270-030, shall qualify for exemption on the I-405 and SR 167 express toll lanes, the SR 99 Tunnel, and the Puget Sound Gateway facility (SR 509 Expressway and SR 167 Expressway):

(((1)))(a) Highway and transit operating and maintenance vehicles, as authorized by the department;

(((2)))(b) Tow trucks authorized by the Washington state patrol responding to clear vehicles from the toll facility;

(((3)))(c) Authorized, on-duty emergency vehicles;

(((4)))(d) Publicly owned or operated transit buses;

(((5)))(e) Passenger motor vehicles licensed for ride-sharing as defined in RCW 46.18.285;

(((6)))(f) School buses; and

(((7)))(g) Privately owned and operated passenger buses meeting annual certification requirements of the department.

(4) The following vehicles, as defined further in WAC 468-270-030, shall qualify for exemption on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and SR 520 Bridge:

(a) Highway and transit operating and maintenance vehicles, as authorized by the department;

(b) Tow trucks authorized by the Washington state patrol responding to clear vehicles from the toll facility;

(d) School buses.