Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
HB 2481
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Establishing exceptions to trailer license plate display requirements.
Sponsors: Representatives Thai, Doglio and Ryu.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/22/20
Staff: Beth Redfield (786-7140).
Background:
Vehicles required to be registered with the Department of Licensing (DOL) must display license plates or decals assigned by the DOL.
For trailers, only a single rear license plate is required. The license plate must be:
attached to the rear of the vehicle;
kept clean and be able to be plainly seen and read at all times; and
attached in a horizontal position at a distance of not more than 4 feet from the ground.
The Washington State Patrol may grant exceptions to the above license plate display requirements if the body construction of the vehicle makes compliance impossible.
Summary of Bill:
A trailer license plate may be obstructed by a device for transporting a forklift used for product delivery purposes, provided that the requirements below are met:
the device must be installed according to manufacturer specifications or generally accepted installation practices; and
the device must not prevent the license plate from being read from one or more accessible viewing angles.
For purposes of license plate visibility, a trailer license plate may be relocated on the trailer or the connected truck tractor to a position which is more than 4 feet from the ground.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 16, 2020.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.