The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues special vehicle license plates that may be used in lieu of standard plates.  A governmental or nonprofit sponsoring organization seeking to sponsor a special plate either submits an application to DOL or requests legislation to create the special plate.

Under the DOL application method, the application packet must include the design of the special license plate, proof of 3500 signatures in support of the special license plate, and a start-up fee of $6,300.  For special license plates enacted by the Legislature, a sponsoring organization must submit prepayment of all start-up costs to DOL within 30 days of enactment.

The sponsoring organization seeking to sponsor the special plate is required to reimburse DOL for the costs of establishing the new special plate.  If the sponsoring organization is not able to meet the prepayment requirement, revenues generated from the sale of the special license plate are first used to pay off any costs associated with establishing the new plate.  The sponsoring organization must also provide a proposed license plate design to DOL.  The sponsoring organization must submit an annual financial report to DOL detailing actual revenues generated from the sale of the special license plate.  The reports are reviewed, approved, and presented to the Joint Transportation Committee.

DOL collects special license plate fees, and for administrative expenses, deducts an amount not to exceed $12 for new plate issuance and $2 for renewal.  After these expenses are paid, the state treasurer deposits the proceeds into the Motor Vehicle Account until DOL determines the start-up costs for a special license plate are paid.  After that point, all remaining proceeds go to the sponsoring organization.

The Patches Pal special license plate is created with the purpose of supporting Seattle Children's Hospital Strong Against Cancer Program.  In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application for a vehicle registration, a fee of $40 is charged for the original issuance of a Patches Pal special license plate, and a $30 fee is charged for the renewal of the plate.

By October 1, 2031, and each decade thereafter, DOL must consult with Seattle Children's Hospital, and determine whether the Patches Pal license plate design is the best design to support Seattle Children's Hospital Strong Against Cancer Program in the following ten year time period.  If it is determined that a different group of appropriate children's characters would better support the program due to public interest at that time, DOL must redesign the Patches Pal license plates with these new characters and a new corresponding plate name.  The costs associated with this consultation and redesign may be paid from the proceeds from the special license plate sales or they must be covered by Seattle Children's Hospital.