Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee
HB 1486
Brief Description: Authorizing military surplus vehicles to operate on public highways.
Sponsors: Representatives Orcutt, Leavitt, Chapman, Shavers and Christian.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Defines "military surplus vehicle" to mean a nontracked vehicle manufactured and originally sold directly to the Armed Forces of the United States and is no longer owned by the United States Armed Forces.
  • Allows military surplus vehicles to be titled and registered as collector vehicles.
  • Requires military surplus vehicles to meet limited use, insurance coverage, and safety inspection requirements.
Hearing Date: 2/13/23
Staff: Beth Redfield (786-7140).
Background:

A "collectible vehicle" is defined to mean a vehicle which is of unique or rare design, is maintained primarily for infrequent use, and has collectible vehicle insurance coverage that restricts the mileage or use of the vehicle and requires the owner to have another vehicle for personal use.

 

A "collector vehicle" is defined to mean any motor vehicle or travel trailer that is at least 30 years old.  Collector vehicles may only be used for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and occasional driving.

 
A registered owner may apply for a collector vehicle license plate.  The owner may receive a collector vehicle license plate that is assigned by the Department of Licensing or the owner can provide an actual Washington state-issued license plate designated for general use in the year the vehicle was manufactured.

 

Collector vehicle license plates:

  • are valid for the life of the vehicle;
  • are not required to be renewed;
  • may be transferred from one vehicle to another vehicle, if the license plate was provided by the owner; and
  • must be displayed on the rear of the motor vehicle.


It is a traffic infraction to operate on any highway a motor vehicle that is not at all times equipped with lighting and other equipment required by the Washington State Patrol (WSP).
Summary of Bill:

A "military surplus vehicle" is defined to mean a nontracked vehicle manufactured and originally sold directly to the Armed Forces of the United States and is no longer owned by the United States Armed Forces.


The definition of a collectible vehicle is expanded to include a military surplus vehicle.  The definition of a collector vehicle is expanded to include a military surplus vehicle, regardless of age of the military surplus vehicle, allowing these types of vehicles to be registered as collector vehicles and receive special collector vehicle license plates.  The types of events allowed for a collector vehicle are expanded to include veterans' events.


In order to apply for a certificate of title for a military surplus vehicle, the vehicle owner must submit a certification that the military surplus vehicle:

  • will be maintained for occasional transportation, exhibitions, veterans' events, club activities, parades, tours, and similar uses;
  • will not be used for daily transportation;
  • will only be driven when covered by a motor vehicle liability insurance policy with the current liability limits for personal vehicle; and
  • received a certificate of safety inspection completed by a licensed motor vehicle repair shop documenting the military surplus vehicle has the original safety equipment in good operating condition on the vehicle at the time of its manufacture, or has been replaced by an equal or more effective safety equipment in good working order.

 

Military surplus vehicles that have collector vehicle license plates are exempted from vehicle lighting and other equipment requirements established by the WSP.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2024.