The overall cost of implementing a new special vehicle license plate is approximately $30,000 and must be paid back in two years by the sponsoring organization.  Once the total cost is recouped, the proceeds of the plate sales will be distributed to the sponsoring organization.  The Department of Licensing (DOL) is allowed to retain $12 of the amount paid for special license plate issuance and $2 from the amount paid to renew the plates for administrative expenses.

The Seattle Sounders FC special license plate is an existing special license plate where the DOL has recouped the cost of implementing the special license plate.  Proceeds from the sale of the plate after accounting for administrative expenses go to support the Washington State Mentors to increase the number of mentors within the state and to the Washington State Leadership Board to develop educational, veterans, international relations, and civics projects, and to recognize the outstanding public service of individuals or groups in the State of Washington.

Proceeds from the sale of the Seattle Sounders FC special license plate, after accounting for administrative expenses, are directed to the RAVE foundation, the official charitable arm of the Seattle Sounders FC.