HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5462
As Reported by House Committee On:
Transportation
Title: An act relating to addressing the current backlog of vehicle inspections.
Brief Description: Addressing the current backlog of vehicle inspections.
Sponsors: Senators Braun, Chapman and Wilson, J..
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 3/13/25, 3/19/25 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Exempts all-terrain vehicles, wheeled all-terrain vehicles, and utility type vehicles from most vehicle identification number inspection requirements.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 27 members:Representatives Fey, Chair; Bernbaum, Vice Chair; Donaghy, Vice Chair; Reed, Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Low, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Mendoza, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Schmidt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bronoske, Dent, Duerr, Entenman, Griffey, Hunt, Klicker, Ley, Nance, Orcutt, Paul, Ramel, Richards, Stuebe, Taylor, Timmons, Volz, Wylie and Zahn.
Staff: Sandy Myer (786-7140).
Background:

A vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection is required by the Department of Licensing (DOL) before the vehicle owner can receive a certificate of title.  The VIN inspection fee is $65 which is deposited into the State Patrol Highway Account.  The Washington State Patrol (WSP) or other authorized inspector is required to complete a VIN inspection when a vehicle:

  • is declared a total loss or salvaged and not kept by the registered owner;
  • has been rebuilt after the certificate of title was returned to the state; or
  • has been presented to the state with documents that show the vehicle was a total loss or salvaged in another state and has not been reissued a valid registration certificate.

 

A VIN inspection is also required when certain kinds of vehicles are being titled in the state for the first time, including a kit vehicle, a homemade vehicle, a street rod, a customer vehicle, or a vehicle where there is a question about the VIN documentation on the vehicle.

 

Other entities or individuals may be designated by the Director of the DOL to perform VIN inspections if the vehicle is in another state or country and the requirement for inspection by the WSP would cause undue hardship.
Summary of Bill:

The VIN inspection requirements are exempted for all-terrain vehicles, wheeled all-terrain vehicles, and utility type vehicles that have been declared a total loss or salvaged.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill is intended to reduce the backlog of VIN inspections for the WSP.  Currently, snowmobiles and some nonhighway vehicles are not required to have VIN inspections.  This bill is aimed at a small amount of the VIN inspections that don't fit the need for inspection which is primarily aimed at automobiles to ensure they are rebuilt with properly purchased parts and labeled.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Senator John Braun, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.