SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6176
As of January 26, 2026
Title: An act relating to the enforcement of failure to renew an expired vehicle registration.
Brief Description: Concerning the enforcement of failure to renew an expired vehicle registration.
Sponsors: Senators King and Liias.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/26/26.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Creates a traffic infraction of failing to renew an expired registration of a vehicle parked, standing, and unoccupied on public property and certain private property under certain circumstances.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Staff: Brandon Popovac (786-7465)
Background:

It is unlawful for a person to operate a vehicle on a public highway of this state without having in full force and effect a current and proper vehicle registration and displaying license plates on the vehicle. Failure to initially register a vehicle before operating the vehicle on the public highways of this state is a traffic infraction, with a total fine of $1,136. Failure to renew an expired vehicle registration before operating a vehicle on the public highways of this state is also a traffic infraction, with a total fine of $150 if the registration has been expired two months or less or $242 if the registration has been expired for more than two months.

 

The 2025-27 biennial transportation budget provided funds to the Department of Licensing to send periodic notifications to vehicle owners with significantly expired vehicle registrations to increase compliance with annual vehicle registration requirements. Notifications must contain information about vehicle registration requirements and possible penalties associated with operating a vehicle with an expired registration.
Summary of Bill:

Failure to renew an expired registration of a vehicle parked, standing, and unoccupied on the public right-of-way, on publicly owned property, or within a privately owned, off-street parking facility imposing vehicle parking fees is a traffic infraction. The infraction is issued to the registered owner, but is not part of the registered owner's driving record and must be processed in the same manner as a parking infraction.

 

Enforcement of such an infraction within a privately owned, off-street parking facility imposing vehicle parking fees may only occur if the facility owner consents to such enforcement and sufficient notice is provided to persons accessing such facilities.

 

The penalty for failure to renew an expired registration of a parked, standing, and unoccupied vehicle is $145 if the registration has been expired two months or less or $248 if the registration has been expired for more than two months.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 20, 2026.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO: Currently law enforcement can only enforce expired car tabs as a traffic infraction when the vehicle is operating. Drivers have more of an incentive not to renew car tabs as other applicable vehicle registration fees are too high. The bill ensures more fairness.

 

CON: The bill represents another money grab that would only result in a few crumbs of extra revenue. Voters have said they do not want to pay more than $30 car tabs. Drivers have been silently protesting the costs of car tabs through nonpayment. Drivers are confused on overall car tab expenses and costs. The Department of Licensing's license express service is not effective or well used.

 

OTHER: Testifier was available for questions.
Persons Testifying:

PRO: Senator Curtis King, Prime Sponsor.

CON: Jeff Pack, Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes; Tim Eyman, Initiative Activist.
OTHER: Brandon Bannister, Washington State Department of Licensing.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.