Effective Date of Rule: November 1, 2006.

     Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: The definitions are removed from RCW 46.04.274 effective November 1, 2006.

     Purpose: RCW 46.04.274 was changed (effective November 1, 2006) so that all definitions of limousines will be in rule. This change will allow vehicles that can be used as limousines but were not in the old law to be licensed as well as add new categories of limousines to be licensed.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.04.274.

     Other Authority: Chapter 46.72A RCW.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 06-12-012 on May 26, 2006.

     Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: The definition for "stretch limousine" had a maximum wheelbase of 277 inches that has been increased to 285 inches. Also, the definition for "stretch sport utility vehicle" has a maximum wheelbase of 280 inches that has been increased to 325 inches.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1 [0], Amended [1], Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: October 1, 2006.

Ralph Osgood

Assistant Director

Business and Professions Division

OTS-8879.3

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 96-16-032, filed 8/1/96, effective 9/1/96)

WAC 308-87-010   Definitions.   Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

     (1) "Limousine" ((as defined in chapter 87, Laws of 1996.)) means a category of for hire, chauffeur-driven, unmetered, unmarked luxury motor vehicles that meet one of the following definitions:

     (a) "Stretch limousine" means an automobile with a seating capacity of not more than twelve passengers behind the driver, and a maximum wheelbase of 285 inches. The wheelbase has been factory or otherwise altered beyond the original manufacturer's specifications and meets standards of the United States Department of Transportation. The automobile is equipped with amenities in the rear seating area not normally found in passenger cars. These amenities may include, but are not limited to, a television, musical sound system, telephone, ice storage, power-operated dividers, or additional interior lighting. Rear tailgates or hatches are not to be used as a primary door for loading or unloading passengers. The term "stretch limousine" excludes trucks, auto transportation companies, excursion buses, charter buses, minibuses, vehicles regulated under chapter 81.66 RCW, taxicabs, executive sedans, executive sport utility vehicles, stretch sport utility vehicles, funeral home vehicles, station wagons, executive vans, vans, minivans, and courtesy vans.

     (b) "Executive sedan" means a four-door sedan automobile having a seating capacity of not more than three passengers behind the driver and a minimum wheelbase of 114.5 inches. An executive sedan is equipped with standard factory amenities, and the wheelbase may not be altered. The term "executive sedan" excludes trucks, auto transportation companies, excursion buses, minibuses, charter buses, vehicles regulated under chapter 81.66 RCW, taxicabs, stretch limousines, executive sport utility vehicles, stretch sport utility vehicles, funeral home vehicles, station wagons, executive vans, vans, minivans, and courtesy vans.

     (c) "Executive van" means a van, minivan, or minibus having a seating capacity of not less than seven passengers and not more than fourteen passengers behind the driver. The term "executive van" excludes trucks, auto transportation companies, excursion buses, charter buses, vehicles regulated under chapter 81.66 RCW, taxicabs, stretch limousines, executive sedans, executive sport utility vehicles, stretch sport utility vehicles, funeral home vehicles, station wagons, and courtesy vans.

     (d) "Classic car" means a fine or distinctive, American or foreign automobile that is thirty years old or older.

     (e) "Executive sport utility vehicle" means an automobile with a seating capacity of not less than three passengers and not more than six passengers behind the driver, and a minimum wheelbase of 116 inches that has not been altered. Rear tailgates or hatches are not to be used as a primary door for loading or unloading passengers. The term "executive sport utility vehicle" excludes trucks, auto transportation companies, excursion buses, minibuses, charter buses, vehicles regulated under chapter 81.66 RCW, taxicabs, stretch limousines, executive sedans, stretch sport utility vehicles, funeral home vehicles, station wagons, executive vans, vans, minivans, and courtesy vans.

     (f) "Stretch sport utility vehicle" means an automobile with a seating capacity of not more than fourteen passengers behind the driver or a total of fifteen occupants including the driver and a maximum wheelbase of 325 inches that has been factory or otherwise altered beyond the original manufacturer's specifications and meets standards of the United States Department of Transportation. The automobile is equipped with amenities in the rear seating area not normally found in passenger cars. These amenities may include, but are not limited to, a television, musical sound system, telephone, ice storage, power-operated dividers, or additional interior lighting. Rear tailgates or hatches are not to be used as a primary door for loading or unloading passengers. The term "stretch sport utility vehicle" excludes trucks, auto transportation companies, excursion buses, minibuses, charter buses, vehicles regulated under chapter 81.66 RCW, taxicabs, stretch limousines, executive sedans, executive sport utility vehicles, funeral home vehicles, station wagons, executive vans, vans, minivans, and courtesy vans.

     (2) "Business owner" means operator or carrier as defined in chapter ((87, Laws of 1996)) 46.72A RCW.

     (3) "Person or persons" means an individual, a corporation, association, joint stock association, partnership, limited liability partnership or limited liability ((companies)) company, or their lessees, trustees, or receivers.

     (4) "Public highway" includes every public street, road, or highway in this state.

     (5) "Chauffeur" means any person with a valid Washington state driver's license and authorized to drive a limousine as defined in chapter ((87, Laws of 1996)) 46.72A RCW.

     (6) "Master license" as defined in chapter 19.02 RCW.

     (7) "Vehicle certificate" is a limousine vehicle certificate issued by the department which must be carried in the limousine vehicle at all times. The vehicle certificate is not the vehicle registration.

     (8) "Passenger capacity" may be determined using the information found on the label that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be affixed to the vehicle pursuant to 49 CFR, parts 567 and 568. In absence of the label, a member of the Washington state patrol or the department of licensing may determine the passenger capacity upon visual inspection of the vehicle.

[Statutory Authority: 1996 c 87. 96-16-032, § 308-87-010, filed 8/1/96, effective 9/1/96.]

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