PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 07-13-080.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 308-96A WAC, Vehicle licenses, specifically WAC 308-96A-099 Use class descriptions.
Hearing Location(s): Department of Licensing, Conference Room 108, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98507, on October 11, 2007, at 1:30 p.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: November 6, 2007.
Submit Written Comments to: Dale R. Brown, P.O. Box 2957, Mailstop 48205, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98507-2957, e-mail dbrown@dol.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-7821 or 902-7822, by October 10, 2007.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Dale R. Brown by October 10, 2007, TTY (360) 664-8885.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Rule making is required to streamline and make the rules more understandable.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: To make the rule more understanding and clear to the users.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.01.110.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: , governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Dale R. Brown, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA, (360) 902-4020; Implementation and Enforcement: Gary VanCamp, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA, (360) 902-0122.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. A small business economic impact statement is not required pursuant to RCW 19.85.030 (1)(a). The proposed rule making does not impose more than a minor cost on businesses in the industry.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The contents of the proposed rules are explicitly and specifically dictated by statute.
August 9, 2007
Julie Knittle
Assistant Director
Vehicle Services
OTS-9910.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 01-12-099, filed 6/6/01,
effective 7/7/01)
WAC 308-96A-099
Use class descriptions.
(1) Why does
the department assign use classes to vehicles?
The department assigns use classes to:
(a) ((Assess)) Change the proper license fees and taxes
for vehicles;
(b) Assign special brands on subsequent owner's certificate of ownership;
(c) Apply certain restrictions on the use of the vehicles, which prints on the vehicle registrations;
(d) Assign the proper license plates.
(2) Under what authority does the department assign use classes to vehicles?
The department assigns use classes under the authority of RCW 46.16.040.
(3) What use classes does the department assign and when do they apply?
The use classes the department assigns are described below:
ABBREVIATION | TRANSLATION | DESCRIPTION |
CAB | TAXI CAB | Motor vehicle (( |
C/G | CONVERTER GEAR | Vehicle is an axle that is used to convert a semi-trailer to a full
trailer. (( |
CMB | COMBINATION | Vehicle is either (1) a power unit with a declared gross weight of
42,000 pounds or more and (( |
CMP | CAMPER | (( |
COM | COMMERCIAL | Motor vehicle (( |
CYC | MOTORCYCLE | (( |
EX | EXEMPT | (( |
FAR | FARM | Motor vehicle is a truck (or tractor) used to transport the farmer's own farm, orchard or dairy products as defined in RCW 46.16.090, or aquatic products as defined in RCW 15.85.020, from point of production to market or warehouse. The vehicle may also be used to transport the farmer's own farm supplies. |
FCB | FARM COMBINATION |
Motor vehicle is (1) a power unit (not a trailer) with a declared gross weight of 42,000 pounds or more and towing a trailer; and (2) meets the criteria of FAR use class above. |
FED | FEDERAL | Vehicle is owned by the federal government of the United States. Like exempt vehicles, this could be any type of vehicle. This does not include vehicles displaying license plates issued by the federal government. |
FEX | FARM EXEMPT | Any motor vehicle (( |
FIX | FIXED LOAD | Motor vehicle as defined in RCW 46.16.070(1). These vehicles
have a unique use class because they are exempt from the law(( |
F/H | FOR HIRE | Motor vehicle is used to transport people and/or commodities for compensation as defined in RCW 46.72.010. A for hire permit from business and professions division (BPD) is required. |
H/C | HORSELESS CARRIAGE |
Motor vehicle (( |
H/D | HOUSE DOLLY | Vehicle constructed and used exclusively to move buildings or homes. |
LOG | LOGGING | Vehicle is a truck or trailer used exclusively for hauling logs. |
MH | MOTOR HOME | Motorized vehicle designed for human habitation and defined in RCW 46.04.305 |
MOB | MOBILE HOME | Vehicle is a manufactured home as defined in RCW 46.04.302. Mobile homes are titled but generally not registered because of their size. Manufactured homes are taxed by the county, either as personal property or real property. Mobil home use class does not include park model trailers. |
ORV | OFF-ROAD VEHICLE |
Vehicle is used off-road. A vehicle licensed only as an ORV may not be operated on public roadways or including ocean beaches. |
PAS | PASSENGER | Motor vehicle (( |
PED | MOPED | Motor vehicle as defined in RCW 46.04.304 and subject to the restrictions in RCW 46.61.710. |
(( |
||
RES | RESTORED | Motor vehicles (( |
SCH | SCHOOL | Motor vehicle (( |
SNO | SNOWMOBILE | Vehicle is a snowmobile as defined in RCW 46.10.020(2). |
SNX | EXEMPT SNOWMOBILE |
Vehicle is a snowmobile as defined in RCW 46.10.010(2) and owned by a city, county or state agency. |
STA | STAGE | Motor vehicle (( |
TLR | TRAILER | Vehicle is a personal use trailer as defined in RCW 46.04.620
(( |
TOW | TOW | Motor vehicle (( |
TRK | TRUCK | Motor vehicle is a personal use(( |
TVL | TRAVEL TRAILER |
Vehicle is a travel trailer as defined in RCW 46.04.623, which
includes park models (( |
Use classes are assigned as listed below:
(( |
||
All use classes-Scale weight |
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All use classes-Scale weight |
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All use classes-Scale weight |
||
No. If the vehicle qualifies as a motorcycle as defined in RCW 46.04.330 or 46.04.332, it will be licensed as a motorcycle for street use. However, if the vehicle has a bench seat and a steering wheel as defined in RCW 46.04.330 or 46.04.332, it will be licensed as a passenger vehicle or truck.
(((6))) (5) What license plates and use class will be
assigned to my for hire vehicle?
The license plates and use class assigned to your for
hire vehicle depends upon how you use your vehicle. All for
hire vehicles transport passengers and commodities for
compensation. For hire vehicles include cabulances,
limousines, taxi cabs, and ((busses)) buses hauling passengers
for compensation in addition to transporting school children. There are two use classes and license plate combinations
assigned to for hire vehicles:
(a) CAB use class vehicles are assigned passenger license plates. These vehicles are used exclusively for transporting passengers and their possessions; and
(b) F/H use class vehicles are assigned truck license plates. These vehicles not only transport passengers for compensation, but also transport commodities, without passengers, for compensation.
(((7))) (6) When may truck license plates be assigned to
my passenger vehicle?
Truck license plates may be assigned to your passenger vehicle whenever the vehicle is used to transport commodities, produce, freight or animals for commercial purposes. The use class would be COM instead of PAS. This would require a title application, a scale weight slip and a certified/notarized statement of use describing how the vehicle will be used commercially.
(((8) When may passenger license plates be assigned to my
pick-up truck?
Passenger license plates may only be assigned to your pick-up truck if it has been modified to qualify as a passenger vehicle. The department requires confirmation from the Washington state patrol that the vehicle has been modified to qualify for passenger use.
(9))) (7) What use classes and license plates will be assigned to school buses?
(a) EX use class and county exempt license plates will be assigned to a school bus owned or leased by an exempt agency (school district);
(b) SCH use class and passenger license plates will be
assigned to a school bus owned or leased by an accredited
private school; ((or))
(c) F/H use class and truck license plates will be assigned to school buses used for transporting passengers for compensation and not used exclusively for transporting school children to and from school or school related activities;
(d) (PAS) passenger; or
(e) (COM) commercial.
(((10))) (8) May I license my motorcycle or any other
motor vehicle for both road and off road use?
Yes, you may license your motorcycle or any other motor vehicle for both uses as long as the vehicle qualifies for road use. You will receive two registration certificates showing the vehicle is licensed for both uses. However, the certificate of ownership will show the use class associated with the road use.
(((11) May I license my amphibious vehicle as a vehicle
and a vessel?
Yes, you may license your amphibious vehicle for both uses as long as it qualifies for both uses. You will receive two registration certificates showing the vehicle is licensed for both uses. However, the certificate of ownership will show the use class associated with the road use.
(12))) (9) May I license my truck, truck tractor or tractor as a motor home?
Yes, you may license your truck, truck tractor or tractor as a motor home if:
(a) The vehicle meets the definition of a motor home in RCW 46.04.305; and
(b) ((You provide a Washington state patrol inspection
confirming your vehicle may be licensed as a motor home; and
(c))) You certify the vehicle qualifies as M/H and will
be used exclusively as a motor home for personal use and
((is)) not ((used)) for commercial use.
(((13))) (10) Is my truck, truck tractor or tractor which
I use exclusively for towing my travel trailer licensed
differently than any other like truck?
No. Your truck, truck tractor or tractor used exclusively for towing your travel trailer must be licensed in accordance with RCW 46.16.070. Depending on scale weight the use class will be TRK or COM.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. 01-12-099, § 308-96A-099, filed 6/6/01, effective 7/7/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.16.276, 43.17.060, 46.16.600 and 46.01.110. 99-06-029, § 308-96A-099, filed 2/24/99, effective 3/27/99.]