DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING

[Filed August 20, 2025, 11:02 a.m.]

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 308-96A-073 Antique vehicle—Horseless carriage license plate, and 308-96A-074 Collector vehicle and restored license plates.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Amending WAC 308-96A-073 and 308-96A-074 to include collector vehicle insurance requirements, secondary vehicle requirements, and eligible vehicle manufacturer dates.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: This proposal aligns WAC with RCW 46.18.220 by including the collector vehicle insurance requirement, secondary vehicle requirement, and updating the definition of horseless carriage license plate as "a vehicle manufactured or built before January 1, 1916." Additionally, it aligns WAC with RCW 46.04.199, which establishes the age requirement of a vehicle eligible for a horseless carriage license plate.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.04.199 Horseless carriage license plate, 46.16A.070 Registration—Cancellation, refusal, etc.—Appeals, 46.18.220 Collector vehicle license plates, and 46.18.255 Horseless carriage license plates.

Statute Being Implemented: SB 5127 passed during the 2025 legislative session.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: Department of licensing, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Chante Vernie, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, 360-902-3937.

This notice meets the following criteria to use the expedited adoption process for these rules:

Content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute.

Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: All changes are reflected in statutory requirements per SB 5127 passed during the 2025 legislative session.

THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Ellis Starrett, Department of Licensing, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-902-3937, email rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov, BEGINNING September 3, 2025, AND RECEIVED BY October 21, 2025.

Rules and Policy Manager

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 15-10-005, filed 4/22/15, effective 5/23/15)

WAC 308-96A-073Antique vehicle—Horseless carriage license plate.

(1) What is a horseless carriage license plate? A horseless carriage license plate is a single license plate issued to a qualified motor vehicle owned by a collector as defined in RCW 46.04.125. It must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle for which it was issued.

(2) What vehicles qualify for a horseless carriage license plate? Any motor vehicle which is:

(a) ((At least forty years old))Manufactured or built before January 1, 1916; and

(b) Capable of being operated upon the highway; and

(d) Operated primarily as a collector vehicle under RCW 46.18.220.

(3) May I transfer my horseless carriage license plate to another antique vehicle? No. Horseless carriage license plates are not transferable to any other motor vehicle.

(4) What additional fees are required to obtain a horseless carriage license plate? In addition to all other license fees required by law, the applicant must pay a fee of ((thirty-five dollars))$35 for a horseless carriage license plate.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 19-16-146, filed 8/7/19, effective 9/7/19)

WAC 308-96A-074Collector vehicle and restored license plates.

(1) What is a collector vehicle license plate? For the purposes of this section, a collector vehicle license plate is a special license plate indicating "Collector Vehicle." The smaller size collector vehicle license plate is available for motorcycles and travel trailers. Collector vehicle owners must conform to the rules under RCW 46.18.220.

(2) What vehicles qualify for a collector vehicle license plate? The vehicle must:

(a) Be at least 30 years old; and

(b) Have valid Washington state registration.

(3) What must be provided to qualify for a collector vehicle license plate? An applicant must:

(a) Provide proof of ownership and a valid registration certificate for a second vehicle that will be used for daily driving, commuting, or business purposes; and

(b) Provide proof of a current vehicle liability insurance policy or a collector vehicle insurance policy for the collector vehicle, with limits of at least the amounts listed under RCW 46.29.090.

(4)What fees are required to obtain a collector vehicle license plate? In addition to all other license fees required by law, the applicant must pay an additional fee of ((thirty-five dollars))$35.

(((3)))(5)What is a "restored license plate"? A restored license plate is a Washington state issued license plate designated for general use in the year of the vehicle's manufacture. The restored license plate may not be a specialized license plate. The restored license plate may be used instead of a collector vehicle license plate or horseless carriage license plate. The license plate must be restored to such a condition that it may be identified with the year of the vehicle's manufacture. Reproductions of the original are not acceptable for use as a restored license plate.

(((4)))(6)How is a restored license plate to be displayed? The owner must display a single plate on the rear of the vehicle. If the vehicle owner has two identical license plates, the second license plate may be displayed on the front of the vehicle.

(((5)))(7)If I sell my vehicle may I keep my restored license plate? Yes. The restored plate(s) may be reassigned to another qualifying vehicle.

(((6)))(8)May I replace my restored license plate with another restored license plate? Yes, however, your vehicle record must be updated with the department to reflect the new plate number before it may be displayed on the vehicle.

(((7)))(9)What fees are required to have a restored license plate assigned to my vehicle? In addition to all other title and license fees required by law, you must pay an additional fee of ((thirty-five dollars))$35.

(((8)))(10)Will I be able to apply for a refund of fees if I decide to change my restored use plate to a regular issue plate? No. There is no provision in the law to issue a refund.

(((9)))(11)May I apply the fees I paid for my restored plate towards the purchase of regular issued plates? No. Full fees must be paid for the new plates.