DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING

[Filed October 21, 2025, 10:18 a.m., effective November 21, 2025]

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

Purpose: This proposal amends WAC 308-96A-073 and 308-96A-074 to align 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." This proposed change will align with RCW 46.04.199, which establishes the age requirement of a vehicle eligible for a horseless carriage plate.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 308-96A-073 Antique vehicle—Horseless carriage license plate, and 308-96A-074 Collector vehicle and restored license plates.

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.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-17-095 on August 20, 2025.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 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.