WSR 26-08-054

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING

[Filed March 26, 2026, 5:13 p.m.]

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT ISSUED

The department of licensing (DOL) has issued the following vehicles and vessels advisory: DOL Advisory No. 2025-3 Temporary Pause of the Advanced Clean Cars and Trucks Emission Standards for Vehicle Registration.

This vehicle/vessel advisory addresses the application of vehicle registration under chapter 46.16A RCW. This advisory notice explains DOL's temporary process change for registering light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles that might not meet certain California emissions standards. A temporary pause will be in effect, allowing heavy-duty trucks with a model year of 2025 or newer to be registered. Additionally, all light-duty and medium-duty vehicles with a model year of 2026 or newer can be registered, even if their manufacturer's certificate of origin (MCO) or manufacturer's statement of origin (MSO) says they cannot be sold or registered in Washington or California.

In coordination with the department of ecology's (ecology) June 6, 2025, guidance, this notice details the registration changes made in response to federal and ecology action. While ecology's policy guidance is in place, the following vehicle classes are eligible for registration:


•	Light and medium-duty vehicles with a model year of 2025 or newer.


o	Light-duty vehicles have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 8,500 lbs. or less.
o	Medium-duty vehicles have a GVWR of 14,000 lbs. or less.
o	This includes lighter vehicles such as passenger cars, pickup trucks, vans, Class 2b-3 commercial vehicles, and SUVs.


•	Heavy-duty vehicles with a model year of 2025 or newer.


o	These vehicles have a GVWR of 14,001 lbs. or more.
o	This includes larger commercial trucks such as Class 4-6, Class 7 and 8, semi-trucks, refuse trucks, motorcoaches, and school buses.
o	Internal combustion engine heavy-duty vehicles that would be subject to the heavy-duty low NOx omnibus in model year 2026 are additionally eligible for registration through December 31, 2026.

Information on whether a new vehicle meets California and Washington's emissions standards can be found on a new vehicle's MSO, MCO, or a vehicle's window sticker.