RCW 46.16A.180
Registration certificates—Formats—Requirements—Penalty—Exception—Manual removal of registrant's address.
(1) A registration certificate must be:
(a) Signed by the registered owner, or if a firm or corporation, the signature of one of its officers or other authorized agent, to be valid;
(b) Carried in the vehicle for which it is issued; and
(c) Provided to law enforcement and the department by the operator of the vehicle upon demand.
(d) The registration certificate required by this section may be provided in either paper or electronic format. Acceptable electronic formats include the display of electronic images on a cellular phone or any other type of portable electronic device.
(2) It is unlawful for any person to operate or be in possession of a vehicle without carrying a registration certificate for the vehicle. Any person in charge of a vehicle shall, upon demand of any of the local authorities or of any police officer or of any representative of the department, permit an inspection of the vehicle registration certificate. This section does not apply to a vehicle for which registration is not required to be renewed annually and is a publicly owned vehicle marked as required under RCW 46.08.065.
(3) Beginning January 1, 2023, paper issued registrations [registration] certificates for vehicles or trailers must be printed to allow for the manual removal of a registrant's address, by the named registered owner, without compromising any required information on the certificate.
[ 2022 c 36 § 2; 2013 c 157 § 3; 2010 c 161 § 432; 2010 c 8 § 9014; 1986 c 18 § 16; 1979 ex.s. c 113 § 3; 1969 ex.s. c 170 § 11; 1967 c 32 § 19; 1961 c 12 § 46.16.260. Prior: 1955 c 384 § 18; 1937 c 188 § 8; RRS § 6312-8. Formerly RCW 46.16.260.]
NOTES:
Finding—2022 c 36: "(1) The legislature finds that printing addresses on vehicle registrations provides an opportunity for thieves that break into vehicles to use the information for nefarious purposes that can be avoided if the address is not printed on the vehicle registration certificate.
(2) Furthermore, law enforcement agencies have access to databases that include the vehicle registrant's address so such information does not need to be printed on paper vehicle registration certificates.
(3) In order to reduce criminal opportunities, the legislature directs the department of licensing to print addresses on vehicle, trailer, and vessel registration certificates in a location that facilitates the removal of the address." [ 2022 c 36 § 1.]
Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 46.16A - Registration.
46.16A.025 - Adjustment of vehicle registration periods to stagger renewal periods.
46.16A.040 - Original registration—Application—Form and contents.
46.16A.050 - Registration—Requirements before issuance—Penalty—Rules.
46.16A.070 - Registration—Cancellation, refusal, etc.—Appeals.
46.16A.080 - Registration—Exemptions.
46.16A.090 - Registration—Voluntary and opt-out donations—Discover pass.
46.16A.100 - Registration—Federal heavy vehicle use tax.
46.16A.110 - Registration renewal—Exemptions.
46.16A.130 - Notice of liability insurance requirement.
46.16A.140 - "Resident" defined—Natural person residency requirements—Vehicle registration required.
46.16A.150 - Purchasing a vehicle with foreign plates.
46.16A.160 - Nonresident exemption—Reciprocity—Rules.
46.16A.170 - Exemptions from vehicle license fees—State and publicly owned vehicles.
46.16A.175 - Exemptions from vehicle license fees—Vehicles owned by Indian tribes—Conditions.
46.16A.185 - Requirement for commercial motor vehicle registration certificate.
46.16A.190 - Replacement registration certificates.
46.16A.210 - Emblems—Material, display requirements.
46.16A.215 - Military emblems—Fees.
46.16A.230 - Tribal license plates and vehicle registration—Compacts.
46.16A.300 - Temporary permits—Authority—Dealer fees—Secure system.
46.16A.305 - Temporary permits—Application form and contents—Display and duration—Application fee.
46.16A.320 - Vehicle trip permits—Restrictions and requirements—Fee—Penalty—Rules.
46.16A.330 - Farm vehicle trip permits—Restrictions and requirements—Fee—Rules.
46.16A.340 - Temporary permits for nonresident members of armed forces—Fee—Rules.
46.16A.360 - Thirty, sixty, or ninety-day permits for registered out-of-state commercial vehicles.
46.16A.405 - Campers, mopeds, and wheelchair conveyances.
46.16A.410 - Commercial motor vehicles.
46.16A.420 - Farm vehicles—Farm exempt decal—Fee—Rules.
46.16A.425 - Farm vehicles based on gross weight—Farm tabs—Penalty.
46.16A.435 - Off-road motorcycles—Declaration required—Contents.
46.16A.440 - Private use, single-axle trailers—Reduced license fee.
46.16A.445 - Street rod or custom vehicles.
46.16A.450 - Trailers—Permanent license plates and registration—Penalty—Rules.
46.16A.455 - Trucks, buses, and for hire vehicles based on gross weight.
46.16A.500 - Liability of operator, owner, lessee for violations.
46.16A.520 - Allowing unauthorized person to drive—Penalty.
46.16A.530 - Unlawful to carry passengers for hire without vehicle registration.
46.16A.540 - Overloading registered capacity—Additional registration—Penalties—Exceptions.