Car Registration in Washington

UPDATE: Washington Ends Vehicle Inspection Program

On January 2, 2020, the state of Washington ended its requirement for vehicle emissions inspections prior to registration and/or renewal. The clean air program begun in 1982 had a projected end date of 2020—as the state has confirmed a significant improvement in air quality, the program is no longer needed.

For more information, head over to the Washington Department of Ecology's announcement.

The Washington State Department of Licensing requires all residents to title and register their vehicles in order to get WA license plates and legally operate on the state's roads and highways. Titling your vehicle and registering are the same process in Washington, so both will be completed at the same time.

If you already have a Washington registration, you will want to go to the WA Registration Renewal page to see how to keep your vehicle registration current. This page is dedicated registering a vehicle for the first time.

New to Washington?

New residents have 30 days to register and title their vehicle when they move to Washington. You can send in your paperwork by mail or visit your local licensing office in person to complete the forms to get your license plates.

Registering by Mail

You can mail your registration application to any licensing office. To register by mail, submit:

  • A completed, signed, and notarized Vehicle Certificate of Ownership (Title) Application (Form TD-420-001).
  • The out-of-state vehicle title.
    • If a lienholder has the title, get a copy of the front and back of it from the lienholder to use in your application.
    • If you do not have a title or a copy of it, contact your local licensing office for instructions.
  • An odometer disclosure statement for vehicles is model year 2011 or newer. You may obtain one by:
    • Visiting a licensing office.
    • Calling (360) 902-3770.
      • The odometer disclosure statement is printed on special paper, so it cannot be downloaded, faxed, or emailed to you.
  • A bill of sale or dealer purchase agreement, if you have owned the vehicle for less than 90 days.
  • Payment for all registration fees (see "Vehicle Registration Fees" below).

Send everything listed above to your local licensing office, or to:

Refunds and Title Services
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9043
Olympia, WA 98507

You should receive both your vehicle title and registration within 8 weeks. When registering a motor home, RV, or trailer, you may also be asked to show proof that you have paid your sales tax.

Contact your local licensing office for instructions on how to title and register your vehicle in Washington if any of the listed owners need to be removed from the title.

Registering in Person

You have two options for in-person registration:

  • You can visit a vehicle licensing office to apply, in which case your title will be mailed to you within 8 weeks. You will receive your registration immediately.
  • You can visit a Quick Title office to get your registration and title immediately, for which you will pay an additional $50 fee.

Go to your local licensing office and submit:

  • A signed Vehicle Certificate of Ownership (Title) Application (Form TD-420-001). All owners must sign in order for the signatures to be verified by a licensing agent.
  • Your out-of-state vehicle title.
    • If a lienholder currently has the title, have them send you a copy of the front and back of it.
    • If you do not have a title or a copy it, contact your local licensing office.
  • The odometer disclosure statement for vehicles up to 2011.
  • A bill of sale or dealer purchase agreement, if you have owned the vehicle for less than 90 days.
  • Payment for all registration fees (see Vehicle Registration Fees below).

WA Car Insurance

You are not required to show your insurance card when you register the vehicle, but auto insurance is mandatory in Washington. If you are pulled over by the police and do not have insurance, you will be fined.

Don't yet have an active car insurance policy?

Compare rates and buy your policy online: Visit the Insurance Center >>

How to Register a Car in Washington

Depending on whether you have bought your vehicle from a dealership or a private party determines what you have to do to register and title your vehicle. You must title and register your vehicle within 15 days of taking ownership.

If you do not title and register your vehicle within 15 days, you will be charged $50 on the 16th day and $2 every day after, with the maximum penalty totaling $125.

Buying a Vehicle from a Dealership

When you buy a vehicle from a dealership in Washington, the dealership will handle all the paperwork. You will receive all your documents and license plates in the mail.

Buying or Obtaining a Vehicle from a Private Party

If you've purchased or have been gifted a vehicle by a private individual, you may title and register it in person or by mail. Make sure the previous owner removes the license plates and either transfers or surrenders them.

NOTE: If the vehicle has been gifted to you, you may be eligible for an exemption from the state's use tax. Please see Washington "Vehicle Registration Fees" below for details.

In Person

Go to your local licensing office or Quick Title office and submit:

  • A Vehicle Certificate of Ownership (Title) Application (Form TD-420-001).
  • The vehicle title signed by both the seller and buyer(s).
    • If the seller does not have the title, they must fill out an Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest (Form TD-420-040). All parties must sign it in front of a notary, county auditor, or licensing agent.
  • A Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (Form TD-420-065) filled out by both the seller and buyer.
  • An odometer disclosure statement for vehicles up to 2011. You can obtain one by:
    • Visiting a licensing office.
    • Calling (360) 902-3770.
  • Payment for all fees (please see Washington Vehicle Registration Fees below).

If you visited a licensing office, you'll get your registration and new plates before leaving, and you can expect your title to be mailed to you within 8 weeks. If you visited a Quick Title office, you can receive both your registration and title immediately for a $50 fee.

By Mail

If you are applying by mail, all signatures on the documents above must be notarized. You can send all the documents listed above to:

Refunds and Title Services
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9043
Olympia, WA 98507

Your title and vehicle registration will be mailed to you within 8 weeks. Your new plates may take up to 3 weeks to be mailed to you.

You can get an odometer disclosure statement:

  • At a licensing office.
  • By calling (360) 902-3770.

The odometer disclosure statement is printed on special paper, so it cannot be downloaded, faxed, or e-mailed to you.

Military Members & Vehicle Registration

Members of the Armed Services in Washington have slightly different rules depending on whether you are a resident stationed in-state, a resident stationed in another state, or a non-resident stationed in Washington.

You may also be exempt from paying taxes on your vehicles when registering. Please see the "Vehicle Registration Fees" section below for details.

WA Military Residents

If you are a military resident of Washington stationed in state, you will register your vehicle in the same way as any other resident.

If you are stationed out of state, both you and your spouse can register your vehicle(s) in Washington by mail. To do so:

  • Complete a signed and notarized Vehicle Certificate of Ownership (Title) Application (Form TD-420-001).
    • Vehicle weight must be included. Trucks must have the gross weight listed.
  • Enclose proof of ownership:
    • Vehicle title for used vehicles.
    • Manufacturer's Statement of Origin for new vehicles.
      • If you have a loan on the vehicle, submit a copy of the front and back of the title.
  • Submit an odometer disclosure statement if your vehicle is 2011 or newer.
  • Provide a copy of your military orders showing your station assignment outside of Washington.
  • Enclose a copy of your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) that proves you are a Washington resident.
  • Submit all applicable fees (see "Vehicle Registration Fees" below). You may be exempt from paying use tax.

You can send all documents and fees to:

Refunds and Title Services
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9043
Olympia, WA 98507

Out-of-State Military Returning to Washington

If you've registered your vehicle in the state that you were stationed, you can continue to use your license plates upon your return to Washington until they expire; then you must register in Washington again.

Non-Residents Stationed in Washington

If you are a resident of another state stationed in Washington, you do not need to register your vehicle in the state. You can continue to use your license plates from your home state as long as you keep the registration current and maintain valid insurance.

You may choose to register your vehicle in Washington if you wish. Simply follow the process in the "New to Washington?" section of this page.

If you have license plates from a foreign country, they will be allowed only until the registration on the plates expires. At that point, you must register and plate your vehicle in Washington or in your home state.

You have 30 days after leaving the military to register your vehicle in Washington if you decide to stay in the state. Follow the "New to Washington?" section above.

Vehicle Registration Fees

Registration fees in Washington are calculated based on vehicle weight, vehicle type, license plates, and home address. Additionally, you will be responsible for paying a use tax when sales tax has not been paid.

Registration and Title Fees

The Department of Licensing allows you to estimate the title and registration fees for your vehicle by using their fee calculator and the Regional Authority Excise Tax calculator. If you would like to know the exact fees, as well as be able to perform other transactions with the DOL online, you can sign up for a License eXpress account.

Trucks and commercial vehicles are also based on declared gross weight. Please reference the appropriate chart below:

Other Vehicle Registration Fees

  • Service fee for title: $15
  • Service fee for registration: $8.
  • Local transportation benefit district fees: varies by county (if required).
  • Regional transit authority excise tax, if applicable.
  • King County congestion reduction charge: $20.
  • License plate fee: $20.
  • Inspection fees:
    • WA State Patrol inspection for salvaged, rebuilt, or homemade vehicles: Inspection is $65. Inspection with VIN assignment may include additional fees.

Use Tax

If you have not paid sales tax on your vehicle, you will be required to pay a use tax upon its registration. This is required by law when you purchase or transfer a vehicle from a private party. You must also pay use tax if you're bringing a vehicle into the state from an area that does not charge sales or use tax.

The use tax will be charged at the same rate as sales tax for your area, plus an additional 0.3% motor vehicle sales/use tax.

To calculate sales/use tax for your vehicle, use the tax rate lookup tool on the Washington Department of Revenue website.

You do NOT have to pay the use tax if:

  • The vehicle was gifted to you and:
    • You can prove that the previous owner paid sales tax on the vehicle.
      OR
    • The previous owner had the vehicle for at least 7 years, and is from a state that charges sales tax.
  • You buy a vehicle while on military active duty (see below).

Military Tax Exemptions

There are a few scenarios in which military members do not have to pay use tax when registering a vehicle in Washington:

  • You are a non-resident stationed in Washington.
  • You're a WA military resident stationed out of state on active duty.
  • You will be in Washington for less than 90 days.
  • You are a military spouse who is co-owner of the vehicle in question, and your spouse meets one of the criteria above.

Non-Residents Stationed in Washington

In order to be exempt from use tax when registering your vehicle, you must provide (in addition to all registration documents listed above):

  • Proof that your residence is in another state or country.
  • Proof of ownership of the vehicle (title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin).
  • A Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) showing your home residence.
  • A notarized Non-Resident Military Affidavit for Exemption of Excise Tax (Form 420-044).

WA Military Residents Stationed Out of State

Washington residents serving in the military, as a U.S. Public Health Officer, or with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency may not have to pay taxes when they register a vehicle purchased out of state. To qualify, you must:

  • Have been on active duty for over 6 months.
  • Owned the vehicle for more than 90 days before being discharged.
  • Have obtained the vehicle outside of Washington.

Upon registration, bring a copy of your orders proving that you have been out of state for over 6 months, along with the vehicle's proof of ownership showing that it was purchased and obtained out of state.

Replacing a Lost Vehicle Registration

If your registration has been lost or stolen, consider reporting it to the police to safeguard yourself against identity theft. You can apply for a duplicate WA registration in person or by mail.

In Person

Go to your local driver licensing office and submit a signed and notarized Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest (Form TD-420-040) with the "Affidavit of Loss" portion completed. You will also need to pay a duplicate registration fee which you can calculate using the fee calculator .

By Mail

To apply for a duplicate registration by mail:

Washington License Plates

If a car dealership submits your registration and titling paperwork, or you mail in your registration application, your license plates will be sent to you in the mail.

When you apply for registration and titling at the licensing office, you will receive the license plates at the office when you have completed the application process.

More information, including details on specialty plates and fees, can be found on our WA license plates page.

Forms

TD-420-040
Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest
Notify the WA Department of Licensing that title, registration, tabs, decals, OR license plates have been lost, stolen, OR destroyed. Releases you from that vehicle's interest.
420-044
Non-Resident Military Affidavit for Exemption of Excise Tax
Apply for tax exemption when registering your vehicle with the DOL if you're temporarily in Washington for military purposes.
TD-420-001
Vehicle Certificate of Ownership Title Application
Application for a Washington vehicle title. Must be notarized if you don't sign the application in front of a DOL agent.
TD-420-065
Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale
Bill of Sale form to complete when you buy or sell a vehicle OR vessel in Washington. The buyer will need to submit the completed Bill of Sale to the DOL when transferring the vehicle/vessel title into their name.
DMV.ORG BBB Business Review