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Washington Revised Code Title 46. Motor Vehicles § 46.16A.020. Registration year assigned--Registration month--Registration period--When registration does not expire

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) The department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director shall assign a new registration year to a vehicle if:

(a) The registered ownership of the vehicle is being transferred, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section. The renewed vehicle registration is valid for a full twelve-month period unless: (i) The vehicle changes ownership during the twelve-month period, in which case the registration expires; or (ii) a specific expiration date is required by law, rule, or program; or

(b) The Washington vehicle registration has expired and the registered owner:

(i) Is a member of the United States armed forces;

(ii) Was stationed outside of Washington under military orders during the prior vehicle registration year; and

(iii) Provides the department a copy of the military orders.

(2) Each registration year may be divided into twelve registration months. Each registration month begins at 12:01 a.m. on a day of the month assigned by the department and ends at 12:00 a.m. on the same day the following month.

(3) A registration period extends through the end of the next business day when the final day of a registration year or month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

(4) A vehicle registration does not expire when a change in vehicle ownership is the result of one or more of the following circumstances:

(a) When adding a lienholder to the certificate of title or removing a lienholder from the certificate of title;

(b) When a vehicle is transferred from one spouse or registered domestic partner to another;

(c) When removing a deceased spouse or registered domestic partner from the certificate of title;

(d) When a vehicle is transferred by gift or inheritance to one or more members of the registered owner's immediate family;

(e) When a vehicle is transferred into or out of a trust in which the registered owner or one or more immediate family members of the registered owner is the beneficiary;

(f) When a leaseholder buys out the leased vehicle; or

(g) When a person changes his or her name.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Washington Revised Code Title 46. Motor Vehicles § 46.16A.020. Registration year assigned--Registration month--Registration period--When registration does not expire - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/wa/title-46-motor-vehicles/wa-rev-code-46-16a-020/

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