WashingtonWashington law sets fee rules for replacing defective license plates
Starting January 1, 2027, Washington owners may get defective plates replaced without charge within two years, while later requests depend on department rules.
What it does
Owners can get a replacement set free within 24 months of the defective plate’s issue date. The listed plate, filing, service, and special or personalized plate fees do not apply.
After month 24 and through month 60, owners may get a replacement set free if the plate meets department rules. The department may charge some or all listed fees.
Argument forOwners could avoid replacement fees when a plate stops working, including after two years if it meets the department’s rules.
Argument againstAfter two years, owners may have to pay some or all listed fees, and certain damage or registration problems can rule out reduced charges.
More detail
The law provides free replacement plates when an owner requests them within 24 months of the defective plate’s issue date. A plate is defective when it no longer works, such as when its numbers are illegible, its paint peels or bubbles, or its material has degraded. One defective plate can qualify for a replacement set, unless the vehicle legally needs only one plate. The listed plate, filing, service, and special or personalized plate fees do not apply. The department may require the defective plate to be turned in. Reduced charges are not required for a plate tampered with by hand or damaged in a collision; for a stolen vehicle when the requester is not its owner or registered person; if the requester received a replacement in the preceding five years; if the plate is being transferred to another vehicle; or if it is not tied to a valid registration for that vehicle. The law takes effect January 1, 2027. The 24-month period includes the last day of month 24 after the plate was issued.
The law allows reduced charges for replacement plates requested after month 24 and through month 60, if the plate meets department rules. A plate is defective when it no longer works, such as when its numbers are illegible, its paint peels or bubbles, or its material has degraded. One defective plate can qualify for a replacement set, unless the vehicle legally needs only one plate. The department sets qualifying criteria by rule and may charge any of the listed fees based on those criteria and the circumstances. The department may require the defective plate to be turned in. Reduced charges are not required for a plate tampered with by hand or damaged in a collision; for a stolen vehicle when the requester is not its owner or registered person; if the requester received a replacement in the preceding five years; if the plate is being transferred to another vehicle; or if it is not tied to a valid registration for that vehicle. The law takes effect January 1, 2027. This request period begins after the last day of month 24 and includes the last day of month 60 after the plate was issued.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Effective date 1/1/2027.Latest
- Mar 24Chapter 172, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 24Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#11). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 12President signed.Major
- Mar 12Speaker signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 12Passed final passage; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.Passed House
- Mar 12House concurred in Senate amendments.
- Mar 4Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#19). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 4Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Mar 3Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Mar 2Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Mar 2TRAN - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Mar 2Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 23Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
- Feb 17First reading, referred to Transportation.Minor
- Feb 13Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#12). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 13Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 131st substitute bill substituted (TR 26).Major
- Feb 12Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 9Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 9TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 9Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 15Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 12First reading, referred to Transportation.Minor
- 2025
- Dec 8Prefiled for introduction.Introduced
TransportationConsumer Protection