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Who may renew my vehicle registration?
Vehicle owners need to renew the registrations for their own vehicles. In order to protect the owner of record, the license agent needs to verify the identity of the renewal customer before processing the applications.
Renewal by non-owner must provide proof of relationship in the form of:
- Same last name and/or address;
- Applicants and owners names both on check;
- Marriage or birth certificate; or
- Notarized/certified statement of fact by the applicant.
Anyone other than a family member must provide written authorization from the owner. Possession of a renewal notice and a check from the registered owner will require no further written authorization to renew the registration.
If the vehicle has been expired for a full year OR ownership changes with expired tabs, the new registration will end exactly one year to the date of renewal.
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What is the Regional Transit Authority (RTA)?
In November 1996, voters approved Proposition No. 1 to create the RTA; a regional express system of buses, commuter rail, and light rail. To fund the plan for the regional transit system, a sales tax increase of four-tenths of one percent (.004) and a motor vehicle excise tax increase of three-tenths of one percent was approved by voters. I-695 later repealed the motor vehicle excise tax, so the three-tenths of one percent excise tax is no longer collected. The RTA covers most but not all of Pierce County and only those residents living within the RTA are assessed the .004 fee when renewing their license tabs. The Department of Licensing web site has a tax calculator that will calculate the RTA tax you will pay on your vehicle.
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How do I determine if I am in the Regional Transit Authority (RTA)?
Click on the Globe icon to the right of this page or here to open Info by Address. Type in your address and then click on 'Find Address'. Locate your correct address range and click on the Map Link. Information pertinent to your residence location will be displayed, and under the Special Topics section will be listed whether or not you are in the RTA.
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Can I download the vehicle registration forms from this website?
The forms you will need are available at any of the registration facilities. Most forms are also available on the Washington State Department of Licensing website. When at the State DOL website, click on the button called 'Forms' on the upper right side of the page, in the banner header.
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I-695 was the '$30 Car Tab' initiative. Why did I pay more than $30 to register my vehicle?
There are a few reasons why this may be. First, I-695 repealed the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. This is the annual tax that is calculated as 2.2% of the value of the vehicle. The initiative did not, however, repeal the sales tax you must pay when you first purchase and register your vehicle. This is a one-time tax paid the first time you register your vehicle in the State of Washington.
Second, I-695 set the new and renewal car registration fee at $30 and repealed many surcharges, but the initiative did not repeal all of the state surcharges imposed on auto licensing. Most notably, the initiative did not repeal the Regional Transit tax (Sound Transit) of .003% of the market value. Another reason you may have paid more than $30 to register your car is that the surcharge imposed by licensing sub-agencies was not affected by I-695. These fees vary by type of transaction and are between $4.00 and $10.00 per transaction.
A fourth reason you may have paid more than $30 is that you are registering a truck with gross weight over 8000 pounds. Trucks do not pay a 'licensing fee.' Instead, they pay a 'Gross Weight Fee' based on a schedule set by state law. I-695 did not alter this schedule.
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If I buy a vehicle from out-of-state or move to Washington, do I still need to obtain an inspection of my car by the Washington State Patrol?
In nearly all cases, no. Under a new law, the physical inspections of out-of-state vehicles by the Washington State Patrol is eliminated. Instead, the Department of Licensing will perform a NCIC (database search on your vehicle) and notify you if an inspection is required before they issue a title. There is a $15 fee for the computer search, collected at the time you register your vehicle.
You will need to take your vehicle to the Washington State Patrol to obtain a physical inspection if you purchase a vehicle that has been rebuilt after being destroyed or declared a total loss by an insurance company. They will also perform inspections as required on vehicles reported stolen, homemade vehicles, or other vehicles without a proper VIN, when there is a VIN discrepancy, when there is a record dispute, when ownership is in doubt, or other special cases. For more information, go to the Washington State Patrol Vehicle Inspection page.
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Where are the locations of the Auto Licensing Agents, State Patrol Inspection Facilities, and Emission Testing Facilities?
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Where do I go to renew or get a new drivers license?
The Auditors Office does not issue Drivers Licenses. Drivers licenses are issued directly by the State of Washington. You can get a new license or renew your license at any of the Drivers Licensing Services Offices. They are located at:
733 River Rd, Puyallup -- (253) 840-4591
2502 112th Street East, Tacoma -- (253) 536-6221
6402 South Yakima, Tacoma -- (253) 593-2991
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Where do I go, or whom do I call, to report a traffic accident?
All traffic accidents must be reported to the local law enforcement agency. Forms for reporting traffic accidents area available from local Drivers Licensing Services Offices listed above.
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How can someone obtain a disabled parking permit?
Permanent and temporary disabled parking permits may be obtained from any of the Vehicle License offices in the county or State of Washington. You may also download an application from the Department of Licensing's website and apply through the mail.
For additional information, you can contact the County Vehicle Licensing Department at (253) 798-7547 or the State Department of Licensing Customer Service (in Olympia, WA) at (360) 902-3770, Ext. 7.
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What do I do when I have paid off the loan on my car?
Once you have paid off the loan on your car, your financial institution will do one of two things. They will either release (sign off on) the title and send the title to the Department of Licensing in Olympia, or they will send the released title directly to you.
If the financial institution sends you the released title, then you must bring in or mail in the title to the vehicle licensing office to have the new title processed. The fee to release the legal owners information is $9.00 on passenger cars, trucks, trailers, and motorcycles. Vessels are $5.00.
If you do not hear anything from the Vehicle Licensing office or from your financial institution in a reasonable time after paying off the loan, call your financial institution to ensure that they are taking steps to release the title to you.
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