Skip to content
LicensePlates Washington

Washington License Plate

What is a Washington License Plate?

The Washington State Department of Licensing issues license plates and administers vehicle registration in accordance with RCW Title 46. Residents conduct transactions through county auditor offices, vehicle licensing subagent offices, or online at dol.wa.gov.

The standard Washington license plate features an image of Mount Rainier on a reflective background with the full state name. All plates must be processed with reflective materials in accordance with RCW 46.16A.200.

Types of License Plates in Washington

  • Standard plates are issued upon registration. Replacement plates cost $30 for vehicles and $27.25 for motorcycles.
  • More than 50 special design plates cover sports teams, causes, universities, and wildlife themes. Most have an initial fee of $40 and an annual renewal of $30 in accordance with RCW 46.17.220.
  • A personalized plate on the standard mountain background costs $174 for passenger vehicles, with an annual renewal of $52 in accordance with RCW 46.17.210.
  • Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Disabled Veteran, and Former Prisoner of War plates are issued without vehicle license fees, plate fees, and excise taxes for one vehicle per eligible recipient.
  • A collector vehicle costs $35 one-time and does not require annual renewal fees beyond basic registration.

The full catalog is available on the DOL special design plates page.

What Vehicles Require License Plates in Washington?

Every vehicle operated on a public road must have valid registration and license plates in accordance with RCW 46.16A.030. Registration is renewed annually. New residents have 30 days to register in accordance with RCW 46.16A.140.

  • Passenger vehicles receive two plates. The basic license fee is $30, plus a filing fee of $4.50, a service fee of $8, and a weight fee of $10. Local transportation district fees and RTA excise taxes vary by location.
  • Motorcycles have one rear plate with a plate fee of $30; mopeds also receive one plate for $30. Original motorcycle plates cost $20.
  • One rear plate covers trailers. Those weighing less than 2,000 pounds pay $15 annually; heavier trailers follow the weight schedule in accordance with RCW 46.17.355.
  • Electric vehicles must pay three separate annual fees: $100, $50, and $75 for transportation electrification, totaling $225 in electric vehicle-specific fees beyond basic registration in accordance with RCW 46.17.323 and RCW 46.17.324.

License Plate Rules in Washington

  • Most vehicles require two plates, one in front and one in back, in accordance with RCW 46.16A.200. Motorcycles, mopeds, trailers, semitrailers, campers, collector vehicles, and horseless carriages receive one rear plate.

  • Plates must remain clean, uncovered, and clearly legible at all times. Covers, tinted overlays, frames, or any materials that obscure, obstruct, or distort the plate are prohibited under the same statute. Frames are allowed only if they do not cover tabs, letters, or numbers.

    • One plate may be temporarily blocked by a towing device, wheelchair lift, bicycle rack, ski rack, or luggage rack, provided the plate remains legible from at least one angle when the vehicle is parked.

Is Driving Around with No License Plate in Washington Illegal?

Operating a vehicle without valid license plates is a traffic violation in accordance with RCW 46.16A.030. The same statute considers failure to complete initial registration and failure to renew as separate violations.

Displaying plates not issued for the vehicle, or plates that have been altered or damaged, is a separate violation in accordance with RCW 46.16A.200(7). Transferring plates between vehicles without applying through the DOL is a traffic violation with a separate penalty.

What is the Penalty for Driving Without a License Plate in Washington?

Registration fines in Washington under RCW 46.16A.030 start with a strict fixed penalty and can escalate to a gross misdemeanor for intentional evasion.

  • Failure to complete initial registration before driving on a public road incurs a mandatory $529 fine that cannot be suspended or reduced (RCW 46.16A.030(4)).
  • Expired registration is a separate traffic violation in accordance with RCW 46.16A.030(5). Vehicles with registration expired by more than 45 days may be impounded in accordance with RCW 46.55.113.
  • Unauthorized plate transfer between vehicles incurs a traffic violation fine up to $500 in accordance with RCW 46.16A.200(7)(e), and plates are confiscated.
  • A resident registering out of state to evade fees commits a gross misdemeanor: up to 364 days in jail, a $529 fine, plus an additional $1,000 for the first offense or $5,000 for the second, along with all back taxes (RCW 46.16A.030(6)).
  • Display violations under plate quantity and legibility rules incur standard traffic violation fines in accordance with RCW 46.16A.200(7).

Notice

By clicking "I Agree," you acknowledge and consent to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and you agree not to use information provided by Washington License Plates for any purpose governed by the FCRA, including evaluating an individual's eligibility for credit, insurance, employment, or tenant screening.

This website offers information sourced from both public and private records. Washington License Plates cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Please use the information obtained from Washington License Plates responsibly.

When you search for license plates on Washington License Plates, you understand that these searches must only be conducted for purposes authorized by the Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (DPPA). You may not search for license plates or use any information obtained from these searches for unlawful purposes.

By clicking "I Agree," you understand that Washington License Plates will conduct only an initial search based on the information you provide. A full record search will be conducted and available after account registration or report purchase.