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 Revised Code of Washington (RCW) (Last Updated: August 9, 2016)
 Title 46. MOTOR VEHICLES
 Chapter 46.18. Special license plates.

  Section 46.18.200. Department-approved plate types.  

Latest version.
  • (1) Special license plate series reviewed and approved by the department:
    (a) May be issued in lieu of standard issue or personalized license plates for vehicles required to display one and two license plates unless otherwise specified;
    (b) Must be issued under terms and conditions established by the department;
    (c) Must not be issued for vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW; and
    (d) Must display a symbol or artwork approved by the department.
    (2) The department approves and shall issue the following special license plates:
    (3) Applicants for initial and renewal professional firefighters and paramedics special license plates must show proof eligibility by providing a certificate of current membership from the Washington state council of firefighters.
    (4) Applicants for initial volunteer firefighters special license plates must (a) have been a volunteer firefighter for at least ten years or be a volunteer firefighter for one or more years and (b) have documentation of service from the district of the appropriate fire service. If the volunteer firefighter leaves firefighting service before ten years of service have been completed, the volunteer firefighter shall surrender the license plates to the department on the registration renewal date. If the volunteer firefighter stays in service for at least ten years and then leaves, the license plate may be retained by the former volunteer firefighter and as long as the license plate is retained for use the person will continue to pay the future registration renewals. A qualifying volunteer firefighter may have no more than one set of license plates per vehicle, and a maximum of two sets per applicant, for their personal vehicles. If the volunteer firefighter is convicted of a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or a felony, the license plates must be surrendered upon conviction.
    [ 2014 c 77 § 1; 2014 c 6 § 1; 2013 c 286 § 1; 2012 c 65 § 1. Prior: 2011 c 229 § 1; 2011 c 225 § 1; 2011 c 171 § 69; 2010 c 161 § 611.]
    NOTES:
    Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2014 c 6 § 1 and by 2014 c 77 § 1, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).
    Effective date—2014 c 77: "This act takes effect January 1, 2015." [ 2014 c 77 § 7.]
    Effective date—2014 c 6: "This act takes effect January 1, 2015." [ 2014 c 6 § 6.]
    Effective date—2013 c 286: "This act takes effect January 1, 2014." [ 2013 c 286 § 8.]
    Effective date—2012 c 65: "This act takes effect January 1, 2013." [ 2012 c 65 § 7.]
    Effective date—2011 c 229: "This act takes effect January 1, 2012." [ 2011 c 229 § 6.]
    Effective date—2011 c 225: "This act takes effect January 1, 2012." [ 2011 c 225 § 5.]
    Intent—Effective date—2011 c 171: See notes following RCW 4.24.210.
    Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.
    (1) Special license plate series reviewed and approved by the department:
    (a) May be issued in lieu of standard issue or personalized license plates for vehicles required to display one and two license plates unless otherwise specified;
    (b) Must be issued under terms and conditions established by the department;
    (c) Must not be issued for vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW; and
    (d) Must display a symbol or artwork approved by the department.
    (2) The department approves and shall issue the following special license plates:
    (3) Applicants for initial and renewal professional firefighters and paramedics special license plates must show proof of eligibility by providing a certificate of current membership from the Washington state council of firefighters.
    (4) Applicants for initial volunteer firefighters special license plates must (a) have been a volunteer firefighter for at least ten years or be a volunteer firefighter for one or more years and (b) have documentation of service from the district of the appropriate fire service. If the volunteer firefighter leaves firefighting service before ten years of service have been completed, the volunteer firefighter shall surrender the license plates to the department on the registration renewal date. If the volunteer firefighter stays in service for at least ten years and then leaves, the license plate may be retained by the former volunteer firefighter and as long as the license plate is retained for use the person will continue to pay the future registration renewals. A qualifying volunteer firefighter may have no more than one set of license plates per vehicle, and a maximum of two sets per applicant, for their personal vehicles. If the volunteer firefighter is convicted of a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or a felony, the license plates must be surrendered upon conviction.
    [ 2016 c 36 § 1; 2016 c 30 § 1; 2016 c 16 § 1; 2016 c 15 § 1. Prior: 2014 c 77 § 1; 2014 c 6 § 1; 2013 c 286 § 1; 2012 c 65 § 1; prior: 2011 c 229 § 1; 2011 c 225 § 1; 2011 c 171 § 69; 2010 c 161 § 611.]
    NOTES:
    Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2016 c 15 § 1, 2016 c 16 § 1, 2016 c 30 § 1, and by 2016 c 36 § 1, each without reference to the other. All amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).
    Effective date—2016 c 36: "This act takes effect January 1, 2017." [ 2016 c 36 § 6.]
    Effective date—2016 c 30: "This act takes effect January 1, 2017." [ 2016 c 30 § 6.]
    Effective date—2016 c 16: "This act takes effect January 1, 2017." [ 2016 c 16 § 6.]
    Effective date—2016 c 15: "This act takes effect January 1, 2017." [ 2016 c 15 § 6.]
    Effective date—2014 c 77: "This act takes effect January 1, 2015." [ 2014 c 77 § 7.]
    Effective date—2014 c 6: "This act takes effect January 1, 2015." [ 2014 c 6 § 6.]
    Effective date—2013 c 286: "This act takes effect January 1, 2014." [ 2013 c 286 § 8.]
    Effective date—2012 c 65: "This act takes effect January 1, 2013." [ 2012 c 65 § 7.]
    Effective date—2011 c 229: "This act takes effect January 1, 2012." [ 2011 c 229 § 6.]
    Effective date—2011 c 225: "This act takes effect January 1, 2012." [ 2011 c 225 § 5.]
    Intent—Effective date—2011 c 171: See notes following RCW 4.24.210.
    Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.