How Long Do You Have To Register A Car In Washington State

Washington Vehicle Registration Renewal Guide

Washington Vehicle Registration Renewal

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Updated on July 20, 2021
Registering your car in Washington state for the first fourth dimension? If yous've but moved to the state, you'll take 30 days to register your vehicle with the DMV. You lot need the vehicle title, neb of sale, an odometer reading, and payment of registration fees. Once all are received, you can join the other 2.9 meg registered vehicles in Washington!

If yous don't register on time, yous can run into late fees or get a ticket for driving with unregistered plates. It tin even increase your car insurance charge per unit, with the average policy in Washington already at nearly $i,160 per year. Avert the extra fees and register your car before the 30-day marker.

If you already have your Washington tags and looking to renew your registration, go on reading to learn how.

How to Renew Your Car Registration in Washington

The Department of Licensing (DOL) of Washington volition send out a renewal notice several weeks before your registration is set up to expire. This volition either be sent by email (if requested) or through the mail. The renewal notice volition contain your registration deadline, an emissions exam observe if it is required, and your renewal fee amount(s).

Emissions Testing and Washington Registration Renewal

On your notice yous will see a department that will tell you whether or not yous will need an emissions test before your can renew your registration. People who live in these counties will need to accept their vehicles tested every two years:

Spokane
Snohomish
Pierce
King
Clark

The results of the emissions test will be sent direct to the DOL of Washington, typically inside hours of the test having been completed.

Yous can renew your registration up to vi months earlier its expiration date. Y'all may renew either online, by mail, or in person.

Renewing Your Registration In Person In Washington

To renew in person you lot will need to visit your local DOL office and provide:

Emissions exam completion.
Renewal notice or your current registration.
Photograph ID.
Proof of residence.
Payment for Washington registration renewal fees.

Washington Online Registration Renewal and Renewing By Mail

To renew your registration online or through the mail y'all volition need to follow the instructions that have been provided on your renewal form.

How to Replace A Vehicle Registration in Washington

Valid vehicle registration is a requirement for drivers, but it'southward likewise something that many drivers misplace or lose. If your automobile registration paper is lost or has been stolen, the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) has process in place to help you go it dorsum.

You volition have to fill out an affadavit with the Washington DOL, provide information about your vehicle, have your signature notarized, and pay a small fee to get a replacement registration.

Replacement Registration vs. Vehicle Registration Renewal

Replacing and renewing your vehicle registration are two different things. If your registration is nearing its expiration date, y'all'll need to renew it. As long as you renew your registration on time, the procedure will be simple.

Notwithstanding, if your Washington vehicle registration has already expired, or is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to get a replacement vehicle registration from the Washington DOL. When replacing your registration, yous will pay an boosted fee.

How to Replace Stolen License Plates In Washington

License plates are sometimes damaged on the road, stolen, or vandalized. If i of these things has happened to y'all, yous can go new license plates by taking an affidavit of loss to the Washington DOL and paying a small fee. For regular vehicles, the fee is $32.75. However, you will need to verify your address with the DOL earlier doing this.

When you get your new plates, your old plates will exist cancelled and you tin can dispose of them.

How to Replace a Lost License Plate Sticker In Washington

In the state of Washington, yous are issued license plate tabs instead of a license plate sticker. If you need a replacement car tag, you can become information technology by heading downwardly to your local DOL vehicle licensing office or by mail service.

You will demand to provide your registration number, the yr, make and model of your car, your VIN, and your title number.

Yous'll also need notarized signatures from all of the owners. At the cease of this procedure, you will have to pay a fee.

When Will I Become My Replacement Car Tag In The Mail?

You should get your replacement auto tag in the mail within 10 weeks.

Washington DMV Locations Nigh Me

Where can I get to supervene upon my vehicle registration in person?

In the state of Washington, y'all can become a replacement vehicle registration or license plate sticker by postal service or by visiting your local DOL office. Keep in mind that it will be slightly easier to become a new car registration in person considering the Washington DOL requires that all signatures are notarized.

What to Do With One-time Washington License Plates

Where can I discard my one-time or damaged license plates in Washington?

If you take old or damaged license plates, you can replace them with the Washington DOL.

In one case y'all've replaced your license plates, you will need to properly dispose of your old plates. You tin can exercise this by taking them to your local DOL function, mailing them to the Department of Licensing headquarters, or removing the month and year tabs and bending the plate and then information technology tin't be used again.

If yous want to recycle them, take them to an aluminum recycling center or ask your curbside recycling service if they accept Washington license plates.

Replacing Your Plates with Specialty Plates

When replacing your plates, you have the pick of the standard Washington license plate or one of the specialty plates. Getting specialty plates is similar to the procedure for how to supersede your vehicle registration.

To replace your current license plates with Washington specialty plates, yous'll need to visit a DOL vehicle licensing office and bring a notarized affadavit of loss and a license plate replacement awarding. You will also need photo identification and cash or a check to pay the required fee.