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In the state of Washington, all drivers must register their vehicles within 15 days of purchasing one or establishing residency in the state. Failure to do so will entail additional fees and charges.
You can register your vehicle at any of the local offices, either in person or by mail.
Sample Washington License Plate
Applying for License Plates in Washington
You must apply for a license plate if:
You have purchased a new vehicle
You are a new resident in Washington
You must register your vehicle with the Washington Department of Licensing, either in person or by mail. To apply, please bring the following:
Bill of sale
Vehicle title
Emissions certification
Odometer statement
Payment for registration fees
After you have successfully completed your registration, you may apply immediately to receive new license plates in Washington. If you require personalized, specialized, or disability license plates, you may have to wait.
Note: When you title your vehicle, you will be registering your vehicle at the same time.
Registration for License Plates in Washington
If you purchased your vehicle from a dealership in Washington, they are likely to handle its registration. If so, you can drive off the lot using temporary plates or tags and wait about a week for your license plates to arrive in the mail.
If you purchased your vehicle at a private sale, you have 15 days to title and register it. Owners of the previous car must remove or surrender their license plates. Also, you can check the history and ownership of that vehicle online, using the previous license plate number.
There are late fees and penalties if you do not register your vehicle within 15 days:
$50 fee on the 16th day
$2 every day thereafter up to $125 maximum
To avoid these late fees, simply go to the nearest licensing center to register your vehicle.
Renewing Washington License Plates
You must renew your vehicle’s registration before the expiration on the tags. It is best to renew your license plates before the expiration date to avoid additional fees.
Lost or Stolen Plates in Washington
If your plates go missing, you are not required by law to report your missing plates to the police, but doing so can protect you if someone misuses them.
When you’re ready to apply for new plates, you’ll need:
Valid ID
Completed Form TD-420-040: Affidavit of Loss
Payment for fees:
$5 Service Fee
$20 to Keep Current Plate Number
Unfortunately, you will not be able to get the same number if your plates were stolen.
Transfer or Surrender of Washington License Plates
You are permitted to transfer your license plate to another vehicle that is titled and registered in your name. You can do this either in person, online, or by mail, and you must confirm that your address is correct.
Transferring your plates requires:
Proof of registration for the vehicle receiving the plates
Payment for transfer fee: $10
Letter of intention for license plate transfer, including:
Updated mailing and residence address
License plate number
If you have no intention of purchasing a new vehicle and transferring your plates, you should surrender your plates.
Personalized License Plates in Washington
If you want to personalize your Washington license plates, you can choose your own plate number. Here are a few guidelines for personalization:
Plates must have up to 7 characters
Characters can include letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens
You cannot use indecent language or profanity
License plate numbers already issued cannot be requested
You can use the license plate search bar above to see which WA plates are available to you.
Customized License Plates in Washington
There are many license plates with unique designs for organizations, charities, universities, community groups, parks, and more. The following is a list of some of the most popular customized plates available in Washington:
Music Matters License Plates
We Love Our Pets License Plates
Washington State University License Plates
Central Washington College License Plates
Gonzaga University License Plates
Seattle University License Plates
Animal Style License Plates
Orca
Elk
Deer
Bear
Eagle
National Park License Plates
Marine Corps License Plates
Military ID License Plates
Military Emblem License Plates
Classic Car License Plates
Each of these customized license plates requires registration, additional fees, and sometimes additional documentation to be eligible.
Summary of Fees for License Plates in Washington
Some of the fees associated with your vehicle’s registration will be influenced by the type of vehicle you purchase and by the type of plates you want. The following list outlines some of the fees you can expect to pay:
Titling Fee
Application for a Certificate of Title: $15
Replacement of Lost Title: $35.50
Registration Service Fee: $5
Plate Issue (original license plates):
$50 per plate
$20 for motorcycles
Replacement Plate Fee:
Passenger Vehicles: $30
Motorcycles: $27.75
Transfer Fee: $10
Fee to Keep the Same Plate Number: $20
Trip Permit: $25
Standard Personalized Plates:
Cars: $84.75
Trucks: $84.75
Motorcycles: $66.75
Trailers: $72.75
Special Designed Plates:
Cars: $124.75
Trucks: $124.75
Motorcycles: $106.75
Trailers: $112.75
Fees for some specialized plates:
Cars: $72.75
Trucks: $72.75
Motorcycles: $54.75
Trailers: $60.75
Please check with your local DOL office for the exact fees for your vehicle. Fees often vary due to:
Vehicle weight
Type of vehicle
Area of residency
Number of plates required
You’ll also have to pay taxes and some other additional fees to register your vehicle in Washington.
Looking up License Plates in Washington
If you want to know a vehicle's history, you can do an online search of a license plate. You can obtain critical information about the vehicle and its previous drivers.
You can also use this free online license plate search above to check for available numbers if you are keen on getting a personalized plate.
Car Ownership in Washington
Washington ranks 32nd on the list of states with the highest car ownership rates. Idaho and Wyoming are at the top of the table. The District of Columbia and New York round off the bottom with the lowest car ownership rates in the US.
93.20% of households in Washington have at least one vehicle. This is compared to 96.20% in Idaho and Wyoming (the two states with the highest car ownership rates) and 64.30% in the District of Columbia where the vehicle ownership rate is the lowest in the US.
Washington ranks 4th in the US for electric vehicle ownership. Approximately 0.98% of all registered vehicles in Washington are electric vehicles. California (1.61%) and Hawaii (1.32%) have the maximum percentage of electric vehicles. Mississippi and North Dakota (both 0.05%) have the fewest number of electric vehicles.
The Yakima metropolitan area in Washington is among the top 5 metro areas in the US for the most vehicles per household. Approximately 35% of households in this metro area have three or more vehicles.
Washington is ranked 10th (tied with Wyoming) on the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US. California and Nevada are at the top of the list (most expensive) and Ohio is at the bottom (least expensive) for car ownership costs including the price of gas, auto loan payments, car insurance, and repairs.
The average cost of annual full coverage car insurance in Washington is $1,341. This is a fraction of the cost in New York where annual full coverage car insurance costs $4,769 on average. Some of the states where full coverage car insurance is inexpensive include Vermont ($1,037) and Ohio ($1,112) annually.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Washington is $392. Car repairs are the most expensive in Connecticut, where the average cost of a check engine light-related repair is $418.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Washington have 2 license plates?
Yes, Washington has 2 license plates for passenger cars, vans, and trucks, one on the front and one on the rear of the vehicle.
What is the format for license plates in Washington state?
Standard license plates in Washington have 7 characters (3 letters followed by 4 numbers). If you want to choose your own characters, you can apply for personalized (vanity) plates.
Can I drive in Washington with California plates?
If you have moved from California to Washington, you will need to register your vehicle in Washington. You have 30 days after moving to Washington to register your vehicle in the state. Before registering your vehicle, you’ll first need to get your Washington driver’s license.
Does Washington State require vehicle inspections?
The vehicle inspection program in Washington State ended in 2020. However, certain vehicles, including homemade vehicles, destroyed vehicles that have been rebuilt, vehicles that don’t have a proper VIN, and vehicles that were reported stolen need a VIN inspection by the State Patrol. A licensing agent who offers vehicle titling and other services can confirm if your vehicle requires an inspection. If so, you can make an appointment with the State Patrol and take the required documents to the appointment (WSP inspection request form and State Patrol form). After the assessment, the State Patrol officer will tell you if your vehicle has passed, and if not, what steps you must take next. The cost of the WA State Patrol VIN inspection is $65.