WA DMV Vehicle Registration 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which agency handles vehicle registration in Washington State?
- The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- The Secretary of State
- The Department of Licensing (DOL) (Correct answer)
- The Washington State Patrol
Correct answer: The Department of Licensing (DOL)
Washington uses the Department of Licensing, not a DMV, to handle vehicle titles and registration.
Question 2: Where do the small colored tabs (stickers) you receive at renewal belong?
- On the rear license plate (Correct answer)
- Inside the glove box with the registration
- On the windshield's lower corner
- On the front bumper
Correct answer: On the rear license plate
Washington renewal tabs are placed on the rear license plate to show the registration's expiration month and year.
Question 3: In certain Washington counties within the Sound Transit district, what additional fee may be included in your car tab renewal?
- A ferry maintenance fee
- A mandatory parking permit fee
- A Regional Transit Authority (RTA) tax (Correct answer)
- A federal highway surcharge
Correct answer: A Regional Transit Authority (RTA) tax
Vehicles registered within the Sound Transit district pay an RTA tax as part of their annual renewal fees.
Question 4: You buy a brand-new car from a licensed Washington dealer. Who typically submits the title and registration paperwork?
- The manufacturer
- The buyer, at a county auditor's office
- The buyer's insurance company
- The dealer, on the buyer's behalf (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The dealer, on the buyer's behalf
Licensed Washington dealers are required to process title and registration paperwork for vehicles they sell.
Question 5: What is required before you can title and register a vehicle brought into Washington from another state?
- A smog test at a state facility
- A notarized letter from the previous state
- A new engine certification
- A vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection
Out-of-state vehicles generally need a VIN inspection, such as by the Washington State Patrol or an authorized inspector, before titling.
Question 6: Which of the following vehicles must be registered to be driven legally on Washington public roads?
- A farm tractor never leaving the farm
- A riding lawn mower used only on private property
- A street-legal motorcycle (Correct answer)
- A go-kart used on a private track
Correct answer: A street-legal motorcycle
Any vehicle operated on public roads, including motorcycles, must be registered, while off-road private-use equipment is exempt.
Question 7: If your registration tabs are stolen off your plate, what should you do?
- Photocopy your registration and tape it to the plate
- Buy tabs from another vehicle owner
- Drive without tabs until the next renewal
- Request replacement tabs from the Department of Licensing (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Request replacement tabs from the Department of Licensing
Stolen or lost tabs must be replaced through the Department of Licensing, which issues new tabs for a small fee.
WA DMV Vehicle Registration 3
Which agency handles vehicle registration in Washington State?