Revised Code of Washington - RCW Title 46 Motor Vehicles - Section 46.12.030 Certificate of ownership -- Application -- Contents -- Examination of vehicle

§ 46.12.030. Certificate of ownership -- Application -- Contents -- Examination of vehicle

(1) The application for a certificate of ownership shall be upon a form furnished or approved by the department and shall contain:

(a) A full description of the vehicle, which shall contain the proper vehicle identification number, the number of miles indicated on the odometer at the time of delivery of the vehicle, and any distinguishing marks of identification;

(b) The name and address of the person who is to be the registered owner of the vehicle and, if the vehicle is subject to a security interest, the name and address of the secured party;

(c) Such other information as the department may require.

(2) The department may in any instance, in addition to the information required on the application, require additional information and a physical examination of the vehicle or of any class of vehicles, or either.

(3)(a) A physical examination of the vehicle is mandatory if (i) it has been rebuilt after surrender of the certificate of ownership to the department under RCW 46.12.070 due to the vehicle's destruction or declaration as a total loss and (ii) it is not retained by the registered owner at the time of the vehicle's destruction or declaration as a total loss. The inspection must verify that the vehicle identification number is genuine and agrees with the number shown on the title and registration certificate. The inspection must be made by a member of the Washington state patrol or other person authorized by the department to make such inspections.

(b)(i) A physical examination of the vehicle is mandatory if the vehicle was declared totaled or salvage under the laws of this state, or the vehicle is presented with documents from another state showing the vehicle was totaled or salvage and has not been reissued a valid registration from that state after the declaration of total loss or salvage.

(ii) The inspection must verify that the vehicle identification number is genuine and agrees with the number shown on the original documents supporting the vehicle purchase or ownership.

(iii) A Washington state patrol VIN specialist must ensure that all major component parts used for the reconstruction of a salvage or rebuildable vehicle were obtained legally. Original invoices for new and used parts must be from a vendor that is registered with the department of revenue for the collection of retail sales or use taxes or comparable agency in the jurisdiction where the major component parts were purchased. The invoices must include the name and address of the business, a description of the part or parts sold, the date of sale, and the amount of sale to include all taxes paid unless exempted by the department of revenue or comparable agency in the jurisdiction where the major component parts were purchased. Original invoices for used parts must be from a vehicle wrecker licensed under chapter 46.80 RCW or a comparable business in the jurisdiction outside Washington state where the major component part was purchased. If the parts or components were purchased from a private individual, the private individual must have title to the vehicle the parts were taken from, except as provided by RCW 46.04.3815, and the bill of sale for the parts must be notarized. The bills of sale must include the names and addresses of the sellers and purchasers, a description of the vehicle, the part or parts being sold, including the make, model, year, and identification or serial number, that date of sale, and the purchase price of the vehicle or part or parts. If the presenter is unable to provide an acceptable release of interest or proof of ownership for a vehicle or major component part as described above, an inspection must be completed for ownership-in-doubt purposes as prescribed by WAC 308-56A-210.

(iv) A vehicle presented for inspection must have all damaged major component parts replaced or repaired to meet RCW and WAC requirements before inspection of the salvage vehicle by the Washington state patrol.

(4) To the extent that the Washington state patrol has a backlog of vehicle inspections that it is to perform under this section, chapter 420, Laws of 2007 shall not be construed to reduce the vehicle inspection workload of the Washington state patrol.

(5) Rebuilt or salvage vehicles licensed in Washington must meet the requirements found under chapter 46.37 RCW to be driven upon public roadways.

(6) The application shall be subscribed by the person applying to be the registered owner and be sworn to by that applicant in the manner described by RCW 9A.72.085. The department shall retain the application in either the original, computer, or photostatic form.

[2007 c 420 § 1; 2005 c 173 § 1; 2004 c 188 § 1; 2001 c 125 § 1. Prior: 1995 c 274 § 1; 1995 c 256 § 23; 1990 c 238 § 1; 1975 c 25 § 8; 1974 ex.s. c 128 § 1; 1972 ex.s. c 99 § 2; 1967 c 32 § 8; 1961 c 12 § 46.12.030; prior: 1947 c 164 § 1, part; 1937 c 188 § 3, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 6312-2, part.]

Notes:
     Effective date -- 2001 c 125: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2001." [2001 c 125 § 5.]

     Effective date, implementation -- 1990 c 238: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect May 1, 1990. The director of licensing shall immediately take such steps as are necessary to ensure that this act is implemented on its effective date." [1990 c 238 § 9.]

     Effective date -- 1974 ex.s. c 128: "This 1974 amendatory act shall take effect July 1, 1974." [1974 ex.s. c 128 § 3.]

Notice of liability insurance requirement: RCW 46.16.212. Sections:  Previous  46.12.005  46.12.010  46.12.020  46.12.030  46.12.040  46.12.042  46.12.045  46.12.047  46.12.050  46.12.055  46.12.060  46.12.070  46.12.075  46.12.080  46.12.095  Next

Last modified: April 7, 2009