A registered owner may apply for a collector vehicle plate for a motor vehicle at least 30 years old. The owner may receive a collector plate assigned by the Department of Licensing (DOL), or the owner can provide an actual Washington state-issued license plate designated for general use in the year the vehicle was manufactured. In addition to any other fees or taxes associated with transaction, the original collector vehicle registration is $35, and the plates:
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These vehicles may only be used for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and occasional driving.
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A registered owner may apply for a horseless carriage license plate if the vehicle is more than 40 years old, is capable of operating on the highway, and is owned and operated as a collector vehicle. In addition to any other fees or taxes associated with transaction, the original horseless carriage registration is $35, and the plates:
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The mandatory insurance law requires most drivers to have motor vehicle liability insurance or another way to assume financial responsibility for damages.? The insurance policy must have minimum dollar coverage per accident of:
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Collector vehicles and horseless carriages are exempt from the mandatory insurance law financial responsibility requirements.
The exemption of collector vehicles and horseless carriages from the mandatory insurance law financial responsibility requirements is repealed.? After January 15, 2026, applicants for a collector vehicle plate must provide proof of having a collector vehicle insurance policy with the minimum liability coverage limits specified in law.? A person driving a collector vehicle must maintain collector vehicle insurance meeting the requirements of the mandatory insurance law. ?The requirements dealing with collector vehicle insurance and minimum liability coverage apply only when the collector vehicle is operated on a public highway.? DOL must adopt rules defining collector vehicle insurance meeting these requirements.
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After January 15, 2026, applicants for a collector vehicle plate must provide proof of ownership and current registration of a second vehicle to be used for daily driving, commuting, or work purposes.? DOL is authorized to make exceptions to this requirement, if the owner can demonstrate they have an alternative way of addressing regular transportation needs.
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A person who does not meet the collector vehicle requirements must surrender their plate.? A person whose collector vehicle registration has been canceled may operate the vehicle once they have paid the applicable fees and met other vehicle registration requirements.
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The age requirements to qualify for horseless carriage license plates is changed from motor vehicles at least 40 years old to motor vehicles manufactured or built before January 1, 1916.
The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard.?PRO:? There is evidence that the collector vehicle plate system has become subject to abuse with the owners of the vehicles inappropriately using them for daily use.? The legislation requiring owners to have a second vehicle registration, with certain allowed exceptions, will put the brakes on this corruption and misuse.? This bill also addresses the fact that many owners of collector vehicle are uninsured at higher rates and also involved accidents.? This is a modest approach to a problem that has existed for some time and improves the integrity of the collector vehicle program.? This legislation allows reasonable exceptions to these new requirements.?
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CON:? The legislation is unfair because proof of ownership of a second vehicle and proof of insurance is not required to register any other types of vehicle.? This treats collector vehicle owners unfairly.? There will be logistical issues in the department attempting to enforce these new requirements.? While there is misuse, you can't legislate compliance.