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How much does it cost to register my car or boat?
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Who may renew
my vehicle registration?
Vehicle owners need to renew the registrations for their own
vehicles. In order to protect the owner of record, the
license agent needs to verify the identity of the renewal
customer before processing the applications.
Renewal by non-owner must provide proof of relationship in
the form of:
- Same last name and/or address;
- Applicants and owners names both on check;
- Marriage or birth certificate; or
- Notarized/certified statement of fact by the
applicant.
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Anyone other than a family member must provide written
authorization from the owner. Possession of a renewal
notice and a check from the registered owner will require no
further written authorization to renew the registration.
If the vehicle has been expired for a full year OR
ownership changes with expired tabs, the new registration
will end exactly one year to the date of renewal.
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Can I
download the vehicle registration forms from this website?
The forms you will need are available at
any of the registration facilities. Most forms are also
available on the
Washington State Department
of Licensing website. When at the State DOL website,
click on the button called 'Forms' on the upper right side
of the page, in the banner header.
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I-695 was the '$30 Car Tab'
initiative. Why did I pay more than $30 to register my vehicle?
There are a few reasons why this may be. First, I-695 repealed the
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. This is the annual tax that is calculated
as 2.2% of the value of the vehicle. The initiative did not,
however, repeal the sales tax you must pay when you first purchase
and register your vehicle. This is a one-time tax paid the first
time you register your vehicle in the State of Washington.
Second, I-695 set the new and renewal car registration fee at $30
and repealed many surcharges, but the initiative did not repeal all
of the state surcharges imposed on auto licensing. Most notably, the
initiative did not repeal the Regional Transit tax (Sound Transit)
of .003% of the market value. Another reason you may have paid more
than $30 to register your car is that the surcharge imposed by
licensing sub-agencies was not affected by I-695. These fees vary by
type of transaction and are between $4.00 and $10.00 per
transaction.
A fourth reason you may have paid more than $30 is that you are
registering a truck with gross weight over 8000 pounds. Trucks do
not pay a 'licensing fee.' Instead, they pay a 'Gross Weight Fee'
based on a schedule set by state law. I-695 did not alter this
schedule.
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If I buy a vehicle from
out-of-state or move to Washington, do I still need to obtain an
inspection of my car by the Washington State Patrol?
In nearly all cases, no. Under a new law, the physical inspections
of out-of-state vehicles by the Washington State Patrol is
eliminated. Instead, the Department of Licensing will perform a NCIC
(database search on your vehicle) and notify you if an inspection is
required before they issue a title. There is a $15 fee for the
computer search, collected at the time you register your vehicle.
You will need to take your vehicle to the Washington State Patrol to
obtain a physical inspection if you purchase a vehicle that has been
rebuilt after being destroyed or declared a total loss by an
insurance company. They will also perform inspections as required on
vehicles reported stolen, homemade vehicles, or other vehicles
without a proper VIN, when there is a VIN discrepancy, when there is
a record dispute, when ownership is in doubt, or other special
cases. For more information, go to the
Washington
State Patrol Vehicle Inspection page.
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Where are the locations
of the Auto Licensing Agents,
and State Patrol Inspection Facilities?
Auto Licensing Agents - We have no Sub Agents. You get
your auto license at the County Auditor's Office.
State Patrol Inspection -
WSP
VIN Inspectors are in Stevenson the 1st Wednesday of
every month. An appointment is required and can be made by
calling (360) 260-6291.
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Where do I go to renew or get a new
drivers license?
The Auditors Office does not issue Driver's Licenses. Driver's
licenses are issued directly by the State of Washington. The nearest
Driver's Licensing Service Offices are at:
156 NE Church Ave., White Salmon -- (509) 493-1131
1301 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver -- (360) 260-6288
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Where do I go, or whom do I call, to
report a traffic accident?
All traffic accidents must be reported to the local law enforcement
agency. Forms for reporting traffic accidents area available from
local Drivers Licensing Services Offices listed above.
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How can someone obtain a
disabled parking permit?
Permanent and temporary disabled parking permits may be obtained
from any of the Vehicle License offices in the county or State of
Washington. You may also download an application from the Department
of Licensing's website and apply through the mail.
For additional information, you can contact the County Vehicle
Licensing Department at (509) 427-3732 or the State Department of
Licensing Customer Service (in Olympia, WA) at (360) 902-3770, Ext.
7.
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What do I do when I have
paid off the loan on my car?
Once you have paid off the loan on your car, your financial
institution will do one of two things. They will either
release (sign off on) the title and send the title to the
Department of Licensing in Olympia, or they will send the
released title directly to you.
If the financial institution sends you the released title,
then you must bring in or mail in the title to the vehicle
licensing office to have the new title processed. The fee to
release the legal owners information is $9.00 on passenger
cars, trucks, trailers, and motorcycles. Vessels are $5.00.
If you do not hear anything from the Vehicle Licensing
office or from your financial institution in a reasonable
time after paying off the loan, call your financial
institution to ensure that they are taking steps to release
the title to you.
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Still have questions?
E-mail
moser@co.skamania.wa.us your question, or call us
at (509) 427-3732.
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