New law raises plate fees, some less common fees starting July 1, 2022

Planning to buy a car or order a special design license plate? There are some new fee increases to be aware of.

The changes are directed by the Washington State Legislature to help fund Move Ahead Washington, the nearly $17 billion transportation package signed into law earlier this year.

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5974 raises fees as follows:

STARTING JULY 1, 2022

License plate fee

Original plates are those issued upon initial registration in Washington. Fees are per plate.

• Original plate: Increases from $10 to $50
• Replacement plate: Increases from $10 to $30
• Original motorcycle plate: Increases from $4 to $20
• Replacement motorcycle plate: Increases from $4 to $12

Important! Applications received on or after July 1 must reflect the increase, even if mailed payment is postmarked earlier. To ensure the amount you pay is correct, consider doing your transaction online at dol.wa.gov or visit a vehicle licensing office in person.

Dealer temporary permit

These are provided by auto dealers to buyers for use until permanent plates are received.

• Increases from $15 to $40

Dealer documentation fee

This is an optional, negotiable fee charged by dealers for administrative costs. The amount below is the highest allowed.

• Increases from $150 to $200

Stolen vehicle check

Affects vehicles previously registered in another state and registering for the first time in Washington. The vehicle is checked against national and state databases for any titling or other issues.

• Increases from $15 to $50 (then to $75 starting July 1, 2026)

Important! Title applications received on or after July 1 must reflect the increase, even if mailed payment is postmarked earlier. To ensure the amount you pay is correct, consider doing your transaction in person at a vehicle licensing office.

STARTING JAN. 1, 2023

License service and plate technology fees

• Light, medium, and heavy duty trucks subject to $0.50 license service fee and $0.25 plate technology fee (already assessed on most passenger vehicles)

La nueva ley aumenta las tarifas de las placas y algunas tarifas menos comunes a partir del 1 de julio del 2022

¿Planea comprar un automóvil o pedir una placa de diseño especial? Hay algunos nuevos aumentos de tarifas a tener en cuenta.

Los cambios fueron dados por la Legislatura del Estado de Washington para ayudar a financiar Move Ahead Washington, el paquete de transporte de casi $17 mil millones que se convirtió en ley a principios de este año.

El Proyecto de Ley Sustituto del Senado 5974 aumenta las tarifas de la siguiente manera:

A PARTIR DEL 1 DE JULIO DEL 2022

Tarifa de las placas de vehículos

Las placas originales son las emitidas en el momento del registro inicial en Washington. Las tarifas son por placa.

• Placa original: Aumenta de $10 a $50
• Placa de reemplazo: aumenta de $10 a $30
• Placa original de moto: Aumenta de $4 a $20
• Placa de motocicleta de reemplazo: aumenta de $ 4 a $ 12

¡Importante! Las solicitudes recibidas a partir del 1 de julio deben reflejar el aumento, incluso si el pago enviado por correo tiene un sellado anterior. Para asegurarse de que el monto que paga sea correcto, considere hacer su transacción en línea en dol.wa.gov o visite una oficina de licencias de vehículos en persona.

Permiso temporal de la concesionaria

Estos son proporcionados por las concesionarias de automóviles a los compradores para su uso hasta que reciban las placas permanentes.

• Incrementos de $15 a $40

Tarifa de documentación de la concesionaria

Esta es una tarifa opcional y negociable que cobran las concesionarias por los costos administrativos. La cantidad a continuación es la más alta permitida.

• Aumenta de $150 a $200

Revisión de vehículos robados

Afecta a vehículos previamente matriculados en otro estado que se matriculan por primera vez en Washington. El vehículo se compara con las bases de datos nacionales y estatales en busca de problemas con el título de propiedad y otros.

• Aumenta de $15 a $50 (luego a $75 a partir del 1 de julio de 2026)

¡Importante! Las solicitudes de título recibidas a partir del 1 de julio deben reflejar el aumento, incluso si el pago enviado por correo tiene un sellado anterior. Para asegurarse de que el monto que paga sea correcto, considere hacer su transacción en línea o en una oficina de licencias de vehículos.

A PARTIR DEL 1 DE ENERO DEL 2023

Tarifas por servicio de licencias y tecnología de placas

• Los camiones livianos, medianos y pesados están sujetos a una tarifa de servicio de licencia de $0.50 y una tarifa de tecnología de placas de $0.25 (ya cobrada en la mayoría de los vehículos de pasajeros).

Duplicate letter issue involving young driver license holders now resolved

Some young Washington state driver license holders may have mistakenly received duplicate letters in the mail about recent traffic infractions. The issue is now resolved. We apologize for any confusion.

The letters were sent to drivers aged 18-21 who were cited for a traffic violation. They are authorized by state laws intended to promote safer practices behind the wheel.

Normally, only one copy is sent, but a system error this month resulted in multiple mailings to up to 12,000 individuals. If you’re among these recipients, please know that no further action is needed.

Se resolvió el problema de la carta duplicada que involucraba a los jóvenes titulares de licencias de conducir

Algunos jóvenes titulares de licencias de conducir del estado de Washington pueden haber recibido por error cartas duplicadas en el correo sobre infracciones de tránsito recientes. El problema ya está resuelto. Nos disculpamos por cualquier confusión.

Las cartas fueron enviadas a conductores de entre 18 y 21 años que fueron citados por una infracción de tránsito. Estás cartas son autorizadas las por leyes estatales y están destinadas a promover prácticas más seguras de conducción.

Normalmente, solo se envía una copia, pero un error del sistema este mes resultó en múltiples envíos a hasta 12,000 personas. Si se encuentra entre estos destinatarios, sepa que no se necesita ninguna otra acción.

Will you be able to fly? REAL ID deadline just a year away

Toothbrush? Check.

Phone charger? Check.

The right identification?

Make sure to add that to your packing list as you get ready to resume traveling, post-pandemic.

The REAL ID Act goes into effect nationwide on May 3, 2023. From that date forward, standard Washington driver’s licenses and IDs will no longer be valid for domestic air travel, at U.S. border crossings, or to access certain federal facilities. That means you have just about a year to make sure you have—or get—the right kind of ID for your trip.

If you’re planning on traveling by air, you may need an enhanced driver’s license (EDL), U.S. passport, or alternate forms of identification such as a foreign passport, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766), or a Permanent Resident Card (I-551). You may already have what you need. To see if you’re ready, take the ID2023 quiz.

This all may sound familiar, as the REAL ID deadline was originally in 2020. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Washington State Department of Licensing offices were at limited capacity for a significant amount of time,” said Teresa Berntsen, DOL’s director. “This was the case with licensing agencies across the country, leading to the federal government extending the deadline. DOL has reopened most offices and is ready to issue enhanced licenses and IDs to all state residents who qualify.”

Getting an EDL requires a visit to a driver licensing office. DOL encourages applicants to make an appointment to avoid long lines and waiting times. However, getting an appointment at your desired office may take up to a month, and once your application is approved it could take a couple of weeks to receive your card. So residents who need an enhanced license or ID shouldn’t wait until the last minute.

“A year may sound like a long time, but we recommend that you don’t wait until the deadline gets closer or until just before a trip to make sure you have the right ID to travel,” Berntsen said. “You don’t want to plan that perfect vacation without knowing that everybody is prepared.”

A standard driver’s license or ID will still be good for other forms of U.S. travel, such as driving or riding a train. Newly issued standard licenses will bear the marking “Federal Limits Apply” to indicate they are not REAL ID compliant.

Visit DOL’s ID2023 website to learn more.