UPDATE – NOV. 27, 2019: A King County Superior Court judge has issued an injunction in the court challenge to Initiative 976. The Washington State Department of Licensing will continue to collect all vehicle fees and taxes unless directed otherwise by a court. See our updated Fact Sheet for more information.
Nov. 15, 2019 – After the recent passage of I-976, commonly known as the $30 car-tab initiative, the Washington State Department of Licensing is working to implement changes to affected vehicle registration fees and taxes. The initiative takes effect Dec. 5, 2019.
Any possible changes to the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (MVET), also known as the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) tax, will happen later. While DOL collects this tax, it goes toward Sound Transit projects.
DOL is working to understand the effects of pending legal actions related to I-976. Implementation efforts will persist unless a court directs otherwise.
I-976 reduces or eliminates several fees and taxes while retaining others.
Licensing Express 