Statutes, codes, and regulations
Washington Administrative Code
Title 308 - Licensing, Department of (See also Titles 36, 98 and 196)
Chapter 308-96A - Vehicle licenses
Section 308-96A-550 - Vehicle special collegiate license plates

Wash. Admin. Code § 308-96A-550

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Current through Register Vol. 25-01, January 1, 2025
Section 308-96A-550 - Vehicle special collegiate license plates
(1)What are the criteria for establishing collegiate license plates? Application for license plate series from an institution of higher education under RCW 46.18.225 may be submitted to the department through the process established in RCW 46.18.100 and 46.18.110. In addition the following criteria must be satisfied:
(a) The plates will consist of numbers, letters, colors, and a symbol or artwork approved by the department.
(b) The numbers and letters combination may not exceed seven positions.
(c) The plate series will not conflict with existing license plates.
(d) The plate design must provide at least four positions to accommodate serial numbering.
(e) The plate must not carry connotations which are offensive to good taste or decency, which may be misleading or vulgar in nature, a racial, ethnic, lifestyle, or gender slur, related to intoxicating substances or illegal activities , contrary to the department's mission to promote highway safety, or a duplication of other license plates provided in chapter 46.16A RCW.
(f) The plate must be designed so that it is legible and clearly identifiable by law enforcement personnel as an official Washington state issued license plate. A collegiate license plate design may not be issued in combination with any other license plate configuration including special, personalized, or exempt license plate(s). A collegiate license plate design may be issued in combination with a personalized plate as described in RCW 46.18.277.
(2)How is the design for a collegiate plate determined? The institution of higher education must provide a design, including color and dimension specifications of the logo requested on the special collegiate license plate series, with their application. Design services may be purchased through the department. The design must be legible and clearly identifiable as a Washington state plate to be approved by the department, Washington state patrol, and the legislature.
(3)Who may apply for the special collegiate license plate? Upon receipt of all applicable fees, the special collegiate license plate will be issued to a registered owner of the vehicle.
(4)When ownership of a vehicle issued collegiate license plates is sold, traded, or otherwise transferred, what happens to the plates? The owner may relinquish the plates to the new vehicle owner or remove the plates from the vehicle for transfer to a replacement vehicle. If the plates are removed from the vehicle, a transfer fee to another vehicle shall be charged as provided in RCW 46.17.200(1).
(5)Will any new fees be charged when the collegiate license plates are sold, traded, or otherwise transferred?

If the registration expiration date for the new vehicle exceeds the old vehicle registration expiration date, an abated fee for the collegiate plate will be charged at the rate of one-twelfth of the annual collegiate plate fee for each exceeding month and partial month. If the new registration expiration date is sooner than the old expiration date, a refund will not be made for the remaining registration period.

(6)Will I be able to retain my current collegiate license plate number and letter combination if my plate is lost, defaced, or destroyed? Yes. Upon the loss, defacement, or destruction of one or both collegiate license plates, the owner will make application for new collegiate plates or other license plates and pay the fees described in RCW 46.17.200 as applicable. See note following subsection (8) of this section.
(7)How does the department define "current license plate registration"? For the purposes of this section, a current license plate registration is defined as: A registration that has not expired or a registration where it is less than one year past the expiration date.
(8)When I am required to replace my collegiate license plate, will I receive the same license plate number and letter combination? Yes. In addition to the license plate replacement fee, you may pay an additional plate retention fee to retain the same number and letter combination as shown on the current vehicle computer record as long as the plate meets a current approved license plate configuration and background.

Wash. Admin. Code § 308-96A-550

Amended by WSR 15-10-005, Filed 4/22/2015, effective 5/23/2015
Amended by WSR 16-02-032, Filed 12/29/2015, effective 1/29/2016

Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. 11-01-118, § 308-96A-550, filed 12/20/10, effective 1/20/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.16.135, 46.16.225, 46.16.490, 46.16.276. 04-08-079, § 308-96A-550, filed 4/6/04, effective 5/7/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.16.335, 46.12.070. 03-05-082, § 308-96A-550, filed 2/19/03, effective 3/22/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.16.335, 46.16.276. 01-10-069, § 308-96A-550, filed 4/30/01, effective 5/31/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110 and 1997 c 291. 98-01-151, § 308-96A-550, filed 12/22/97, effective 1/22/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.16.301, 46.16.324 and 46.01.110. 95-11-043, § 308-96A-550, filed 5/10/95, effective 6/10/95. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. 91-03-091, § 308-96A-550, filed 1/18/91, effective 2/18/91.