(1) If a tow truck, the registered owner of which is a registered tow truck operator, is to conduct transporter business under chapter 46.76 RCW, the license plate that is required to be displayed under RCW 46.16A.030 must contain an indicator tab that the vehicle is licensed to perform transporter services. The fee for an original transporter’s license plate indicator tab for a tow truck, the registered owner of which is a registered tow truck operator, is two dollars. Vehicles that are used to conduct transporter business and are not owned by a registered tow truck operator must follow the requirements of chapter 46.76 RCW.

(2) If a tow truck, the registered owner of which is a registered tow truck operator, is used for a hulk hauler or scrap processor business under chapter 46.79 RCW, the license plate that is required under RCW 46.16A.030 must contain an indicator tab that the vehicle is licensed to perform hulk hauler or scrap processor purposes under the laws of the state of Washington. The fee for a hulk hauler or scrap processor business license plate indicator tab is five dollars for the original tab and two dollars for each additional tab. Vehicles that are used to conduct hulk hauler or scrap processor business and are not owned by a registered tow truck operator must follow the requirements of chapter 46.79 RCW.

(3) If a tow truck, the registered owner of which is a registered tow truck operator, is used for a wrecker business under chapter 46.80 RCW, the license plate displayed that is required under RCW 46.16A.030 must contain an indicator tab that the vehicle is licensed to perform wrecker services. The fee for a wrecker license plate indicator tab is five dollars for the original tab and two dollars for each additional tab. Vehicles that are used to conduct wrecker business and are not owned by a registered tow truck operator must follow the requirements of chapter 46.80 RCW.

(4)(a) The license plate indicator tabs must:

(i) Affix to the license plate required to be displayed under RCW 46.16A.030;

(ii) Clearly identify the business purpose of the licensed vehicle;

(iii) Use some combination of letters and numbers to indicate a vehicle is licensed to conduct transporter business under chapter 46.76 RCW, hulk hauler or scrap processor business under chapter 46.79 RCW, or wrecker business under chapter 46.80 RCW; and

(iv) Be approved by the department.

(b) All other requirements concerning registration and display of plates as required under chapter 46.16A RCW may not conflict with this section.

(5) Chapter 135, Laws of 2018 does not allow for the use of indicator tabs, authorized in this section, on a special or personalized license plate authorized in chapter 46.18 RCW.

Effective date—2019 c 44 §§ 6 and 7: “Sections 6 and 7 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect June 1, 2019.” [ 2019 c 44 § 9.]

Findings—2018 c 135: “(1) The legislature finds that efficiency and public safety is served by consolidating the multiple license plates currently required on the vehicles of registered tow truck operators. These registered tow truck operators currently have up to four separate license plates that are required to be displayed on the vehicle at all times. The operators have the highest training and qualifications of any towing operators in Washington state.

(2) The legislature further finds that a single unified license plate with separate endorsement tabs prevents confusion and allows for easy identification and review of tow trucks by law enforcement and the motoring public. The unified license plate also saves resources by reducing the need for license plate production and reduces fraud by limiting access to these commercial license plates.

(3) A unified license plate for registered tow truck operators serves the purposes of Washington residents, the motoring public, and law enforcement, and saves money as well.” [ 2018 c 135 § 1.]

Effective date—2018 c 135: “This act takes effect June 1, 2019.” [ 2018 c 135 § 10.]