(1) The tax imposed by this chapter does not apply to sales of passenger motor vehicles which are to be used primarily for ride sharing or ride sharing for persons with special transportation needs, as defined in RCW 46.74.010, if the vehicles are used as ride-sharing vehicles for thirty-six consecutive months beginning from the date of purchase.

(2)(a) To qualify for the tax exemption, those passenger motor vehicles with three or more passengers, including the driver, used for ride sharing, must be operated either within the state’s eight largest counties that are required to develop commute trip reduction plans as directed by chapter 70A.15 RCW, in other counties, or cities and towns within those counties, that elect to adopt and implement a commute trip reduction plan, or in other counties where the vehicle is registered with or operated by a public transportation agency. Additionally at least one of the following conditions must apply: (i) The vehicle must be operated by a public transportation agency for the benefit of the general public; or (ii) the vehicle must be used by a major employer, as defined in RCW 70A.15.4010 as an element of its commute trip reduction program for their employees; or (iii) the vehicle must be owned and operated by individual employees and must be registered either with the employer as part of its commute trip reduction program or with a public transportation agency. Individual employee owned and operated motor vehicles will require certification that the vehicle is registered with a major employer or a public transportation agency. Major employers who own and operate motor vehicles for their employees must certify that the ride-sharing arrangement conforms to a carpool/vanpool element contained within their commute trip reduction program.

(b) Notwithstanding the ridership requirements under (a) of this subsection (2), unless the vehicle is operated by a public transportation agency, the vehicle must be used for ride sharing in the transport of at least five passengers.

Effective date—2021 c 135: See note following RCW 46.18.285.

Effective date—2001 c 320: See note following RCW 11.02.005.

Finding—1993 c 488: “The legislature finds that ride sharing and vanpools are the fastest growing transportation choice because of their flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Ride sharing and vanpools represent an effective means for local jurisdictions, transit agencies, and the private sector to assist in addressing the requirements of the Commute Trip Reduction Act, the Growth Management Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Clean Air Act.” [ 1993 c 488 § 1.]

Annual recertification rule—Report—1993 c 488: “The department shall adopt by rule a process requiring annual recertification upon renewal for vehicles registered under *RCW 46.16.023 to discourage abuse of tax exemptions under RCW 82.08.0287, 82.12.0282, and 82.44.015. The department of licensing in consultation with the department of transportation shall submit a report to the legislative transportation committee and the house and senate standing committees on transportation by July 1, 1996, assessing the effectiveness of the department of licensing at limiting tax exemptions to bona fide ride-sharing vehicles.” [ 1993 c 488 § 6.]

*Reviser’s note: RCW 46.16.023 was repealed by 2010 c 161 § 438, effective July 1, 2011.

Severability—1980 c 166: “If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.” [ 1980 c 166 § 4.]

Ride-sharing vehicles—Special plates: RCW 46.18.285.