{"data":{"id":"us-wa/rcw-46.16a.050","jurisdiction":"us-wa","citation":"RCW 46.16A.050","heading":"Registration—Requirements before issuance—Penalty—Rules.","body":"(1) The department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director shall not issue an initial registration certificate for a motor vehicle to a natural person under this chapter unless the natural person at time of application:\n(a) Presents an unexpired Washington state driver's license; or\n(b) Certifies that he or she is:\n(i) A Washington state resident who does not operate a motor vehicle on public roads; or\n(ii) Exempt from the requirement to obtain a Washington state driver's license under RCW 46.20.025.\n(2) The department must set up procedures to verify that all owners meet the requirements of this section.\n(3) A person falsifying residency is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable only by a fine of five hundred twenty-nine dollars.\n(4) The department may adopt rules necessary to implement this section, including rules under which a natural person applying for registration may be exempt from the requirements of this section if the person provides evidence satisfactory to the department that he or she has a valid and compelling reason for not being able to meet the requirements of this section.","path":["Title 46","Chapter 46.16A"],"source_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.16A.050","current_through":"July 15, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T03:03:50Z","sha256":"c7b9c7a8961f1602b4fbdbd1058a2bd42979009e13adf7a61a0ec9af5a363306","source_id":"us-wa","stale":false,"prev":"us-wa/rcw-46.16a.040","next":"us-wa/rcw-46.16a.060"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}