{"data":{"id":"us-wa/rcw-46.37.685","jurisdiction":"us-wa","citation":"RCW 46.37.685","heading":"License plate flipping device—Unlawful use, display, sale—Penalty.","body":"(1)(a) It is unlawful for a person to display a license plate on a vehicle that does not match or correspond with the registration of the vehicle unless the vehicle is inventory for a properly licensed vehicle dealer.\n(b) It is unlawful for a person to have an installed license plate flipping device on a vehicle, use technology to flip a license plate on a vehicle, or use technology to change the appearance of a license plate on a vehicle.\n(c) It is unlawful for a person or entity to sell a license plate flipping device or sell technology that will change the appearance of a license plate in the state of Washington.\n(d) For purposes of this section, \"license plate flipping device\" means a device that enables a license plate on a vehicle to be changed to another license plate either manually or electronically. \"License plate flipping device\" includes technology that is capable of changing the appearance of a license plate to appear as a different license plate.\n(2) A person who switches or flips license plates on a vehicle physically, utilizes technology to flip or change the appearance of a license plate on a vehicle, sells a license plate flipping device or technology that will change the appearance of a license plate, or falsifies a vehicle registration in violation of this section, in addition to any traffic infraction, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable by confinement of up to three hundred sixty-four days in the county jail and a fine of one thousand dollars for the first offense, two thousand five hundred dollars for a second offense, and five thousand dollars for any subsequent offense, which may not be suspended, deferred, or reduced.\n(3) A vehicle that is found with an installed license plate flipping device or technology to change the appearance of a license plate may be impounded by a law enforcement officer as evidence.\n(4) Citizens are encouraged to notify law enforcement immediately if they observe a vehicle with a license plate flipping device.","path":["Title 46","Chapter 46.37"],"source_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.37.685","current_through":"July 15, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T03:04:57Z","sha256":"f0353507e52e02b3075417235a536c9e9266579fe3133a43ede87d426d6f00df","source_id":"us-wa","stale":false,"prev":"us-wa/rcw-46.37.680","next":"us-wa/rcw-46.37.690"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}