PERMANENT RULES
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: Rule making is required to comply with the RCW 46.12.440 and 46.16.680 and SB 5719 relating to the title and registration requirements of kit vehicles.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 308-56A-160 Model year -- How determined.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.01.110.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 09-23-008 on November 5, 2009.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: December 30, 2009.
Walt Fahrer
Rules Coordinator
OTS-2592.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 03-12-006, filed 5/22/03,
effective 6/22/03)
WAC 308-56A-160
Model year -- How determined.
(1) How is
a model year assigned to a vehicle? The model year for a
vehicle is the model year assigned by the manufacturer ((or in
the case of homemade vehicles, it is the year the vehicle was
built)). If an original manufacturer has not assigned a model
year, or your vehicle is rebuilt, homemade, a street rod, or
assembled vehicle, the following criteria will be used to
establish the model year:
(a) When possible, the model year will be determined from the vehicle identification number (VIN). When the VIN does not identify the production date, corresponding production records of the original manufacturer must be used.
(b) The model year for a homemade vehicle will be the year of inspection for the purpose of making an application for certificate of ownership.
(c) The model year for assembled vehicles will be determined at the time of inspection based on the date of manufacture of the vehicle that the newly assembled vehicle most closely resembles.
(2) Are there standards for assigning model years that
manufacturers must follow? Manufacturers must adopt standards
for assigning model years based on ((either)) the date of
manufacture ((or features of the vehicle)) as outlined in 46
CFR. ((The standards must be such that all vehicles assigned
a model year that are manufactured in the same year with the
same features are assigned the same model year.)) Manufacturers must designate the model year on the
manufacturer's certificate of origin (MCO), manufacturer's
statement of origin (MSO) or similar documents.
(3) How are model years assigned to vehicles that are
incomplete((, such as certain recreational vehicles))?
Manufacturers of chassis or incomplete vehicles sold to
((motor home or recreational vehicle)) manufacturers who issue
separate MCOs/MSOs need not assign model year to ((these
vehicles)) the chassis or incomplete vehicle. The final stage
manufacturer of these vehicles must assign the model year as
provided in subsection (2) of this section. In the event a
model year is assigned by both the incomplete vehicle
manufacturer and the completing manufacturer, the completing
manufacturer assigned model year will be used on the
certificates of ownership and registration.
(4) ((How will a model year be assigned to my vehicle if
the manufacturer did not assign one? If an original
manufacturer has not assigned a model year, or your vehicle is
rebuilt, homemade, a street rod, assembled or a kit vehicle,
the Washington state patrol or other person authorized by the
director to make vehicle inspections will use the following
criteria to establish the model year:
(a) The model year for a homemade vehicle will be the year of inspection for the purpose of making an application for certificate of ownership.
(b) When possible, the model year will be determined from the vehicle identification number (VIN). When the VIN does not identify the production date, corresponding production records of the original manufacturer must be used.
(c) The model year for assembled vehicles will be determined by the Washington state patrol based on the date of manufacture of the vehicle that the vehicle most closely resembles.
(d) The model year of a kit vehicle as defined in RCW 46.04.251 will not be the model year of the vehicle the kit replicates.
(5))) For purposes of this section the following terms will have the meanings indicated:
(a) "Manufacture" means to produce or assemble vehicles or vehicle equipment in the customs territory of the United States or to import.
(b) "Manufacturer" means ((any person, firm, association,
corporation, or trust, resident or nonresident, who
manufactures or assembles new and unused vehicles or
remanufactured vehicles. Manufacture includes the assembling,
altering, or converting of a vehicle to the extent the vehicle
qualifies for a change in the series and body type appearing
on its title, MCO/MSO or similar documents.
(b))):
(i) A person engaged in the business of manufacturing vehicle or vehicle equipment, including predecessor or successor of the person to the extent provided under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation in 49 CFR; and
(ii) If more than one person is the manufacturer of a vehicle, the person specified under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation in 49 CFR.
(c) "Incomplete vehicle" means an assemblage consisting of, as a minimum:
(i) Frame and chassis structure;
(ii) Power train;
(iii) Steering system;
(iv) Suspension system; and
(v) Braking system.
To the extent that those systems are to be part of the completed vehicle that requires further manufacturing operation; other than the additions of readily attachable components, such as mirrors or tire and rim assemblies, or minor finishing operations such as painting, to become a completed vehicle.
(((c))) (d) "Model" means a name that a manufacturer
applies to a family of vehicles of the same type, make, line,
series, and body type.
(((d))) (e) "Assembled and homemade vehicles" have the
meaning provided in WAC 308-56A-455.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.12.040, 46.16.216. 03-12-006, § 308-56A-160, filed 5/22/03, effective 6/22/03; 99-12-031, § 308-56A-160, filed 5/25/99, effective 6/25/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. 97-07-014, § 308-56A-160, filed 3/11/97, effective 4/11/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 1993 c 488 and chapter 46.12 RCW. 94-17-044, § 308-56A-160, filed 8/10/94, effective 9/10/94. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. 93-14-084, § 308-56A-160, filed 6/30/93, effective 7/31/93.]