(1) What is a rental vehicle?

A rental vehicle is defined in RCW 46.04.465.

(2) Who registers a rental vehicle?

Any Washington vehicle licensing office registers rental vehicles.

(3) How will I register my rental vehicles?

Annual renewal of rental vehicle registration may be processed through any Washington vehicle licensing office or by mail by meeting the qualifications and paying the appropriate fees. The rental vehicle business registration number must be included on the vehicle registration. The name of the legal or registered owner on a rental vehicle registration must be identical to the business name displayed on the master license.

(4) Do rental vehicles operated in Washington need to be registered in Washington?

Rental vehicles must be registered in Washington unless:

(a) Rented by a customer at a location outside of the state of Washington; or

(b) The vehicle was dropped off at a Washington rental vehicle business by its previous renter and is being rented for a one-way trip out of Washington; or

(c) The vehicle is part of a properly registered International Registration Plan (IRP) rental vehicle business fleet.

(5) Does the current certificate of registration issued by the department need to be carried in the rental vehicle?

A photocopy of the current certificate of registration may be carried in a rental vehicle in lieu of the original certificate of registration.

(6) Who may operate a rental vehicle?

Rental vehicles may only be used by rental customers, unless the rental vehicle is being moved by the business to another business site, to or from maintenance or repair facilities, or for testing purposes.

(7) What does a rental vehicle business do when they remove a rental vehicle from their fleet?

The rental vehicle business may submit a vehicle seller's report of sale that protects the seller of a vehicle from certain criminal and civil liabilities arising from use of the vehicle by another person after the vehicle has been sold or a change in ownership has occurred.