(1)
What are the criteria for
establishing collegiate license plates? Application for license plate
series from an institution of higher education under
RCW
46.18.225 may be submitted to the department
through the process established in
RCW
46.18.100 and
46.18.110. In addition the
following criteria must be satisfied:
(a) The
plates will consist of numbers, letters, colors, and a symbol or artwork
approved by the department.
(b) The
numbers and letters combination may not exceed seven positions.
(c) The plate series will not conflict with
existing license plates.
(d) The
plate design must provide at least four positions to accommodate serial
numbering.
(e) The plate must not
carry connotations which are offensive to good taste or decency, which may be
misleading or vulgar in nature, a racial, ethnic, lifestyle, or gender slur,
related to intoxicating substances or illegal activities , contrary to the
department's mission to promote highway safety, or a duplication of other
license plates provided in chapter 46.16A RCW.
(f) The plate must be designed so that it is
legible and clearly identifiable by law enforcement personnel as an official
Washington state issued license plate. A collegiate license plate design may
not be issued in combination with any other license plate configuration
including special, personalized, or exempt license plate(s). A collegiate
license plate design may be issued in combination with a personalized plate as
described in
RCW
46.18.277.
(2)
How is the design for a collegiate
plate determined? The institution of higher education must provide a
design, including color and dimension specifications of the logo requested on
the special collegiate license plate series, with their application. Design
services may be purchased through the department. The design must be legible
and clearly identifiable as a Washington state plate to be approved by the
department, Washington state patrol, and the legislature.
(3)
Who may apply for the special
collegiate license plate? Upon receipt of all applicable fees, the
special collegiate license plate will be issued to a registered owner of the
vehicle.
(4)
When ownership
of a vehicle issued collegiate license plates is sold, traded, or otherwise
transferred, what happens to the plates? The owner may relinquish the
plates to the new vehicle owner or remove the plates from the vehicle for
transfer to a replacement vehicle. If the plates are removed from the vehicle,
a transfer fee to another vehicle shall be charged as provided in
RCW
46.17.200(1).
(5)
Will any new fees be charged when
the collegiate license plates are sold, traded, or otherwise
transferred?
If the registration expiration date for the new vehicle exceeds
the old vehicle registration expiration date, an abated fee for the collegiate
plate will be charged at the rate of one-twelfth of the annual collegiate plate
fee for each exceeding month and partial month. If the new registration
expiration date is sooner than the old expiration date, a refund will not be
made for the remaining registration period.
(6)
Will I be able to retain my current
collegiate license plate number and letter combination if my plate is lost,
defaced, or destroyed? Yes. Upon the loss, defacement, or destruction of
one or both collegiate license plates, the owner will make application for new
collegiate plates or other license plates and pay the fees described in
RCW
46.17.200 as applicable. See note following
subsection (8) of this section.
(7)
How does the department define "current license plate
registration"? For the purposes of this section, a current license plate
registration is defined as: A registration that has not expired or a
registration where it is less than one year past the expiration date.
(8)
When I am required to replace my
collegiate license plate, will I receive the same license plate number and
letter combination? Yes. In addition to the license plate replacement
fee, you may pay an additional plate retention fee to retain the same number
and letter combination as shown on the current vehicle computer record as long
as the plate meets a current approved license plate configuration and
background.
