Purchasing a vehicle with foreign plates.
RCW 46.16A.150
in effectA person may not purchase a vehicle displaying foreign license plates without removing and destroying the license plates unless: (1) The out-of-state vehicle is sold to a Washington resident by a resident of a jurisdiction where the license plates follow the owner; (2) The out-of-state license plates may be returned to the jurisdiction of issuance by the owner for refund purposes; or (3) For other reasons as determined by the department by rule.
A person may not purchase a vehicle displaying foreign license plates without removing and destroying the license plates unless:
(1) The out-of-state vehicle is sold to a Washington resident by a resident of a jurisdiction where the license plates follow the owner;
(2) The out-of-state license plates may be returned to the jurisdiction of issuance by the owner for refund purposes; or
(3) For other reasons as determined by the department by rule.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.16A&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026