The renewal of the license plate sticker in Washington State is a mandatory procedure to circulate legally in the state.
Vehicle owners who fail to do so, or who do so outside the time frames established by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), may receive traffic tickets and other penalties.
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When should the license plate sticker be renewed in Washington State?
License plate sticker renewal in Washington must be done annually, before registration expires.
Three weeks before the expiration date, authorities send a notice to drivers reminding them to update their plates, although it is possible to renew the car sticker up to six months before it expires.
You can sign up to receive this reminder by mail and/or email.
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Requirements to renew the license plate sticker in Washington State
To renew your license plate sticker in Washington State, you must meet some requirements. Below we present them to you:
- Your updated address. If you moved, change your address in the DOL before renewing
- Driver's license
- Current record
- Proof of current auto insurance
- Document proving your current residence
- Renewal notice
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Emissions Test Pass Certificate, if required by the county where you live
- Payment Method: MasterCard, Visa or American Express (3% card payment fee will be charged) or bank account (no additional charges)
Please note that you cannot have outstanding debts with the state of Washington (traffic tickets, parking tickets, etc.) at the time of renewal.
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How to renew license plates in Washington State?
In Washington state there are three ways to renew your car sticker: online, by mail, and in person at a DOL office.
Renew license plates online
To renew the plates online you must enter the DOL online services page and complete the requested information:
- Plate, decal, or metal tag number
- Last name or business name
- Last 4 characters of VIN
Retrieved from fortress.wa.gov/dol/extdriveses/NoLogon/_/#1
Follow the system instructions and pay the corresponding fees with a MasterCard, Visa or American Express credit card or with your bank account.
You will receive your new car registration and decals at your mailing address within 5 business days. If 15 days pass and you have not received them, contact the Washington State Department of Licensing
You can also use the License express system to renew the expired registration. Before, you must create an account to carry out the procedure.
Plate sticker renewal by mail
The DOL tells drivers if they can renew Washington plates by mail. Generally, car owners know this because they are informed in the renewal notice or in an additional letter.
If you are eligible to renew by mail, you must meet the following requirements:
- The collection notice
- A copy of your current driver's license
- Payment of the fee (with a check or money order)
Then, send these receipts to the postal address indicated in the renewal notice.
You will receive your registration and stickers at your mailing address within 5 business days. If 15 days pass and you have not received them, contact the Washington State Department of Licensing.
License plate sticker renewal in person
Go to one of the DOL offices with the required documentation. In the DOL office locator you can choose the county that corresponds to you and locate an office close to your location.
Once on the page, you will have access to all the information about each office available in the county (in alphabetical order): address, telephone number, services provided, hours and postal mail.
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Places where I can get the license plate sticker in Washington State
The government entity in charge of license plate sticker renewal in Washington State is the Washington State Department of Licensing. The DOL has offices in every county in the state.
To find the places in your county where you can get the license plate sticker, go to the office locator on the official website of the government entity.
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License Plate Sticker Renewal Near Me, Washington State
If you need to renew your license plates in Seattle or any other city in Washington State, check the map below:
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How much does it cost to renew license plates in Washington State?
The fare for a standard passenger car is $43.25, however, amounts may vary based on weight, vehicle type, and local county taxes.
Additionally, to renew a license plate sticker in the state of Washington you must add an extra fee if the car uses the following types of license plates:
- Plate with special falcons design: $77.25
- Plate with personalized design: $89.25
On the other hand, if it is an electric car there is an additional fee of $150.
To know exactly how much you should pay for license plate sticker renewal in Washington State, you can:
- Enter the official entity's online system
- Consult through your License eXpress account
- Check the renewal notice that the DOL sends you before your license plate stickers expire
- Call telephone number 1-360-902-3770 to request this information
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When will I receive my new Washington State license plate stickers?
If you renew your license plate stickers in Washington State online or by mail, you will receive them in the next 5 business days after to make your request.
If you attend a DOL office in person, you will receive your stickers immediately after completing the process.
IMPORTANT: If you renewed your registration by mail or online, and after 15 days you did not receive your new stickers, you can call the telephone number 1-360-902-3770 to report your situation.
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How much is the fine for an expired sticker in Washington State?
You must pay $136 if the registration is less than two months expired. If you have expired license plates for more than two months, the fine is $228.
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How to cancel license plates in Washington?
To deregister a car in Washington State and cancel the car's registration you can:
- Take the plates to a local DOL office
- Send them by mail to the following address:
Department of Licensing
1125 Washington St SE
Olympia, WA 98504
- Remove or invalidate the month and year tabs. Fold the plates so they cannot be used on another vehicle and recycle them so they are not mistaken for a valid Washington license plate. Don't put them in the trash unless you first contact the recycler to see if they accept them
- Remove or invalidate the month and year tabs and keep the plates
You must return the plates to the DOL when they are: commercial vehicle plates, personalized plates, disabled parking, collector vehicles, amateur radio, horseless carriages.
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How many license plates are required in Washington state?
two plates. In the state of Washington, vehicles must have front and rear license plates to legally circulate throughout the territory.
What can I do with my old license plates in Washington?
If you have sold your car, you can keep the plates to put them on another vehicle (fees apply). You can too take them to a DOL office or send them by postal mail. Can throw them away if you agree in advance with the recycler of garbage.