Whenever an act or omission is declared to be unlawful under chapter 46.12, 46.16A, or 46.44 RCW or this chapter, and the operator of the vehicle is not the owner or lessee of the vehicle but is operating or moving the vehicle with the express or implied permission of the owner or lessee, the operator and the owner or lessee are both subject to this chapter, with the primary responsibility to be that of the owner or lessee.

Terms Used In Washington Code 46.87.230

  • Owner: means a person or business who holds the legal title to a vehicle, or if a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for its conditional sale with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee, or if a vehicle is subject to a lease, contract, or other legal arrangement vesting right of possession or control, for security or otherwise, or if a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then the owner is deemed to be the person or business in whom is vested right of possession or control. See Washington Code 46.87.020
  • Person: means any individual, partnership, association, public or private corporation, limited liability company, or other type of legal or commercial entity, including its members, managers, partners, directors, or officers. See Washington Code 46.87.020
If the person operating the vehicle at the time of the unlawful act or omission is not the owner or the lessee of the vehicle, that person is fully authorized to accept the citation or notice of infraction and execute the promise to appear on behalf of the owner or lessee.

NOTES:

Effective date—2015 c 228: See note following RCW 46.87.010.
Intent—Effective date—2011 c 171: See notes following RCW 4.24.210.
Effective dates—1987 c 244: See note following RCW 46.87.010.
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