(1) If the department determines at any time that an applicant for proportional registration of a vehicle or vehicles is not entitled to credentials, the department may refuse to issue credentials for the vehicle or vehicles and, after notice, cancel any existing credentials. The department must send the notice of cancellation by first-class mail, addressed to the owner of the vehicle or vehicles at the owner’s address as it appears in the proportional registration records of the department. It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate the vehicle(s) until proper credentials have been issued.

Attorney's Note

Under the Washington Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
gross misdemeanorup to 364 daysup to $5,000
For details, see Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.20.021

Terms Used In Washington Code 46.87.290

  • Credentials: means cab cards, apportioned plates, temporary operating authority, and validation tabs issued for proportionally registered vehicles. See Washington Code 46.87.020
  • Department: means the department of licensing. See Washington Code 46.87.020
  • 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
(2) Any person driving or operating the vehicle(s) after the refusal of the department to issue credentials or the suspension, revocation, or cancellation of the credentials is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
(3) A vehicle that has been driven or operated in violation of this section may be impounded by the Washington state patrol, county sheriff, or city police in a manner directed for such cases by the chief of the Washington state patrol until proper credentials have been issued.

NOTES:

Effective date2015 c 228: See note following RCW 46.87.010.
IntentEffective date2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.
Effective dates1987 c 244: See note following RCW 46.87.010.