Illegal Combination: Driving, Playlist, Headphones

Did you know that in Washington State, it is against the law to drive while listening to music/radio with your headphones?  Here's the low-down:

RCW 46.37.480 Television viewers — Earphones.

(1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle equipped with any television viewer, screen, or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast when the moving images are visible to the driver while operating the motor vehicle on a public road, except for live video of the motor vehicle backing up. This subsection does not apply to law enforcement vehicles communicating with mobile computer networks.

     (2) No person shall operate any motor vehicle on a public highway while wearing any headset or earphones connected to any electronic device capable of receiving a radio broadcast or playing a sound recording for the purpose of transmitting a sound to the human auditory senses and which headset or earphones muffle or exclude other sounds. This subsection does not apply to students and instructors participating in a Washington state motorcycle safety program.

     (3) This section does not apply to authorized emergency vehicles, motorcyclists wearing a helmet with built-in headsets or earphones as approved by the Washington state patrol, or motorists using hands-free, wireless communications systems, as approved by the equipment section of the Washington state patrol.

A broken car stereo can make for a quiet, uneventful commute.  To avoid a ticket, consider checking out car accessories that allow you to connect your music player to your car stereo via the cigarette lighter, or in newer models, the designated electric socket located on the console.

Being able to hear the sounds of the road are just as important as what you can see.  Don't limit your odds of safety on the road. 

Happy Driving!  May your next trip be smooth and pothole free.

What?!? I need to buy a new license plate? But why?

If you have owned cars for less than 7 years in Washington State, chances are, you don't know about this fee.  And you're not alone.  Often when drivers come into our office to renew their registration, the news of the replacement license plate requirement can be quite a point of contention during the transaction.  

In 2000, the Washington State Department of Licensing started requiring license plate replacements every seven (7) years.  This new rule was requested by the Washington State Patrol and  presented to the state legislature.

As it seems, the plate replacements resolve a safety issue.  The state says that the reflective coating on the plates wears over time, which is why drivers need new ones.

The cost of replacing your license plate is $24.00, plus filing fees which ends up being around $32.75.  This fee includes the cost to make a set of new plates, about $5.00, and the rest helps pay for state transportation projects.  If you have an attachment to your current license plate number, keeping it is easy, but will cost you an additional $20.00 at renewal time.


For more about licensing in Washington State, follow our blog, visit us at www.fastcartabs.com or call at (206) 781-0399.

Washington State Emissions Testing: What you need to know

Vehicles Requiring Emissions Tests in 2012:

• 1988 - 1994 (Even model years only)
• 1997
• 1999
• 2001
• 2003
• 2005
• 2007

     DIESEL OWNERS: The following diesel vehicles do not require emission tests:

• All diesel vehicles with a Scale Weight of 6,000 pounds or less.
  (Check under “Sclwt” (Scale Weight) on your vehicle’s registration certificate.)


• All diesel vehicles model year 2007 and newer, regardless of weight.

If you live in the following counties, you may need to get an emissions test for your vehicle every 2 years:

• Clark County
• King County
• Pierce County
• Snohomish County
• Spokane County

How to tell if your vehicle needs an emissions test

To see if your vehicle needs an emissions test, check your tab renewal notice or email reminder. If it says “This vehicle must pass a Washington emission inspection,” the vehicle must be tested before you can renew your tabs.

Requirements for military personnel

If you drive on a military base within an emission inspection area for more than 60 days a year, federal law requires your vehicle to be emission tested regardless of where they’re registered. Any questions about these requirements should be referred to your military base.

Exempt vehicles

The following types of vehicles are exempt from emission testing requirements:

• Certain hybrid vehicles that have an efficiency rating of at least 50 miles per gallon for city driving.
• 2009 and newer passenger cars, SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks that are certified to California emission standards.

How to renew your tabs after the test

When your emissions test is complete, the testing station will send us your results electronically. In most cases, our records should show your vehicle passed the emissions test within 2 hours of its completion.

• If you renew your tabs online, you should be able to renew your tabs as soon as the emission results are updated in our records. Please allow a few hours after your vehicle passes the emissions test before renewing your tabs online.
• If you renew at an office, our records should show your vehicle passed the emission test by the time you arrive. However, we recommend bringing along a copy of your test results just in case you arrive at the office before this automated update is complete.

Data courtesy of WSDOL and WA Dept. of Ecology

All Washington State boat tabs expire June 30. Renew your WA State boat tabs today at fastcartabs.com so you can get it done and have fun!

Here is some more boat registration information.

When you should register your boat

You must register and title your boat in Washington State:

• In 60 days of moving to Washington with the boat.
• In 15 days of buying the boat, if you live in Washington and bought it in another state.

Requirements

When you title and register your boat, you must provide all of the following:

• Your current out-of-state registration. If your boat isn’t currently registered in another jurisdiction, please contact Ballard Licensing at 206 781 0199 or info@fastcartabs.com.
• The out-of-state boat title or, if there is a lien holder, a photocopy of the out-of-state title. If you don’t have your out-of-state title, please contact Ballard Licensing at 206 781 0199 or info@fastcartabs.com for instructions on how to apply.
• A completed Vessel Title Application. (If you bought the boat at a dealer, they’ll complete this form for you.)
• Proof you paid sales tax on the boat. If you don’t have proof that you paid sales tax when you purchased the boat, you’ll be required to pay use tax.
• A check or money order payable to the Department of Licensing to pay the fees.

Please contact Ballard Licensing at 206 781 0199 or info@fastcartabs.com for more information about anything related to boat registration in Washington State.

Fast Car Tabs at Ballard Licensing is an official Washington State Vehicle Registration and Licensing sub agency. We provide fast, friendly registration and title services for ANY WA State resident and new WA arrivals. We make it fast and easy! Visit us today at FastCarTabs.com

King County considering car tabs fee

King County postpones vote on car tab fee


King County is considering a fee on car tabs to help save funding for some bus routes.

Council members will vote on the issue on August 15th.

Fast Car Tabs at Ballard Licensing is an official Washington State Licensing sub agency. We provide fast, friendly service for ANY WA resident and new WA arrivals. We make it fast and easy! Visit us today at FastCarTabs.com

Washington State Car and Boat Titles and Registration

Fast Car Tabs at Ballard Licensing can assist those moving to Washington State with their car and boat registration and title needs.

We are proud to offer instant, friendly and fast car licensing services. Don't take it from us, to see our reviews on Yelp click here.

We were the only licensing sub agency open in Seattle the Saturday before July 4th, thus saving the holiday weekend for hundreds of people.

Fast Car Tabs at Ballard Licensing is an official Washington State Licensing sub agency. We provide fast, friendly service for ANY WA resident and new WA arrivals. We make it fast and easy! Visit us today at FastCarTabs.com

Time, money and weekend saved using Fast Car Tabs at Ballard auto/vessel licensing

On Saturday 7 2 2011, Fast Car Tabs at Ballard auto vessel licensing was the only licensing agency open in the City of Seattle. They were open until 6pm as usual saving the holiday weekend plans of hundreds of people. Thousands of people select Ballard Licensing for its immediate mail out/pick up service when they renew tabs online.

Fast Car Tabs at Ballard Licensing is an official Washington State Licensing sub agency. We provide fast, friendly service for ANY WA resident and new WA arrivals. We make it fast and easy! Visit us today at FastCarTabs.com