FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions
Washington Lighthouses Special Vehicle Plate
When will the Washington Lighthouses special vehicle plate go on sale?
Tuesday, January 3, 2006, at the opening of business. Please visit https://wws2.wa.gov/dol/vsagents/ to locate your local vehicle licensing office.
May I purchase special plates for all of my vehicles?
Yes. The Department of Licensing (DOL) will issue plates to any vehicle registered in your name. Plates are available for registered passenger vehicles, light duty pickups, trailers, motorcycles and campers.
Will the plate(s) be given out upon initial purchase?
No. Plates will be mailed from the Olympia Headquarters Licensing Office within two business days of your application being processed in your local vehicle licensing office.
How much do the new plates cost?
The original cost to purchase a Washington Lighthouses special plate is $40 plus any applicable licensing fees. When the vehicle registration becomes due, you will need to pay an additional $30 to keep the Washington Lighthouses plates on your vehicle even if you have not had the plates for a full year. The DOL highly recommends you renew your vehicle registration at the same time you purchase your new special license plate or wait to purchase the plates when your registration is due. To determine the total cost due, contact your local vehicle licensing office. To locate your local vehicle licensing office visit https://wws2.wa.gov/dol/vsagents/.
Is any part of the cost tax-deductible?
Yes, $28 of the original cost and $28 of the annual renewal cost is tax deductible as a charitable contribution.
When will I know what Washington Lighthouses plate number I will be issued?
Once you have paid for your new plate, a new registration will be printed that will identify your new license plate number. Plate numbers are assigned sequentially and automatically by the DOL computer system. No vehicle licensing agent can override the DOL's computer system to give a specific number.
Can I personalize my Washington Lighthouses special license plate?
No. Currently, the law does not permit the DOL to personalize a special license plate. However, beginning March 1, 2007, you will be allowed to personalize this special license plate.
Will plates be issued numerically in the order in which they are applied for? Yes. The plates will be issued in numerical order by the main DOL computer system. However, the first 25 plates will be pre-assigned.
Do I need anything special to purchase this plate?
You must provide your Washington State Driver's License or Identification card with your current vehicle registration. You may also be required to complete an Address Verification form, if the department has not previously verified your current vehicle record address.
May I purchase a new plate even if my vehicle is not due to be renewed until months after the plate becomes available?
Yes. You may purchase a new plate at any point during your registration period. However, the Department of Licensing highly recommends you renew your vehicle registration at the same time you purchase your new special license plate or wait to purchase the plates when your registration is due. Otherwise, your initial special plate fee will be valid for less than one year.
Can I buy a Washington Lighthouses plate as a gift for someone else?
No, not unless you and the recipient are both registered owners of the vehicle that will bear these plates.
What happens to the special plates when I sell my vehicle?
The special plates are issued to the individual and are not transferable to another person. If you sell your vehicle and purchase a new vehicle, you may pay a transfer fee and transfer the plates to your new vehicle. If you choose not to keep your Washington Lighthouses plates, you may leave them on the vehicle and the new vehicle owner will take possession of those plates with the purchase of the vehicle.
If I purchase Washington Lighthouses plates, do the special plate fees benefit the sponsoring organization of the plates?
Yes. After the state has been reimbursed for the cost to implement this new special plate, $28 of the initial and annual plate renewal fee will benefit the Washington Lighthouses programs identified in law.
Which lighthouse is pictured on the license plate?
The image depicts aspects of several different lighthouses.
Which Lighthouses in Washington are eligible for grants from this fund?
Admiralty Head, Alki Point, Browns Point, Burrows Island (NW Schooner), Columbia River Lightship, Destruction Island, Grays Harbor, Mukilteo, New Dungeness, Point Roberts, Point Robinson, Point Wilson, Swiftsure Lightship, Turn Point, West Point and any others kept open to the public by non-profit, volunteer groups.
