(1) The department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director shall assign a new registration year to a vehicle if: (a) The registered ownership of the vehicle is being transferred, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section. The renewed vehicle registration is valid for a full twelve-month period unless: (i) The vehicle changes ownership during the twelve-month period, in which case the registration expires; or (ii) a specific expiration date is required by law, rule, or program; or (b) The Washington vehicle registration has expired and the registered owner: (i) Is a member of the United States armed forces; (ii) Was stationed outside of Washington under military orders during the prior vehicle registration year; and (iii) Provides the department a copy of the military orders. (2) Each registration year may be divided into twelve registration months. Each registration month begins at 12:01 a.m. on a day of the month assigned by the department and ends at 12:00 a.m. on the same day the following month. (3) A registration period extends through the end of the next business day when the final day of a registration year or month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. (4) A vehicle registration does not expire when a change in vehicle ownership is the result of one or more of the following circumstances: (a) When adding a lienholder to the certificate of title or removing a lienholder from the certificate of title; (b) When a vehicle is transferred from one spouse or registered domestic partner to another; (c) When removing a deceased spouse or registered domestic partner from the certificate of title; (d) When a vehicle is transferred by gift or inheritance to one or more members of the registered owner's immediate family; (e) When a vehicle is transferred into or out of a trust in which the registered owner or one or more immediate family members of the registered owner is the beneficiary; (f) When a leaseholder buys out the leased vehicle; or (g) When a person changes his or her name. [ 2014 c 80 s 2; 2010 c 161 s 402; 2009 c 159 s 1; 1992 c 222 s 1; 1983 c 27 s 1; 1981 c 214 s 1; 1975 1st ex.s. c 118 s 1. Formerly RCW 46.16.006.]
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