Vehicle Transport and Disposal

A Hulk Hauler endorsement is required if you transport or sell wrecked vehicles to wreckers or motor vehicle salvage processors.

License plate requirements

Each vehicle used to conduct business must have a set of Hulk Hauler license plates.

Registered Tow Truck Operators (RTTOs) using their registered tow trucks to also conduct transporter business can purchase an indicator tab to place on the commercial vehicle registration license plate in lieu of a vehicle transporter license plate. Discounted plate fees apply to such an RTTO business electing to purchase regular Transporter license plates instead. For more information, visit Department of Licensing Vehicle Transport and Disposal page.

After you receive your license

• You'll need a contract with the Department of Licensing to search vehicle registration information.
• On the 10th of each month, you must report all the vehicles acquired in the previous month to the Department of Licensing.

Licensing requirements and additional supporting documents

• Business License Application.
• Vehicle Transport/Disposal Addendum (complete sections Page 1: A and D; page 2: A, B, and C).
• Vehicle Dealer Personal/Criminal History Statement.
   

A Motor Vehicle Salvage Processer endorsement is required for businesses that maintain a hydraulic baler and shears or a shredder to recycle salvage from wrecked titled or registered vehicles. Each business location must be registered separately.

License plate requirements

Each vehicle used to conduct business must have a Motor Vehicle Salvage Processor license plate.

Each location must maintain separate license plates for vehicles used at that site.

Registered Tow Truck Operators (RTTOs) using their registered tow trucks to also conduct transporter business can purchase an indicator tab to place on the commercial vehicle registration license plate in lieu of a vehicle transporter license plate. Discounted plate fees apply to such an RTTO business electing to purchase regular Transporter license plates instead. For more information, visit Department of Licensing Vehicle Transport and Disposal page.

After you receive your license

• You'll need a contract with the Department of Licensing to search vehicle registration information.
• On the 10th of each month, you must report to the Department of Licensing all the vehicles acquired in the previous month.

Licensing requirements and additional supporting documentation

• Business License Application.
• Vehicle Transport/Disposal Addendum (complete the following sections Page 1: A and D; Page 2: A, B, and C).
• Vehicle Dealer Personal/Criminal History Statement.
• Weighing and Measuring Devices Addendum.
   

See also:

• Hulk Haulers/Motor Vehicle Salvage Processors Manual.
• State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Checklist from Dept. of Ecology.

A Registered Tow Truck Operator endorsement is required if your business:

• transports, impounds, or stores unauthorized vehicles
• disposes of abandoned vehicles

Licensing requirements and additional supporting documents

• Business License Application.
• Vehicle, Vessel, Vehicle Manufacturer, Registered Tow Truck Operator, or Wrecker Bond.
• Vehicle Transport/Disposal Addendum (complete the sections page 1: A and B; page 2: A and B).
• Registered Tow Truck Operator Official Fees.
• Original Tow Truck-Business-Operator-Equipment Inspection Report Form
  • The inspecting officer from the Washington State Patrol will give you this form when your facilities and equipment are inspected.
• $5,000 bond.
  • The name of the principal on the bond must be exactly the same as both the business owner name and the business firm name.
    • All bonds must be signed by the applicant and the attorney-in-fact for the bonding company.
    • Bonds are available through many insurance companies. We recommend you research the cost of your bond before you apply for a license.
• Drivers list, with the names and addresses of all employees who will drive a tow truck.
• Insurance.
  • $100,000 liability for bodily injury or property damage.
  • $50,000 legal liability against damage to vehicles while they are in your custody.
• Valid permit for each tow truck.
• If you use registered tow trucks to also conduct other business activities, your tow truck must have an indicator tab for the other business activities placed on the truck’s license plate. Review the specific requirements for Vehicle Transporter; Hulk Hauler; Vehicle Wrecker; and Motor Vehicle Salvage Processor.

Registered Tow Truck Operator Branch endorsement

A Registered Tow Truck Operator Branch endorsement is required if you operate additional vehicle storage/impound areas located away from the main business location.

• Tow trucks are registered only at the main business location.
• You must submit a separate application for each additional area.

Licensing requirements

• Business License Application with all the necessary signatures.
• Vehicle Transport/Disposal Branch Site Addendum for each branch site location.

After you receive your license

• You'll need a contract with the Department of Licensing to search vehicle registration information.
• You must report to the Department of Licensing when you impound a vehicle or sell an abandoned vehicle.

See also:

• Registered Tow Truck Operator’s Manual.

A Vehicle Transporter endorsement is required if you transport motor vehicles that are not owned by you or your company over any roads in Washington.

Automotive repair shops can apply for a Vehicle Transporter endorsement to allow test-driving a repaired vehicle on the road.

License plate requirements

When you transport vehicles, you must have a separate license plate for each vehicle driven under its own power. If a vehicle is being moved by a transport vehicle, the transport vehicle must have a transporter license plate.

Registered Tow Truck Operators (RTTOs) using their registered tow trucks to also conduct transporter business can purchase an indicator tab to place on the commercial vehicle registration license plate in lieu of a vehicle transporter license plate. Discounted plate fees apply to such an RTTO business electing to purchase regular Transporter license plates instead. For more information, visit Department of Licensing Vehicle Transport and Disposal page.

Licensing requirements and additional supporting documents

• Business License Application.
• Vehicle Transport/Disposal Addendum.

A Wrecker endorsement is required if your business buys or sells:

• Wrecked titled or registered motor vehicles for the purpose of dismantling them.
• Second-hand motor vehicle part.

License plate requirements

You will need a Wrecker license plate for each vehicle used to conduct business.

Registered Tow Truck Operators (RTTOs) using their registered tow trucks to also conduct wrecker business will receive an indicator tab sticker on the commercial vehicle registration license plate in lieu of a vehicle transporter license plate. For more information, visit Department of Licensing Vehicle Transport and Disposal page.

Licensing requirements and additional supporting documents

• Business License Application.
• Vehicle, Vessel, Vehicle Manufacturer, Registered Tow Truck Operator, or Wrecker Bond.
• Vehicle Dealer Personal/Criminal History Statement.
• Vehicle Transport/Disposal Addendum (complete sections 1,4, 5, 6, and 7).
• Weighing and Measuring Devices Addendum.
• State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Checklist from Dept. of Ecology.

Wrecker Branch endorsement

A Wrecker Branch endorsement is required if you operate additional vehicle wrecker business locations in the same county as your main location.

Licensing requirements and additional supporting documents

• Business License Application.
• Vehicle Transport/Disposal Branch Site Addendum for each branch site location.
• Weighing and Measuring Devices Addendum.

After you receive your license

• You'll need a contract with the Department of Licensing to search vehicle registration information.
• On the 10th of each month, you must report to the Department of Licensing all the vehicles acquired in the previous month.