Ridgefield Police officers will be conducting an Out of State Plate Education Emphasis in the coming weeks to help inform residents about Washington State’s vehicle registration requirements.
If you live in Ridgefield and your car is registered in another state, you may be violating Washington’s vehicle registration laws. State law requires residents to register their vehicle in Washington immediately after purchasing it. If you move to Ridgefield from another state, you have 30 days from your arrival to properly register your vehicle with the Washington Department of Licensing.
During this education emphasis, Ridgefield Police officers will check parked vehicles within city limits for out-of-state license plates. Officers will leave flyers on vehicles with out-of-state plates that outline registration requirements and explain how residents can bring their vehicles into compliance. They will also document the vehicle for follow-up. After three weeks, officers will check to see if the vehicle has been properly registered. Vehicles that continue to display out-of-state plates will be subject to continued follow up until compliance is achieved.
This effort is focused on awareness, not punishment. Our officers’ goal is to educate and provide residents with the information they need to comply with state law. We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to get informed before facing potential penalties.
Vehicle registration fees support vital transportation infrastructure projects throughout Washington, including highway development, road and bridge maintenance and sidewalk construction. Even if your out-of-state registration is still valid, the services and roads you rely on as a resident are funded by Washington registration fees. Failing to properly register a vehicle can result in a fine of $1,131.
Nearby vehicle licensing offices include:
- Ridgefield Junction Auto License
7509 S 5th St, Ste 101-A, Ridgefield, WA 98642 - Hwy 99 Auto License
13009 NE Hwy 99, Vancouver, WA 98686 (Ace Hardware) - Hazel Dell Auto License
1503 NE 78th St #10, Vancouver, WA 98665 - Battle Ground Auto License
301 W Main St #101, Battle Ground, WA 98604
For more information on vehicle registration requirements and how to register your vehicle, visit the Washington State Department of Licensing website.