How to get dealer plates in Washington
What Washington dealer plates cost, the types you can get, how to apply, and the rules on using them. Verified as of July 2026.
WA dealer plates at a glance:
- Issued by
- Washington DOL
- Cost per plate
- $50.75/set original, $38.75 renewal
- Requirement
- Active WA vehicle dealer license
- Use them for
- Demos, inventory moves, dealership business
- Term
- Annual (renews with the license)
Informational only — confirm current fees and rules with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) before you apply.
DealerVLO tracks your inventory, deals, and paperwork so the plates are the only thing left on your list. $99/month, free to try — no credit card.
What Washington dealer plates are
Washington dealer plates are issued by the Department of Licensing alongside your vehicle dealer license: $50.75 per set original and $38.75 per set at renewal, per the DOL's published fee schedule. They let a licensed dealer operate, move, and demonstrate dealership-owned vehicles without registering each unit.
Washington also gives dealers a separate temporary-plate system for sold vehicles — the buyer drives home on a dealer-issued temporary permit while the registration processes, not on your dealer plate. Keeping those two systems straight is most of what staying compliant looks like here.
Types of WA dealer plates
For licensed vehicle dealers, on dealership-owned vehicles — demonstrations, transport, and dealership business. $50.75 per set original, $38.75 renewal, $20.75 replacement.
The motorcycle-dealer equivalent at $44.75 per set original ($38.75 renewal) for licensed miscellaneous-vehicle dealers.
Washington's dealer-issued temporary license plates for sold vehicles — what the buyer actually drives home on while title and registration process.
How to get dealer plates in Washington
- 1
Get your Washington dealer license first
Dealer plates require an active DOL vehicle dealer license — the $30,000 bond, UBI/business license, and the $975 original license application come first.
- 2
Order plate sets from DOL
Request the number of sets your operation needs at $50.75 per set with the application (or later through dealer services).
- 3
Renew with the license
Plates renew annually with your dealer license at $38.75 per set. A lost or damaged plate is replaced for $20.75.
- 4
Use temporary permits for sold vehicles
When a car sells, issue the buyer a dealer temporary permit and start the title work — the dealer plate comes back to your board.
Rules on using WA dealer plates
- Plates go on dealership-owned vehicles for dealership business — demos, transport, auction runs
- Sold vehicles go home on a dealer temporary permit, not your dealer plate
- Keep your dealer license, bond, and insurance current — the plates hang on the license
- Track which plate is on which vehicle; DOL and law enforcement can check
- Misuse (personal use, lending plates) risks the plates and the dealer license behind them
Common questions
How much are dealer plates in Washington?+
$50.75 per set for the original issue and $38.75 per set at renewal, per the DOL fee schedule. Replacements run $20.75, and motorcycle dealer plates are slightly less at $44.75 original.
Who can get Washington dealer plates?+
Licensed Washington vehicle dealers. The DOL license — with its $30,000 bond, business license/UBI, and location inspection — comes first; plates are ordered with or after the license.
Can my customer drive home on my Washington dealer plate?+
No. Washington gives dealers a temporary-permit system for exactly that: the buyer drives home on a dealer-issued temporary plate while the registration processes, and your dealer plate stays with your inventory.
How many dealer plates can I get in Washington?+
You order the number of sets your operation needs at $50.75 each — there's no published hard cap for typical dealers, but keep the count defensible against your inventory and sales volume.
When do Washington dealer plates renew?+
Annually, together with your vehicle dealer license, at $38.75 per set. Keep the license and bond current — expired credentials invalidate the plates that ride on them.
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