List of rulemaking activity

Law judge titles

  • Driver licensing
    • Hearings
In progress

Current rule(s)

We're updating references to hearing examiners, after they were renamed to law judges in July 2025. We're also making corrections to language and using more inclusive pronouns.

Current step

December 18, 2025

Rule change proposed

Public hearing or comments

We're conducting this rule change under an expedited process (RCW 34.05.353). This process eliminates the need for us to hold public hearings. If you object to the use of the expedited process for this rule change, you must object in writing. Email your objection to rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov or mail it to:

Rules Coordinator
Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Submit your comments online

Terminating suspensions

  • Driver licensing
    • Suspensions
Completed

Current rule(s)

We conducted rulemaking to clarify the process for terminating a suspension resulting from accumulated traffic infractions.

Current step

November 21, 2025

New rule adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing on this rulemaking activity on November 4, 2025.

Temporary license plate expiration dates

  • Vehicle and boat registration
    • License plates
Completed

Current rule(s)

Department temporary license plates (WAC 308-56A-140)

We put in place extensions for temporary license plate expiration dates. These extensions are for cases of permanent license plate shortages.

Current step

November 4, 2025

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

You can participate in this rulemaking activity by contacting us at rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov.

Collector vehicle requirements

  • Vehicle and boat registration
    • License plates
Completed

Current rule(s)

We conducted rulemaking to include collector vehicle insurance requirements, secondary vehicle requirements, and eligible vehicle manufacturer dates.

Current step

October 21, 2025

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We conducted this rule change under an expedited process (RCW 34.05.353). This process eliminates the need for us to hold public hearings. If you object to the use of the expedited process for this rule change, you must object in writing. Email your objection to rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov or mail it to:

Rules Coordinator
Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Fair housing training requirements

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Appraisers
    • Appraisal management companies
Completed

Current rule(s)

We conducted rulemaking to align with changes to the fair housing training requirements. The updated rule removes gendered language and provides clarity on inactive appraiser license fees.

Current step

October 21, 2025

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We conducted this rule change under an expedited process (RCW 34.05.353). This process eliminates the need for us to hold public hearings. If you object to the use of the expedited process for this rule change, you must object in writing. Email your objection to rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov or mail it to:

Rules Coordinator
Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Vehicle and vessel ownership in doubt

  • Vehicle and boat registration
    • Boats
    • Vehicle records
Completed

Current rule(s)

  • Ownership in Doubt - Bonded title or three-year registration without title (WAC 308-56A-210)
  • Ownership in Doubt - Bonded title or three-year registration without title (WAC 308-93-440)

We conducted rulemaking to clarify Ownership in Doubt rules. The changes clarify that we won't require customers to seek releases of interest from prior owners before entering Ownership in Doubt. This aligns with current law, helps protect the names and addresses of vehicle and vessel owners.

Current step

September 16, 2025

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing on this rulemaking activity on September 15, 2025.

Places of business

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Vehicle and boat dealers
    • Vehicle manufacturers
Completed

Current rule(s)

Place of business and places of business (WAC 308-66-140)

We conducted expedited rulemaking to align this rule with RCW 46.70.083. The rule language appeared more restrictive to licensees than the law.

Current step

September 23, 2025

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We proposed this rule change under an expedited process (RCW 34.05.353). This process eliminates the need for us to hold public hearings. If you object to the use of the expedited process for this rule change, you must object in writing. Email your objection to rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov or mail it to:

Rules Coordinator
Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Internal agency practice

  • Other
Completed

Current rule(s)

Practice and Procedure (Chapter 308-08 WAC)

We created a new rule to clarify current agency procedures. The new rule clarifies that initial orders become final if there is no petition for review by the deadline.

Current step

September 17, 2025

New rule adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing on this rulemaking activity on September 16, 2025.

We previously held a public hearing on this rulemaking activity on June 24, 2025.

Fuel tax and proration investigations and appeals

  • Prorate and fuel tax
Completed

Current rule(s)

These rules define the scope of records requests and other investigation requirements for fuel tax licensees. The rules reflect changes to dyed diesel penalties. They allow assessment based on storage capacity and add repeater penalties for violations within a 5-year period. The rules make several technical changes. They remove “informal hearing” for “Review by Department”. They also add an Appeals chapter under aircraft fuel WACs.

Current step

December 26, 2024

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing for this rulemaking activity on December 11, 2024.

Habitual traffic offender probation

  • Driver licensing
    • Hearings
Completed

Current rule(s)

Probation in habitual traffic offender matters (WAC 308-101-240)

We clarified probation guidelines and terms in habitual traffic offender matters.

Current step

July 22, 2025

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing for this rulemaking activity on July 8, 2025.

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