General Information on Gross Weight 

1. License fees for specific use classes are based on the declared gross weight (see Use Classes).

2. Gross weight fees are calculated in 2,000-pound increments, starting at 4,000 pounds. If the required gross weight is between increments, issue the next higher increment.

3. DOL, agents, and subagents may issue gross weight licenses for the maximum legal limit up to 105,500.

4. The "declared gross weight" does not authorize the owner to carry a load exceeding the "maximum legal limit" for the vehicle.

5. If the sum of the scale weight plus the maximum load of a trailer does not exceed 4,000 pounds, the declared gross weight of the towing unit does not need to include that sum (that is, the weight of the trailer and its load). If the towing unit is a passenger vehicle, gross weight is not required.

6. The declared gross weight of a towing unit does not need to include the weight of a trailer and its load if the trailer is being used for the personal, non-commercial use of the owner of the towing unit.

7. The declared gross weight of a vehicle does not need to include the weight of any camper being carried.

RCW 46.16.070 License fee on trucks, buses and for hire vehicles based on gross weight

RCW 46.16.111 Gross weight, how

Annual

1. Purchased for 12 months with the same expiration date (month and day) as the registration. If the declared gross weight is 12,000 pounds or less, this is the only option.

2. If the declared gross weight is 12,000 pounds or less, the gross weight license must be transferred with the vehicle to the new owner upon transfer of ownership.

3. If the declared gross weight is 14,000 pounds or more, and gross weight credit is $15 or more, the owner has the option of transferring the gross weight license to a replacement vehicle or transferring it with the vehicle to the new owner.

4. Monthly gross weight permit fees are not due when a full year's gross weight license is purchased.

5. If an owner renews the registration late, there is no abatement of fees. The only time gross weight fees may be abated is when the vehicle is being added to a fleet.

Monthly

1. Purchased for 1 to 11 months. The expiration date of the gross weight is the same day of the month as the expiration date of the vehicle registration.
2. The declared  must be 14,000 pounds or more.
3. When the vehicle is sold, the owner has the option of transferring the license to a gross weight replacement vehicle or transferring it with the vehicle to the new owner.  Gross weight credit must be $15 or more.
4. At least one month's license gross weight must be purchased when vehicle registration and tabs are being issued. If licensing prior to the current expiration date, must be gross weight purchased for the first month of the new registration year. If licensing after the tabs have expired, must be gross weight  purchased for the current gross weight month. For example, if the registration year is January 1 through December 31 gross weight, but the customer does not renew until June, gross weight must be purchased for at least the month of June. January through May  fees would not be required.
5. Monthly  gross weight permit fees of $2 plus $2 for each month of gross weight purchased are due when purchasing monthly gross weight.
6. Once a vehicle is licensed for the year 3-day trip permits may NOT be used in lieu of a gross weight license. Trip permits may be used only to temporarily increase the current declared ,gross weight or to "license" the vehicle for another use class (i.e., FAR needs to be COM for three days). Please refer to Trip Permits in the Permits section.

RCW 46.16.135 Monthly license fee – penalty

WAC 308-96A-201 Purchasing gross weight – Expiration dates

WAC 308-96A-220 Gross Weight – Transfer of Gross Weight to a replacement vehicle