Someone called me not long ago and asked whether or not an ATV was required to be licensed by the DMV if it was used on public roads. I did a little research by asking Auditor Tim Gray who is responsible for the DMV licensing office in the Court House and he gave me a handout the Auditor’s office has prepared on the subject. It turns out that whether or not an ATV is required to have a metal license plate depends on the type of ATV it is and not where the vehicle is operated.

The following information applies only to certain wheeled all-terrain vehicles (WATVs) without regard to where the vehicle is operated.

RCW: 46.09.442 requires that WATV owners purchase and affix a metal tag to the rear of the WATV, keep the ORV decal on the WATV for law enforcement purposes and sign the registration and carry it when operating the WATV.

RCW 46.09.310 defines an WATV that needs a metal tag, as a motorized, non-highway vehicle with handle bars that are 50 inches in width or less, has a seat height of at least 20 inches, weighs less than 1,500 lbs and has 4 tires with diameters of 30 inches or less, OR, a utility-type vehicle designed for, and capable of travel over designated roads that: has 4 or more low pressure tires of 20 pounds or less, is less than 74 inches wide, weighs less than 2,000 pounds, has a wheelbase of 110 inches or less and meets 1 or more of the following: is at least 50 inches wide or weighs at least 900 pounds or has a wheelbase of over 61 inches.

The requirements above are not the only fees for ATVs, but are only related to the requirements of a metal license plate like an automobile or truck.

Please do not depend on this article as the final information on this subject.
The state of Washington seems to have the desire to require a fee for almost anything involving human behavior. So, every year, requirements change and new fees are added or old ones increased as the legislature imposes new rules and laws in their never ending effort to extract more and more money from citizens. The laws requiring the payment of fees and the registration of vehicles are complicated and because there are several statutes involved, it would be best to contact the DMV office in the courthouse or visit one of the satellite offices spread throughout the county.