Overloading registered capacity — Additional registration — Penalties — Exceptions.
RCW 46.16A.540
in effectIt is a traffic infraction for any person to operate, or cause, permit, or suffer to be operated upon a public highway of this state any bus, auto stage, motor truck, truck tractor, or tractor, with passengers, or with a maximum gross weight, in excess of that for which the motor vehicle or combination is registered. Any person who operates or causes to be operated upon a public highway of this state any motor truck, truck tractor, or tractor with a maximum gross weight in excess of the maximum gross weight for which the vehicle is registered shall be deemed to have set a new maximum gross weight and shall, in addition to any penalties otherwise provided, be required to purchase a new registration covering the new maximum gross weight, and any failure to secure such new registration is a traffic infraction. No such person may be permitted or required to purchase the new registration for a gross weight or combined gross weight which would exceed the maximum gross weight or combined gross weight allowed by law. This section does not apply to for hire vehicles, buses, or auto stages operating principally within cities and towns.
It is a traffic infraction for any person to operate, or cause, permit, or suffer to be operated upon a public highway of this state any bus, auto stage, motor truck, truck tractor, or tractor, with passengers, or with a maximum gross weight, in excess of that for which the motor vehicle or combination is registered.
Any person who operates or causes to be operated upon a public highway of this state any motor truck, truck tractor, or tractor with a maximum gross weight in excess of the maximum gross weight for which the vehicle is registered shall be deemed to have set a new maximum gross weight and shall, in addition to any penalties otherwise provided, be required to purchase a new registration covering the new maximum gross weight, and any failure to secure such new registration is a traffic infraction. No such person may be permitted or required to purchase the new registration for a gross weight or combined gross weight which would exceed the maximum gross weight or combined gross weight allowed by law. This section does not apply to for hire vehicles, buses, or auto stages operating principally within cities and towns.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.16A&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026