Choosing a Buyer
How to Check a Junk Car Hauler’s License in Washington
A truck is coming to take your car and you will hand over a signed title. Before that, it makes sense to confirm that the business on the phone is licensed for the work.
You can do that from your phone in a few minutes. The steps are below, with our own endorsement as the example, so you can see how it works and check us at the same time.
Short answer
Get the business’s exact name and license or endorsement number. Search it on the Department of Licensing’s license lookup, and on the state business license lookup if you do not find it there. Confirm the license is active and the name matches. At pickup, check the name on the truck and ask to see the license certificate.
What the license tells you
In Washington, a hulk hauler is a business that deals in vehicles for the sole purpose of moving or selling them to a licensed wrecker or scrap processor, in substantially the same form it got them (RCW 46.79.010). Doing that without a license is a gross misdemeanor under RCW 46.79.120.
A license tells you the state knows who the business is and that there is an agency you can complain to. It does not tell you the offer is fair, or that the driver will be on time. It is one check out of several. Our comparison of haulers, wreckers and processors explains which license fits which business.
How to look it up
Ask for the name and number
Say: “What is your licensed business name, and what is your license or endorsement number?” Write down exactly what you hear. A trade name on a website may differ from the licensed name, so ask for both.
Search DOL’s lookup
Open the Department of Licensing’s license lookup page, which DOL says shows whether it has issued a license to a person or business, whether the license is active and when it expires. Search for the business name or the number you were given.
Search the business license lookup too
Hulk hauler licensing is processed as an endorsement through the Business Licensing Service, according to DOL’s license page. If DOL’s lookup gives you nothing, try the state’s business license lookup, run through the Department of Revenue. The license page on our site explains what we hold.
Read the result
Look for three things: the name matches, the license or endorsement is active, and it covers the work. A hulk hauler license runs for twelve consecutive months from the date of issuance, so a license can lapse. Look at the date if one is shown.
Save what you found
Take a screenshot. It takes a moment and gives you a record of what you checked and when.
Worked example: check us
We hold Washington Vehicle Transporter endorsement #09770. Try it:
- Open the state business license lookup and look for endorsement 09770. If you need our licensed business name to search, ask us when you call.
- Confirm that it shows as active and that the business listed is the one you called.
- Call us at (206) 941-0612 if you have trouble finding it or the name is not what you expected, and we will walk you through what you should see.
Then treat any other buyer the same way. Ask for their number, search it, and see if what you find matches what you were told.
Check the truck when it arrives
The state rules for hulk haulers also give you things to check in person.
| What to look for | The rule |
|---|---|
| Name on the truck | The licensee’s name, mailing address and current business phone number on both sides, in letters at least three inches high (WAC 308-65-070). |
| License certificate | It “shall be carried in the vehicles operated by hulk haulers”, with extra certificates for each vehicle (same rule). You can ask to see it. |
| Plates | Regular plates plus special hulk plates. The pair may be split between the tow vehicle and a towed vehicle that has no valid plates (WAC 308-65-060). |
| Documents | Supporting documents must be with the hauler while the car is transported (WAC 308-65-080). That is why you will be asked for yours. |
A carrier moving demolished vehicles between licensed wreckers or processors can be exempt under stated conditions, and a person towing their own car needs no hulk hauler license under RCW 46.79.110. Neither of those describes someone buying your car from your driveway, so ask if you hear them mentioned.
If you cannot find the license
A blank search does not prove anything by itself. Names can be entered differently, and the license may be held under a parent company. Do this next:
Go back and ask
Say: “I searched and could not find you. Can you give me the exact name on the license?” A real license holder should be able to clear this up.
Ask DOL
If you still have doubts, contact the Department of Licensing. If you believe someone is operating without a license, you can use its complaint page.
Use a buyer you can verify
You have other choices, and nothing obliges you to hand over a title to someone you cannot check. See our red flags guide.
Common questions
Official sources
- RCW 46.79.010: Hulk hauler and scrap processor definitions
- RCW 46.79.120: Operating without a license
- Washington DOL: License lookup
- Washington DOL: Get your hulk hauler license
- WAC 308-65-050: Hulk hauler license term
- WAC 308-65-070: Hulk hauler certificates and truck lettering
- WAC 308-65-060: Hulk hauler plates
- WAC 308-65-080: Hulk hauler documents and limits
- WAC 308-65-010: Hulk hauler definitions
- RCW 46.79.110: Towing your own vehicle
- Washington DOL: File a complaint
This post summarizes official Washington guidance as of November 2, 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees can change, so check the sources above for your situation.
Keep reading
- Washington Junk Car Seller’s GuideEvery guide, sorted by where you are in the decision
- Washington Junk Car Paperwork GuideThe documents you need before pickup
- Hulk Hauler vs. Wrecker vs. Scrap Processor
- Local Hauler, Instant-Offer Site or Driving It to a Yard?
- What to Do If the Price Drops at Pickup
- Selling a Junk Car on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist
- How to Sign Over a Car Title in Washington When You Junk It
- Who Should You Give a Signed Title To?
How we can help
4.9 out of 5 from 160 Google reviews · Licensed & insured · 20+ years in business
They made it so easy and fast! I called them gave them all the details and they came within the hour towed the car and gave us cash on the spot will definitely recommend them :)
Very fast service. The tow truck driver was very skilled at getting my SUV out of a tight spot. I appreciate how easy it was to work with this company. Highly recommend 💞
Fast same day service. I just had to make sure we had the title and the truck was clean and we were good to go! Thanks for getting rid of our old truck for free.
If you have any questions please call us at 206-941-0612