Unusual Ownership
Moved to Washington With an Old Car You No Longer Want
The move is done, the boxes are half unpacked, and the car that got you here is not worth keeping. Maybe it made the trip on a hope. Maybe it died in the first week, still wearing plates from your old state. Now you have a Washington address and a car you would rather not spend money on.
A new resident has a deadline to think about, and an old car with a title from somewhere else adds a few wrinkles. Here is what is known, what is not, and how to decide.
Short answer
The Department of Licensing (DOL) says new residents have 30 days after moving to get a license and register. If you do not want the car, ask the Department of Licensing what applies before that window ends, then choose: register it, sell it privately, or sell it as junk. To sell to us, call (206) 941-0612 and tell us what you have, and we will tell you whether we can take it.
The rules that start when you move
| Rule | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Register after moving | New residents have 30 days after moving to get a license and register. | DOL: Moving to Washington |
| Use tax exemption | It applies if a private motor vehicle was acquired and used in another state “more than 90 days before moving to Washington” and licensed here “within 30 days of moving to this state”. | DOR: Vehicles brought from out of state |
| Failing to register | Failing to make an initial registration before operating the car on public highways is a traffic infraction with a $529 fine, plus any delinquent taxes and fees. Failing to renew before operating on public highways is also an infraction. | RCW 46.16A.030 |
| Your ownership papers | Out-of-state vehicles need current ownership documents to be titled here. | WAC 308-56A-115 |
One thing we could not confirm: the sources we read do not say what happens if you plan to get rid of the car within those 30 days instead of registering it. Do not guess. Call or visit a vehicle licensing office, explain the plan, and ask. Follow what they tell you.
Your options, honestly
Register it, then sell or keep it
This fits if the car still runs well or you may keep it a while. You will pay what is due, but the car is then simply a Washington car with Washington paperwork.
Sell it privately
DOL says a car can be sold with an out-of-state title. If the car has real value, this may bring more than scrapping it. See selling with an out-of-state title.
Donate it
A charity may accept it, depending on its own rules. See junk, sell or donate for how to compare.
Sell it as junk
If it is truly done, this is the clean way out. Whether we can take a car with an out-of-state title depends on the details, so call before you count on it.
How to decide without guessing
Work through these in order. Write the answers down.
- What does a mechanic say is wrong? Get a written diagnosis and quote if you do not already know. Our repair or junk guide shows how to weigh it.
- What is the car worth as it sits? See how to find your car’s value.
- What would registering it cost you? Ask a licensing office. Tax depends on your facts, so ask whether the exemption above fits you.
- Whose name is on the title? If it is not yours, read a car not in your name before anything else.
- Is there a lender? If a loan is on the title, the lender has to release it. See selling a car with a lien.
- Where is the car parked? That can decide how soon you need to act.
Where to keep it while you decide
A dead car on a public street can run into local rules quickly, so settle where it sits first.
- In Seattle, a vehicle cannot stay on the same block “for longer than 72 consecutive hours”, and you may not store inoperable vehicles as junk outdoors. The first penalty is $150, and additional violations are $500.
- In Bellevue, the city’s flyer says over 24 hours on the same street without moving could mean an impound.
- An expired registration of more than 45 days on a vehicle parked on a public street is a ground for impound under RCW 46.55.113.
- If you live in an apartment, check your lease and lot rules. Our apartment lot guide covers getting a car out of one.
Do not drive a car that is unsafe to get it somewhere better. Have it towed. Never leave it behind: RCW 46.55.105 makes the last registered owner prima facie liable for removal, storage and disposal costs.
Loose ends in your old state
Washington’s rules cannot tell you what your former state wants, and we did not research each state. Before you close things out, contact that state’s motor vehicle agency and ask:
- How do you want the plates handled when the car is sold or scrapped?
- Do you need a notice of sale from the seller?
- How do I replace a lost title?
- Must I tell you about my new address?
Keep your auto insurance in place until the car has actually left. Then call your insurer with the date.
If you would like us to look at it
We pick up from driveways, garages, apartment and condo lots, business lots and the street, and we use flatbed tow trucks, so the car does not need to run. Offers depend on year and model, condition, demand for parts, weight and size, and towing distance. Our non-running car page explains what happens with a car that will not start.
An out-of-state title needs a conversation first. Call us at (206) 941-0612 and tell us what you have, and we will tell you whether we can take it.
Common questions
Official sources
- Washington DOL: Moving to Washington, registration and plates
- Washington DOR: Vehicles brought from out of state
- RCW 46.16A.030: Registration requirement and penalties
- WAC 308-56A-115: Out-of-state ownership documents
- Washington DOL: Sell a vehicle
- Seattle DOT: 72-hour parking ordinance
- Seattle SDCI: Junk storage rules
- City of Bellevue: Parking rules
- RCW 46.55.113: Grounds for impound
- RCW 46.55.105: Last registered owner liability
- RCW 46.79.110: Towing your own vehicle to a wrecker or processor
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
- Two Names on the Title: “And” vs. “Or” in Washington
- Junking a Car During or After a Divorce in Washington
- Selling a Car for Someone Else With Power of Attorney
- Selling a Parent’s Car When They Stop Driving
- Name Misspelled or Changed on a Car Title in Washington
- Junking a Car Owned by a Business in Washington
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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