2011 Washington Code
Title 46 Motor vehicles
46.12 Certificates of title.
46.12.102 Release of owner from liability -- Requirements.

(1) An owner who has made a bona fide sale or transfer of a vehicle and has delivered possession of it to a purchaser shall not by reason of any of the provisions of this title be deemed the owner of the vehicle so as to be subject to civil liability or criminal liability for the operation of the vehicle thereafter by another person when the owner has also fulfilled both of the following requirements:

     (a) When the owner has made proper endorsement and delivery of the certificate of ownership and has delivered the certificate of registration as provided in this chapter;

     (b) When the owner has delivered to the department either a properly filed report of sale that includes all of the information required in RCW 46.12.101(1) and is delivered to the department within five days of the sale of the vehicle excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state and federal holidays, or appropriate documents for registration of the vehicle pursuant to the sale or transfer.

     (2) An owner who has made a bona fide sale or transfer of a vehicle, has delivered possession of it to a purchaser, and has fulfilled the requirements of subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section is relieved of liability and liability is transferred to the purchaser of the vehicle, for any traffic violation under this title, whether designated as a traffic infraction or classified as a criminal offense, that occurs after the date of the sale or transfer that is based on the vehicle's identification, including, but not limited to, parking infractions, high occupancy toll lane violations, and violations recorded by automated traffic safety cameras.

     (3) When a registered tow truck operator submits an abandoned vehicle report to the department for a vehicle sold at an abandoned vehicle auction, any previous owner is relieved of civil or criminal liability for the operation of the vehicle from the date of sale thereafter, and liability is transferred to the purchaser of the vehicle as listed on the abandoned vehicle report.

     (4) When a transferee had no knowledge of the filing of the vehicle report of sale, he or she is relieved of civil or criminal liability for the operation of the vehicle, and liability is transferred to the seller shown on the report of sale.

[2006 c 291 § 3; 2005 c 331 § 1; 2002 c 279 § 2; 1984 c 39 § 2.]