(1) The term "registration year" for the purposes of chapters 46.16, 82.44, and 82.50 RCW means the effective period of a vehicle license issued by the department. Such year commences at 12:01 a.m. on the date of the calendar year designated by the department and ends at 12:01 a.m. on the same date of the next succeeding calendar year.

     (a) If a vehicle license previously issued in this state has expired and is renewed with a different registered owner, a new registration year is deemed to commence upon the date the expired license is renewed in order that the renewed license be useable for a full twelve-month period.

     (b) A new registration year is deemed to commence upon the date the expired license is renewed in order that the renewed license be useable for a full twelve months when the registered owner:

     (i) Is a member of the United States armed forces;

     (ii) Was stationed outside of Washington under military orders during the prior vehicle registration year; and

     (iii) Provides the department a copy of the military orders.

     (2) Each registration year may be divided into twelve registration months. Each registration month commences on the day numerically corresponding to the day of the calendar month on which the registration year begins, and terminates on the numerically corresponding day of the next succeeding calendar month.

     (3) Where the term "last day of the month" is used in chapters 46.16, 82.44, and 82.50 RCW in lieu of a specified day of any calendar month it means the last day of such calendar month or months irrespective of the numerical designation of that day.

     (4) If the final day of a registration year or month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, such period extends through the end of the next business day.

[2009 c 159 § 1; 1992 c 222 § 1; 1983 c 27 § 1; 1981 c 214 § 1; 1975 1st ex.s. c 118 § 1.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 1975 1st ex.s. c 118: "This 1975 amendatory act shall take effect on January 1, 1977: PROVIDED, That the director of the department of motor vehicles may, prior to such effective date, undertake and perform duties and conduct activities necessary for the timely implementation of this 1975 amendatory act on such date." [1975 1st ex.s. c 118 § 19.]

     Severability -- 1975 1st ex.s. c 118: "If any provision of this 1975 amendatory act is declared unconstitutional, or the applicability thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the constitutionality of the remainder of this 1975 amendatory act and the applicability thereof to persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby." [1975 1st ex.s. c 118 § 18.]