Terms used in this chapter have the meaning given to them in the International Registration Plan (IRP), in chapter 46.04 RCW, or as otherwise defined in this section. Definitions given to terms by the IRP prevail unless given a different meaning in this chapter or in rules adopted under authority of this chapter.

     (1) "Apportionable vehicle" has the meaning given by the IRP, except that it does not include vehicles with a declared gross weight of twelve thousand pounds or less. Apportionable vehicles include trucks, tractors, truck tractors, road tractors, and buses, each as separate and licensable vehicles.

     (2) "Cab card" is a certificate of registration issued for a vehicle upon which is disclosed the jurisdictions and registered gross weights in such jurisdictions for which the vehicle is registered.

     (3) "Credentials" means cab cards, apportioned plates (for Washington-based fleets), and validation tabs issued for proportionally registered vehicles.

     (4) "Declared combined gross weight" means the total unladen weight of any combination of vehicles plus the weight of the maximum load to be carried on the combination of vehicles as set by the registrant in the application pursuant to chapter 46.44 RCW and for which registration fees have been or are to be paid.

     (5) "Declared gross weight" means the total unladen weight of any vehicle plus the weight of the maximum load to be carried on the vehicle as set by the registrant in the application pursuant to chapter 46.44 RCW and for which registration fees have been or are to be paid. In the case of a bus, auto stage, or a passenger-carrying for hire vehicle with a seating capacity of more than six, the declared gross weight shall be determined by multiplying the average load factor of one hundred and fifty pounds by the number of seats in the vehicle, including the driver's seat, and add this amount to the unladen weight of the vehicle. If the resultant gross weight is not listed in RCW 46.16.070, it will be increased to the next higher gross weight so listed pursuant to chapter 46.44 RCW.

     (6) "Department" means the department of licensing.

     (7) "Fleet" means one or more apportionable vehicles in the IRP.

     (8) "In-jurisdiction miles" means the total miles accumulated in a jurisdiction during the preceding year by vehicles of the fleet while they were a part of the fleet.

     (9) "IRP" means the International Registration Plan.

     (10) "Jurisdiction" means and includes a state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a foreign country, and a state or province of a foreign country.

     (11) "Motor carrier" means an entity engaged in the transportation of goods or persons. The term includes a for-hire motor carrier, private motor carrier, contract motor carrier, or exempt motor carrier. The term includes a registrant licensed under this chapter, a motor vehicle lessor, and a motor vehicle lessee.

     (12) "Owner" means a person or business firm who holds the legal title to a vehicle, or if a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for its conditional sale with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee, or if a vehicle is subject to a lease, contract, or other legal arrangement vesting right of possession or control, for security or otherwise, or if a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then the owner is deemed to be the person or business firm in whom is vested right of possession or control.

     (13) "Preceding year" means the period of twelve consecutive months immediately before July 1st of the year immediately before the commencement of the registration or license year for which apportioned registration is sought.

     (14) "Prorate percentage" is the factor that is applied to the total proratable fees and taxes to determine the apportionable or prorate fees required for registration in a particular jurisdiction. It is determined by dividing the in-jurisdiction miles for a particular jurisdiction by the total miles. This term is synonymous with the term "mileage percentage."

     (15) "Registrant" means a person, business firm, or corporation in whose name or names a vehicle or fleet of vehicles is registered.

     (16) "Registration year" means the twelve-month period during which the registration plates issued by the base jurisdiction are valid according to the laws of the base jurisdiction.

     (17) "Total miles" means the total number of miles accumulated in all jurisdictions during the preceding year by all vehicles of the fleet while they were a part of the fleet. Mileage accumulated by vehicles of the fleet that did not engage in interstate operations is not included in the fleet miles.

[2005 c 194 § 2; 2003 c 85 § 1; 1997 c 183 § 2; 1994 c 262 § 12; 1993 c 307 § 12; 1991 c 163 § 4; 1990 c 42 § 111; 1987 c 244 § 16; 1985 c 380 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Purpose -- Headings -- Severability -- Effective dates -- Application -- Implementation -- 1990 c 42: See notes following RCW 82.36.025.

     Effective dates -- 1987 c 244: See note following RCW 46.12.020.