(1) Any special fuel user operating a motor vehicle into this state for commercial purposes may make application for a trip permit that shall be good for a period of three consecutive days beginning and ending on the dates specified on the face of the permit issued, and only for the vehicle for which it is issued.

     (2) Every permit shall identify, as the department may require, the vehicle for which it is issued and shall be completed in its entirety, signed, and dated by the operator before operation of the vehicle on the public highways of this state. Correction of data on the permit such as dates, vehicle license number, or vehicle identification number invalidates the permit. A violation of, or a failure to comply with, this subsection is a gross misdemeanor.

     (3) For each permit issued, there shall be collected a filing fee of one dollar, an administrative fee of fifteen dollars, and an excise tax of nine dollars. Such fees and tax shall be in lieu of the special fuel tax otherwise assessable against the permit holder for importing and using special fuel in a motor vehicle on the public highways of this state, and no report of mileage shall be required with respect to such vehicle. Trip permits will not be issued if the applicant has outstanding fuel taxes, penalties, or interest owing to the state or has had a special fuel license revoked for cause and the cause has not been removed. Five dollars from every fifteen-dollar administration fee shall be deposited into the state patrol highway account and must be used for commercial motor vehicle inspections.

     (4) Blank permits may be obtained from field offices of the department of transportation, department of licensing, or other agents appointed by the department. The department may appoint county auditors or businesses as agents for the purpose of selling trip permits to the public. County auditors or businesses so appointed may retain the filing fee collected for each trip permit to defray expenses incurred in handling and selling the permits.

     (5) A surcharge of five dollars is imposed on the issuance of trip permits. The portion of the surcharge paid by motor carriers must be deposited in the motor vehicle fund for the purpose of supporting vehicle weigh stations, weigh-in-motion programs, and the commercial vehicle information systems and networks program. The remaining portion of the surcharge must be deposited in the motor vehicle fund for the purpose of supporting congestion relief programs. All other fees and excise taxes collected by the department for trip permits shall be credited and deposited in the same manner as the special fuel tax collected under this chapter and shall not be subject to exchange, refund, or credit.

[2007 c 515 § 25; 2007 c 419 § 17; 1999 c 270 § 2; 1998 c 176 § 62; 1983 c 78 § 1; 1979 c 40 § 6; 1973 1st ex.s. c 156 § 3; 1971 ex.s. c 175 § 11.]

NOTES:

     Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2007 c 419 § 17 and by 2007 c 515 § 25, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

     Severability -- Effective date -- 2007 c 515: See notes following RCW 82.36.010.

     Findings -- Short title -- 2007 c 419: See notes following RCW 46.16.004.