RCW 46.16.022
Exemptions -- Vehicles owned by Indian tribes -- Conditions. (Effective until July 1, 2011. Recodified as RCW 46.16A.175.)

(1) The provisions of this chapter relating to licensing of vehicles by this state, including the display of vehicle license number plates and license registration certificates, do not apply to vehicles owned or leased by the governing body of an Indian tribe located within this state and recognized as a governmental entity by the United States department of the interior, only when:

     (a) The vehicle is used exclusively in tribal government service; and

     (b) The vehicle has been licensed and registered under a law adopted by such tribal government; and

     (c) Vehicle license number plates issued by the tribe showing the initial or abbreviation of the name of the tribe are displayed on the vehicle substantially as provided therefor in this state; and

     (d) The tribe has not elected to receive any Washington state license plates for tribal government service vehicles pursuant to RCW 46.16.020; and

     (e) If required by the department, the tribe provides the department with vehicle description and ownership information similar to that required for vehicles registered in this state, which may include the model year, make, model series, body type, type of power (gasoline, diesel, or other), VIN, and the license plate number assigned to each government service vehicle licensed by that tribe.

     (2) The provisions of this section are operative as to a vehicle owned or leased by an Indian tribe located within this state and used exclusively in tribal government service only to the extent that under the laws of the tribe like exemptions and privileges are granted to all vehicles duly licensed under the laws of this state for operation of such vehicles on all tribal roads within the tribe's reservation. If under the laws of the tribe, persons operating vehicles licensed by this state are required to pay a license or registration fee or to carry or display vehicle license number plates or a registration certificate issued by the tribe, the tribal government shall comply with the provisions of this state's laws relating to the licensing and registration of vehicles operating on the highways of this state.

[1986 c 30 § 2.]