The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     (1) "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.

     (2) "Owner" means a person, business firm, or corporation who holds the legal title to a vehicle, or in the event a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale thereof 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 in the event a vehicle is subject to a lease, contract, or other legal arrangement vesting right of possession or control, for security or otherwise, or in the event a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then the owner shall be deemed to be such person in whom is vested right of possession or control.

     (3) "Properly registered," as applied to place of registration, means:

     (a) The jurisdiction where the person registering the vehicle has his or her legal residence; or

     (b) In the case of a commercial vehicle, the jurisdiction in which it is registered if the commercial enterprise in which such vehicle is used has a place of business therein, and, if the vehicle is most frequently dispatched, garaged, serviced, maintained, operated, or otherwise controlled in or from such place of business, and, the vehicle has been assigned to such place of business; or

     (c) In the case of a commercial vehicle, the jurisdiction where, because of an agreement or arrangement between two or more jurisdictions, or pursuant to a declaration, the vehicle has been registered as required by said jurisdiction.

     In case of doubt or dispute as to the proper place of registration of a vehicle, the department shall make the final determination, but in making such determination, may confer with departments of the other jurisdictions affected.

[2010 c 8 § 9100; 1987 c 244 § 9; 1985 c 173 § 2; 1982 c 227 § 18; 1981 c 222 § 1; 1963 c 106 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Effective dates -- 1987 c 244: See note following RCW 46.87.010.

     Effective date -- 1982 c 227: See note following RCW 19.09.100.