Washington State Patrol
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District 5 · Frequently Asked QuestionsIf you do not find the answer you need, please check the State Patrol’s main FAQ page. If you still cannot find an answer, write to us at: District 5 Some questions may take ten business days to answer. What is the current seat belt law and when are they required?An officer who observes an individual driving a motor vehicle and not wearing their seat belt can stop the individual and take enforcement. For more information on child restraint and seat belt laws, see the Washington Seat Belt Laws on the main WSP FAQs page. What changes were made to the child restraint law?Infants are to ride in rear-facing infant seats until they are 1 years old or weigh 20 pounds. Children 1 to 4 years old or weighing 40 pounds are to ride in forward-facing child car seats. Washington law requires a child who is less than 8 years of age or 4'9" tall (which ever comes first) be properly restrained in a child booster seat when both lap and shoulder belts are available. For more information on child restraint and seat belt laws, see the Washington Seat Belt Laws on the main WSP FAQs page. Where do I get criminal history information?Download the criminal history background form and send in to the address listed on the form. Where do I get a concealed weapons permit?Contact a local county sheriff's office. The Washington State Patrol does not issue permits. Where do I get trip permits?Contact your local Department of Licensing. Where can I purchase permits?Ridgefield Port of Entry does not sell permits. Trucks entering Washington are required to have needed permits at the border. Truckers will need to plan ahead in purchasing permits before entering the state and facsimile services are available through the following facilities: Any Department of Transportation permit office, including Motor Carrier Services:
When are seat belts required?According to RCW 46.61.688, every person sixteen years of age or older operating or riding in a motor vehicle shall wear the safety belt assembly in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner. No person may operate a motor vehicle unless all child passengers under the age of sixteen years are either (a) wearing a safety belt assembly or (b) are securely fastened into an approved child restraint device. For more information on seat belt laws, see the Washington Seat Belt Laws on the main WSP FAQ page. Can I ride in the camper on the back of a truck?Yes, as long as all seat belts are in use-although no one under sixteen may ride in the back. Can I ride in a camper trailer?No. According to RCW 46.61.625, no person or persons shall occupy any trailer while it is being moved upon a public highway, except a person occupying a proper position for steering a trailer designed to be steered from a rear-end position. Can I tow another vehicle behind my travel trailer?No, according to RCW 46.44.036, it is unlawful for any person to operate upon the public highways of this state any combination of vehicles consisting of more than two vehicles. What are the requirements for me to tow a vehicle?According to RCW 46.44.070, the drawbar or other connection between vehicles in combination shall be of sufficient strength to hold the weight of the towed vehicle on any grade where operated. When a disabled vehicle is being towed by means of bar, chain, rope, cable, or similar means and the distance between the towed vehicle and the towing vehicle exceeds fifteen feet, there shall be fastened on such connection in approximately the center thereof a white flag or cloth not less than twelve inches square. What is the phone number for road and weather pass conditions?For Washington state road and travel conditions, you can dial 5-1-1 or our the DOT toll-free number at 1-800-695-7623. You can also go to the DOT travel conditions web page at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic. Who must stop at weight stations/scales?All vehicles or combination of vehicle and trailer over 16,000 pounds. When entering a freeway, who has the right of way?When a vehicle is entering the freeway, it must yield to vehicles already traveling on the freeway whether there is a yield sign present or not. Is it ok to continuously drive in the left lane?No, according to RCW 46.61.100. Upon all roadways having two or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction, all vehicles shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, except (a) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, (b) when traveling at a speed greater than the traffic flow, (c) when moving left to allow traffic to merge, or (d) when preparing for a left turn at an intersection, exit, or into a private road or driveway when such left turn is legally permitted. On any such roadway, a vehicle or combination over ten thousand pounds shall be driven only in the right-hand lane except under the conditions enumerated in (a) through (d) of this subsection. Can vehicles pulling trailers drive in the left lane?According to RCW 46.61.100, no vehicle towing a trailer or no vehicle or combination over ten thousand pounds may be driven in the left-hand lane of a limited access roadway having three or more lanes for traffic moving in one direction except when preparing for a left turn at an intersection, exit, or into a private road or driveway when a left turn is legally permitted. |
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