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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    1

    Angry Ticket for Expired Tabs in Washington

    My question involves vehicle registration or title in the state of: WASHINGTON, City of Seattle.

    We are going through a cold freeze this past week and the battery in my primary car died. My secondary vehicle has sat around for 10 months as I waited to get the brakes fixed. The brakes were fixed this past weekend and not having driven it lately it needed tabs (Expired 2/08).

    Since my primary car was down for the count and I need transportation for work. I tried renewing online but it said that I had unpaid tickets (which I had paid) and was not allowed to renew online. I called the city and acquired proof of payment and had to go in person to the local DMV to clear up. no problem. I drove the unlicensed vehicle to the DMV (just 3 blocks away), finish all the paperwork necessary when I realize I don't have cash or my check book. Agent at the DMV says no problem; just come right back. She gives me a print out of a pending transaction with the date on it and says give us this paperwork when you return.

    What happens next? Just my luck. I get pulled over on my way to the ATM for expired tabs. i tried my best to explain the situation to the officer and give him the open pending transaction log from the DMV office. Of course he didn't care and gave me a $216 ticket for it. UGH.

    Now looking at the actual ticket the Violation/Statue Code says "SMC 11.22.080 C" when I look it up online (SEE HERE) the code is about License plates being displayed and says nothing about registration or tabs?? However in the "Vehicle Speed" section of the ticket he wrote "EXPTABS 12MO" and of course the tabs haven't been expired for 12 months yet. So this verb age confuses me.

    I believe I have a good case for contesting and the way the ticket is written seems that I got a shot at getting it dropped all together? Seeking insight.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Ticket for Expired Tabs in Washington

    I get pulled over on my way to the ATM for expired tabs. i tried my best to explain the situation to the officer and give him the open pending transaction log from the DMV office. Of course he didn't care and gave me a $216 ticket for it. UGH.
    He didn't care because you should have been told that the pending transaction is not equivalent to new tabs and does not validate your registration.

    Typically, this is disclosed online as a boldfaced type warning that your registration is still invalid until you affix the tabs to your plate, or in the DMV offices on one of the many signs/posters all over the place. It may also be printed on your receipt.

    You MIGHT be able to get it dismissed, but that's really going to depend on how merciful the judge is feeling.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Ticket for Expired Tabs in Washington

    The Cop gave you a brake, he could have charged you under state law. Instead he used Seattle Municipal code.

    RCW 46.16.010 says


    (2) Failure to make initial registration before operation on the highways of this state is a traffic infraction, and any person committing this infraction shall pay a penalty of five hundred twenty-nine dollars, no part of which may be suspended or deferred.



    (3) Failure to renew an expired registration before operation on the highways of this state is a traffic infraction.
    If you have had the car registered at one time in your name, the fine is not set in stone. The paper work and unlicensed you mention. Suggests your second car was bought by you but you had not completed transfer into your name. "EXPTABS 12MO" is further evidence to suggests you bought a car and waited until you needed it to get title and registration in your name. You got lucky if that is the case. If I'm right you might not want to fight this!

    Not legal advice...............................

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