Where are you located?
Where can I get my emissions test done?
Can I pay for my registration with a credit card?
Do my tabs expire on the last day of the month shown on my license plate?
Can I legally drive on my tabs until the end of the expiration month?
If I don’t drive the vehicle, do I have to purchase current tabs?
When do my vessel tabs expire?
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Where are you located?
We are in the southwest corner of the Kmart shopping center on the corner of Washington Avenue and Meeker Street in downtown Kent.
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Where can I get my emissions test done?
There is an emissions testing center about ½ mile north of our offices on Washington Avenue, on the west side of the street. Please click on the Links part of this site for further emissions information.
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Can I pay for my registration with a credit card?
Yes and no. If you choose to renew your registration online through the Department of Licensing website (see Links) you can pay with your credit card and choose the option to pick up your new tabs and registration at our office. This is because you are paying the state directly. However, if you come in person to our subagency office, our subagency is limited to accepting payment by check or by cash.
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Do my tabs expire on the last day of the month shown on my license plate?
Most likely no. Some years ago, in order to alleviate the chronic long lines at offices which were occurring on the last few days of the month, the State Law was changed to provide a “day-to-day” licensing system. Most often your tabs expire at midnight one year to the day after the vehicle was first licensed in Washington. You need to check your registration certificate or renewal notice to determine the exact date your vehicle expires.
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Can I legally drive on my tabs until the end of the expiration month?
No. Your tabs expire on midnight of the date on the registration, and most law enforcement agencies now have computers in their vehicles to immediately check this date. If you are on public roads after that date, your vehicle registration has expired.
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If I don’t drive the vehicle, do I have to purchase current tabs?
That depends on the situation. If you use the roads, you need to purchase tabs. However, in certain circumstances, such as if the car is to be stored on your own personal property and not used at all during the licensing year, you may skip that year. It is important to note that the entire year must be skipped, and you can license the vehicle no earlier than one day after the licensing period expires. Further, if you have your vehicle on rented or leased property (such as in an apartment or condominium parking lot) you may be required by your landlord or lessor to keep your vehicle tabs current. A person can purchase their license tabs anytime, however, they are subject to full license tab fees even if the remaining period is of a short duration. Please feel free to contact us if you have further questions about this matter.
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When do my vessel tabs expire?
All vessels registrations in Washington expire at midnight on June 30 of the year licensed.
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