WAC 480-15-560   Equipment safety requirements.  (1) All carriers must comply with all of the following requirements:

     (a) Maintain all vehicles in a safe and sanitary condition.

     (b) Maintain vehicles free of defects likely to result in an accident or breakdown.

     (c) Maintain vehicles consistent with the North American Uniform Out Of Service Criteria as adopted in WAC 480-15-999.

     (d) Make vehicles available for inspection by commission representatives at any time upon request.

     (2) A household goods carrier must display its permit name and number, as registered with the commission, on both the driver and passenger doors of all power units.

     (a) All markings on the power unit must be:

     (i) Clearly legible.

     (ii) No less than three inches high.

     (iii) In a color that contrasts with the background color.

     (iv) Permanent. Exception: Carriers may use temporary markings on vehicles operated under a lease.

     (b) Carriers with both intrastate and interstate authority must display either the commission permit number, federal permit number or both on the power unit.

     (3) Carriers must comply with all of the following requirements:

     (a) All state and local motor vehicle safety laws and rules including, but not limited to, those contained in this chapter.

     (b) The following parts of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR), as adopted by reference in this chapter on the date specified in WAC 480-15-999:

     (i) 49 CFR Part 390: Safety Regulations, General; except the following definitions will apply:

     (A) Exempt motor carrier: Any person operating a motor vehicle exempt from certain provisions of RCW Title 81 as defined in RCW 81.80.040.

     (B) Motor carrier: Any common carrier, exempt carrier and private carrier as defined in WAC 480-15-020.

     (C) Motor vehicle: Any vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer or semi-trailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power, or any combination of such vehicles, used on the public roads to transport household goods.

     (D) Private carrier: Persons who transport their own household goods, transport household goods bought or sold by them or transport household goods purely as an incidental adjunct to an established business.

     (E) Commercial motor vehicle: Any motor vehicle used by a household goods carrier to transport household goods, if either the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of ten thousand one pounds or more or if the gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight is ten thousand one pounds or more.

     (F) Director: The commission.

     (ii) 49 CFR Part 392: Driving of Commercial Motor Vehicles.

     (A) 49 CFR Part 393: Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation.

     (B) 49 CFR Part 396: Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance.

     (C) All motor vehicles must be equipped with mud flaps which effectively reduce the spray or splash of water from the road.

     (D) Mud flaps must be as wide as the tires on which they are mounted, and must extend from the top of the tires down to at least the center of the axle.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160, 81.04.250, 81.28.040, 81.80.120, 81.80.130 and 81.80.290. 08-02-049 (Docket TV-070466, General Order R-547), § 480-15-560, filed 12/27/07, effective 1/27/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160, 81.04.160, and 34.05.310. 01-20-061 (Docket No. A-010827, General Order No. R-491), § 480-15-560, filed 9/28/01, effective 10/29/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 81.04.160, 81.04.250, 81.28.040, 81.80.090, 81.80.120, 81.80.130, 81.80.290, 81.80.211, and 80.01.040. 00-14-010 (General Order No. R-471, Docket No. TV-991559), § 480-15-560, filed 6/27/00, effective 7/28/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 81.04.160 and 80.01.040. 99-01-077 (Order R-454, Docket No. TV-971477), § 480-15-560, filed 12/15/98, effective 1/15/99.]