State guide — Washington
A person or firm engaged in buying and offering for sale, or buying and selling, five or more vehicles in a twelve-month period — or in any other way engaged in dealer activity without a vehicle dealer license — is guilty of a gross misdemeanor (RCW 46.70.021(3)(a)). RCW 46.70.115(3) separately defines "curbstoning" as buying and selling five or more vehicles, each less than thirty years old, in a twelve-month period without a license.
A person or firm engaged in buying and offering for sale, or buying and selling, five or more vehicles in a twelve-month period — or in any other way engaged in dealer activity without a vehicle dealer license — is guilty of a gross misdemeanor (RCW 46.70.021(3)(a)). RCW 46.70.115(3) separately defines "curbstoning" as buying and selling five or more vehicles, each less than thirty years old, in a twelve-month period without a license.
The count is only half the law. Whatever your number, three things turn a private seller into an unlicensed dealer in practice: buying vehicles mainly to resell them, advertising or holding yourself out as a seller, and selling vehicles that were never titled in your name. That last one — title jumping — is illegal on its own in nearly every state, at any count, and it is the violation unlicensed sellers are actually caught on.
Gross misdemeanor — fine of up to $5,000 for each violation and up to 364 days in jail; a second offense is a class C felony (RCW 46.70.021(3)). The director may also levy a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each curbstoning violation (RCW 46.70.115(2)). A violation is also a per se violation of the Consumer Protection Act.
Source: Wash. Rev. Code § 46.70.021 (license required; criminal penalty); § 46.70.115 (curbstoning defined; civil penalty) · Checked October 18, 2026. Verified against the primary state source during our build.
The legal way past the limit is a dealer license from Washington State Department of Licensing — Vehicle Dealers — start at the official source: Washington State Department of Licensing — Vehicle Dealers. Our deep path data currently covers Texas, Florida, California, New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, and Illinois; Washington's full path page rolls in as its requirement rows finish primary verification. The Dealer Playbook covers the eight deep states in full.
The Am I Legal? checker applies Washington's rule to your actual count, titling, and intent — in your browser, with nothing sent anywhere.
Up to 4 vehicles in a 12-month period, under the rule cited on this page. A person or firm engaged in buying and offering for sale, or buying and selling, five or more vehicles in a twelve-month period — or in any other way engaged in dealer activity without a vehicle dealer license — is guilty of a gross misdemeanor (RCW 46.70.021(3)(a)). RCW 46.70.115(3) separately defines "curbstoning" as buying and selling five or more vehicles, each less than thirty years old, in a twelve-month period without a license.
Gross misdemeanor — fine of up to $5,000 for each violation and up to 364 days in jail; a second offense is a class C felony (RCW 46.70.021(3)). The director may also levy a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each curbstoning violation (RCW 46.70.115(2)). A violation is also a per se violation of the Consumer Protection Act.
The rule is cited on this page to Wash. Rev. Code § 46.70.021 (license required; criminal penalty); § 46.70.115 (curbstoning defined; civil penalty). The licensing authority is Washington State Department of Licensing — Vehicle Dealers. Figures checked October 18, 2026.