# RCW 46.96.020: RCW 46.96.020: Definitions > Washington · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S020 ## Section - **Citation:** RCW 46.96.020 - **Heading:** RCW 46.96.020: Definitions - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Code / Title 46 / Chapter 96 / Section 020 ## Text In addition to the definitions contained in RCW 46.70.011 , which are incorporated by reference into this chapter, the definitions set forth in this section apply only for the purposes of this chapter. (1) "Completed vehicle" means a vehicle that requires no further manufacturing operations to perform its intended function. (2) "Dealer management computer system" means a computer hardware and software system that is owned or leased by a new motor vehicle dealer, including the dealer's use of internet applications, software, or hardware, whether located at an existing dealership facility or provided at a remote location, that provides access to customer records and transactions by a motor vehicle dealer located in this state, and that allows the new motor vehicle dealer timely information in order to sell vehicles, parts, or services through the existing dealership facility. (3) "Dealer management computer system vendor" means a seller or reseller of dealer management computer systems, to the extent that the seller or reseller is engaged in such activities. (4) "Designated successor" means: (a) The spouse, biological or adopted child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, brother, or sister of the owner of a new motor vehicle dealership who, in the case of the owner's death, is entitled to inherit the ownership interest in the new motor vehicle dealership under the terms of the owner's will or similar document, and if there is no such will or similar document, then under applicable intestate laws; (b) A qualified person experienced in the business of a new motor vehicle dealer who has been nominated by the owner of a new motor vehicle dealership as the successor in a written, notarized, and witnessed instrument submitted to the manufacturer; or (c) In the case of an incapacitated owner of a new motor vehicle dealership, the person who has been appointed by a court as the legal representative of the incapacitated owner's property. (5) "Final-stage manufacturer" means a person who purchases an incomplete vehicle from a licensed motor vehicle dealer and performs such manufacturing operations that the incomplete vehicle becomes a completed vehicle. (6) "Franchise" means one or more agreements, whether oral or written, between a manufacturer and a new motor vehicle dealer, under which the new motor vehicle dealer is authorized to sell, service, and repair new motor vehicles, parts, and accessories under a common name, trade name, trademark, or service mark of the manufacturer. "Franchise" includes an oral or written contract and includes a dealer agreement, either expressed or implied, between a manufacturer and a new motor vehicle dealer that purports to fix the legal rights and liabilities between the parties and under which (a) the dealer is granted the right to purchase and resell motor vehicles manufactured, distributed, or imported by the manufacturer; (b) the dealer's business is associated with the trademark, trade name, commercial symbol, or advertisement designating the franchisor or the products distributed by the manufacturer; and (c) the dealer's business relies on the manufacturer for a continued supply of motor vehicles, parts, and accessories. (7) "Good faith" means honesty in fact and fair dealing in the trade as defined and interpreted in *RCW 62A.2-103 . (8) "Incomplete vehicle" means an assemblage consisting of, at a minimum, chassis (including the frame) structure, power train, steering system, suspension system, and braking system, in the state that those systems are to be part of the completed vehicle, but requires further manufacturing operations to become a completed vehicle. (9) A "new motor vehicle" is a vehicle that has not been titled by a state and ownership of which may be transferred on a manufacturer's statement of origin (MSO). "New motor vehicle" does not include recreational vehicles as defined in RCW 46.95.010 n the state that those systems are to be part of the completed vehicle, but requires further manufacturing operations to become a completed vehicle. (9) A "new motor vehicle" is a vehicle that has not been titled by a state and ownership of which may be transferred on a manufacturer's statement of origin (MSO). "New motor vehicle" does not include recreational vehicles as defined in RCW 46.95.010 . (10) "New motor vehicle dealer" means a motor vehicle dealer engaged in the business of buying, selling, exchanging, or otherwise dealing in new motor vehicles or new and used motor vehicles at an established place of business, under a franchise, sales and service agreement, or contract with the manufacturer of the new motor vehicles. However, "new motor vehicle dealer" does not include a miscellaneous vehicle dealer as defined in RCW 46.70.011 (17)(c) or a motorcycle dealer as defined in **chapter 46.94 RCW. (11) "Owner" means a person holding an ownership interest in the business entity operating as a new motor vehicle dealer and who is the designated dealer in the new motor vehicle franchise agreement. (12) "Person" means every natural person, partnership, corporation, association, trust, estate, or any other legal entity. (13) "Security breach" means an incident of unauthorized access to and acquisition of records or data containing new motor vehicle dealer or dealer customer information where unauthorized use of the dealer's customer or dealer information has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur or that creates a material risk of harm to the dealer or dealer's customer. Any incident of unauthorized access to and acquisition of records or data containing dealer or dealer customer information, or any incident of disclosure of dealer customer information to one or more third parties that has not been specifically authorized by the dealer or dealer's customer, constitutes a security breach. ## Nearby sections - [RCW 46.96.010 RCW 46.96.010: Legislative findings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S010.md) - [RCW 46.96.020 RCW 46.96.020: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S020.md) - [RCW 46.96.030 RCW 46.96.030: Termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of franchise restricted.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S030.md) - [RCW 46.96.035 RCW 46.96.035: Payment of fair market value of dealer goodwill upon request and termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of franchise.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S035.md) - [RCW 46.96.040 RCW 46.96.040: Determination of good cause, good faith—Petition, notice, decision, appeal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S040.md) - [RCW 46.96.050 RCW 46.96.050: Determination of good cause, good faith—Hearing, decision, procedures—Judicial review.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S050.md) - [RCW 46.96.060 RCW 46.96.060: Good cause, what constitutes—Burden of proof.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S060.md) - [RCW 46.96.070 RCW 46.96.070: Notice of termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S070.md) - [RCW 46.96.080 RCW 46.96.080: Payments by manufacturer to dealer for inventory, equipment, etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S080.md) - [RCW 46.96.090 RCW 46.96.090: Payments by manufacturer for dealership facilities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S090.md) - [RCW 46.96.095 RCW 46.96.095: Compensation by manufacturer for labor and parts required to perform recall repairs—Applicability to certain used vehicles—Reimbursement claims—Recovery of costs—Remedy, exclusive.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S095.md) - [RCW 46.96.100 RCW 46.96.100: Mitigation of damages.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S100.md) - [RCW 46.96.105 RCW 46.96.105: Warranty work.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S105.md) - [RCW 46.96.110 RCW 46.96.110: Designated successor to franchise ownership.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S110.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S020. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.