(1) The provisions of this chapter relating to registering vehicles by this state, including the display of license plates and registration certificates, do not apply to vehicles owned or leased by the governing body of an Indian tribe located within this state and recognized as a governmental entity by the United States department of the interior if:

(a) The vehicle is used exclusively in tribal government service;

(b) The vehicle has been registered under a law adopted by the tribal government;

(c) License plates issued by the tribe showing the initial or abbreviation of the name of the tribe are displayed on the vehicle as required in this state;

(d) The tribe has not elected to receive Washington state license plates for tribal government service vehicles as authorized in RCW 46.16A.170; and

(e) If required by the department, the tribe provides the department with vehicle description and ownership information similar to that required for vehicles registered in this state, which may include the model year, make, model series, body type, type of power, vehicle identification number, and the license plate number assigned to each government service vehicle registered by that tribe.

(2) This section applies only if the laws of the tribe:

(a) Allow similar exemptions and privileges to all vehicles registered under the laws of this state on all tribal roads within the tribe's reservation; and

(b) Do not require persons operating vehicles registered by this state to pay a registration fee or to carry or display license plates or a registration certificate issued by the tribe.

Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.