Purchase a transponder

Transponder benefits

Commercial vehicle drivers or carriers with a gross vehicle weight of 16,000 or more can purchase a transponder to be electronically screened as the commercial vehicle approaches a weigh station. The e-screening allows safe and legal carriers to bypass weight stations after checking the legal weight, safety rating and registration information.

Requirements

Transponders must be registered to a VIN with the commercial vehicle information used for electronic screening coming from the registration/cab card.

• The commercial vehicle registration/cab card must be current.
• An active USDOT number must be provided (Carrier Responsible for Safety).
• All required taxes and fees must be paid.

Purchasing a transponder

To obtain an application:

• Download an application (PDF 128KB).
• Email TransponderAdmin@wsdot.wa.gov to request a faxed, mailed, or emailed application.
• Call Transponder Administration at 888-877-8567 to ask for a faxed, mailed or emailed application.

Mail in an application with a check:

• Complete the application.
• You can use one application to purchase multiple transponders mailed to the same address.
• Send a check or money order to WSDOT for the total cost of the transponder(s) purchased.
• (Optional) Register the transponder(s) by including a copy of the registration/cab card for each commercial vehicle.
• We are unable to accept credit cards or any form of electronic payment.

Once your application is received, we mail out transponders within a couple of business days. Typically, you should receive the transponder(s) in the mail within 5-7 business days of the check clearing. Registered transponders will have a license plate sticker on the side. Applications without registration/cab cards will have transponders mailed unassigned.

Price

We charge a one-time $35 fee per transponder.

• When you receive the transponder, it belongs to you. You own the transponder.
• There are no additional fees for using a transponder in Washington.

Battery life

• Transponders have a 3 to 5-year average battery life (depending on use).
• Transponders do not have replaceable batteries.
• Once the transponder stops working, you will need to purchase a new transponder.
• Do not return non-working transponders purchased from us to WSDOT.
• Follow your regional guidelines for lithium ion batteries when disposing a transponder.