Purchase a transponder
Find out how to purchase a transponder for a commercial vehicle, which allows the vehicle to be electronically screened and enables the driver to bypass weigh stations.
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.
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