West · Vehicle-title lending · State statute guide
Title loan laws in Washington
Not in classic form. Washington holds small-dollar credit to a 36% APR ceiling, so title-loan pricing as marketed in other states cannot be licensed here.
Are title loans legal in Washington?
Not in classic form. Washington holds small-dollar credit to a 36% APR ceiling, so title-loan pricing as marketed in other states cannot be licensed here.
Statute: RCW 31.45.073
A title loan is secured by your vehicle, so legality is only half the question — the other half is what the statute lets the lender do with the lien if you fall behind. In this state, a lender holding your title at payday-style rates holds an unenforceable claim.
What a title loan really costs
Washington's cap: 36% APR + fee cap. On a secured loan of $1,000 that is roughly $250 in fees for one month. Installment structures spread the cost but multiply the months — read the total of payments, not the monthly figure.
Repossession: when the lender can take the car
No licensed repossession process exists here, because no title loan can be legally made. If a lender threatens to take your car over an illegal loan, that threat is itself reportable to the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions.
Who regulates title lending in Washington?
Washington State Department of Financial Institutions licenses title lenders and takes complaints — the license lookup and complaint desk are at dfi.wa.gov.
Repossession rules in Washington
Where title lending is licensed, repossession follows the commercial-code baseline that every secured lender must run: a genuine default, written notice and a chance to cure, a commercially reasonable sale of the vehicle, and any surplus above the debt returned to the borrower. Washington's notice periods and licensing enforcement run through the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (dfi.wa.gov) — the same office that takes title-lender complaints.
Because no classic title lender is licensed in Washington, a repossession threat tied to a "title loan" here points at an unlicensed lender — document it and report it.
Last verified September 6, 2026 · Statute: RCW 31.45.073 · Source: Washington State Department of Financial Institutions · Not legal advice — confirm with the regulator.
Questions about Washington title loan laws
What is the maximum title loan amount in Washington?
There is no lawful title-loan amount in Washington — the product is not licensed above the 36% rate ceiling.
Can the lender repossess my car in Washington?
A lender holding your title from an illegal loan has no lawful claim in Washington — and reporting the lender is the correct response to a repossession threat.
How much does a title loan cost in Washington?
The statutory cap: 36% APR + fee cap. Compare the total of payments, not the monthly rate — a 25% monthly fee is about 300% APR on a single-payment note.
Are online title loans legal in Washington?
No lawful online title loan exists for Washington residents — any offer is unlicensed, and the loan's lien can be challenged.
Where do I report an illegal title lender in Washington?
To the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (dfi.wa.gov). Bring the title agreement and payment history; if the lender is unlicensed, also notify the Washington Attorney General and the CFPB.
What are the repossession laws in Washington?
Secured-lending repossession everywhere follows the same baseline: a genuine default, written notice with a chance to cure, a commercially reasonable sale, and any surplus above the debt returned to the borrower. Washington's notice periods and licensing enforcement run through the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. Since no classic title lender is licensed here, a repossession threat tied to a title loan is itself reportable.