Washington § 4.92.180 - State, local governments not liable for injury to unauthorized third-party occupant of state or local government vehicle.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 4.92.180 — State, local governments not liable for injury to unauthorized third-party occupant of state or local government vehicle., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 4.92.180. State, local governments not liable for injury to unauthorized third-party occupant of state or local government vehicle.

(1) The state and local governments are not liable for any injury received by a third-party occupant of a vehicle that is owned, leased, or rented by the state or local government if, at the time the injuries were inflicted, the third-party occupant was:
(a) Riding in or on the vehicle with a state or local government employee who had explicitly acknowledged in writing the employer's policy on use of vehicles owned, leased, or rented by the state or local government; and
(b) Not specifically and expressly authorized by the state or local government to be an occupant of the vehicle.
(2) For purposes of this section, "third-party occupant" means a person who occupies a vehicle owned, leased, or rented by the state or local government and who is not an officer, employee, or agent of the state or local government. "Local government" includes any city, county, or other subdivision of the state and any municipal corporation, quasi-municipal corporation, or special district within the state.
[ 2011 c 82 s 2.]

Notes

Intent—2011 c 82: "The legislature intends to overrule the state supreme court's holding in Rahman v. State, No. 83428-8 (January 20, 2011), by modifying the application of the common law doctrine of respondeat superior." [ 2011 c 82 s 1.]
Application—2011 c 82: "This act applies to all causes of action accruing on or after July 22, 2011." [ 2011 c 82 s 4.]

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 4.92.180

What does Revised Code of Washington § 4.92.180 cover?

Section 4.92.180 ("State, local governments not liable for injury to unauthorized third-party occupant of state or local government vehicle.") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Washington § 4.92.180?

A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 4.92.180" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Washington law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Washington official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Washington attorney.

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