Last night I got pulled over (again) for EXPIRED TABS — once again, no ticket after I explained

Tues, July 14, 2025

To: Our thousands of supporters throughout the state
(cc’d to the media, house & senate members, and Governor, and other candidates for office)

From: Tim Eyman
Fighting for taxpayers for 28 years

Yesterday evening I got pulled over.

With those red and blue lights flashing in my rearview mirror, I pulled into a parking lot.

The officer walked up to the window and blurted out:

“2019? Really?”

I couldn’t help but smile.

In my June 28th update, I wrote about this:

I haven’t renewed mine for 6 years.

And during those 6 years, I’ve driven 10’s of thousands of miles on highways and streets all over Washington.

And in all that time, I’ve only been pulled over 6-7 times.

And every time, after I explained I was engaging in a peaceful political protest, every officer chose to use their discretion and not ticket me.

Let’s never forget: despite being outspent $5 million to zero, the voters overwhelmingly passed a law in 2019 making certain vehicle taxes and fees illegal (the ones above $30). 

So when we refuse to pay those unlawful taxes and fees, I believe we’re actually following the law. 

But I’m not gonna sugarcoat it.

Not renewing is CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE.

But it’s important to know:

NOT RENEWING IS NOT A CRIME!

It’s not a moving violation (so there’s no impact on insurance).

It is the equivalent of a parking ticket. 

How much?

$145 if within 2 months, $237 if over 2 months. 

But that’s only if you’re pulled over and ticketed.

There are millions of vehicles in WA state and not that many law enforcement officers.

The chances are very slim you’ll get pulled over.

But if you’re one of the few who is, what do you say?

Same thing I’ve always say: “hello officer, it’s not that I forgot” (good to be honest). “For me, this is a peaceful political protest — the voters voted for $30 tabs and I just can’t bring myself to renew. It’s the principle of it. Officer, it’s up to you — I just ask you to please consider using your discretion and not give me a ticket me for this.”

As I’ve learned over and over and over again, many law enforcement officers recognize this injustice, know what’s going on, are sympathetic, and won’t ticket you. 

But what if they do issue you a ticket?

On the back, mark “contest it” and mail it in.

Several weeks later, you’ll get a letter giving you the option to do your appeal in writing. 

Write what you said to the officer and ask the judge to issue a warning.

Judges will either dismiss it or very often reduce it to court costs which are usually between $30 – $75 depending on the county.

To review:

1) Likelihood of getting pulled over? LOW
2) Likelihood you won’t be ticketed if you explain it’s a peaceful political protest? HIGH
3) Likelihood that if you are ticketed that the judge will dismiss it or knock it down to minor court costs? HIGH

To me, not renewing my tabs is a worthy political protest because it is peaceful, low risk, with minimal costs.

It’s up to you, but I ask everyone to consider joining the RESISTENCE!

ABUSE OF POWER — Bob Ferguson has spent more taxpayer money going after me and my family than all other cases in the last 13 years COMBINED! 

I really need your help to fight back. Please donate to the Tim Eyman Legal Defense Fund so Richard Sanders can get this ridiculously unconstitutional ruling overturned.

We can’t allow this insane legal precedent to stand. 

Mail your check to: 

Tim Eyman Legal Defense Fund
17404 Meridian Ave E #F PMB 176
Puyallup, WA, 98375

Or donate online:

By GiveSendGo (credit/debit card)
By Paypal (donate using PayPal or using a credit/debit card)

I love you all.

Onward!

Tim 

You can call or text me anytime: 509-991-5295

You can email me anytime: Tim@TimDefense.com

For more details, go to: TimDefense.com