Chapter 803 — Chapter 803
137 sections in this chapter.
ORS 803.200 Residency; criteria; exception; camper on vehicle. This section establishes when the exemptions under ORS 803.030 and 803.305 from titling and registration of vehicles owned by nonresidents are applicable. The applicability of the described exemptions for nonresident owners of vehicles is subject to all of the following
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(1) A person is a resident of this state for purposes of titling and registering vehicles if the person engages in any gainful employment in this state or takes any action to indicate the acquiring of residence in this state during the period of sojourn in this state by doing any…
ORS 803.203 Proof of payment of taxes. (1) A person that purchases a taxable motor vehicle from a seller that is not subject to the privilege tax imposed under ORS 320.405 may not register or title the taxable motor vehicle in Oregon unless the person provides proof that
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(a) The person paid the use tax imposed under ORS 320.410; (b) The person is not required to pay the use tax for the reasons provided in ORS 320.410 (4); or (c) The taxable motor vehicle was purchased and titled by a car rental company as defined in ORS 803.219 using an electroni…
ORS 803.205 Proof of ownership or security interest on transfer or application for title or registration; affidavit. (1) The Department of Transportation may require proof under this section if the department determines the proof is necessary to resolve questions concerning vehicle ownership or undisclosed security interests in the transfer of any vehicle under ORS 803.092, in an application for issuance of title under ORS 803.045 or in an application for registration of a vehicle under ORS 803.350
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(2) Under this section, the department may require any proof sufficient to satisfy the department concerning the questions about the ownership of the vehicle or security interests in the vehicle. The proof required by the department may include, but is not limited to, completion …
ORS 803.206 (1) As used in this section, “electronic signature” has the meaning given that term in ORS 84.004
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(2) Subject to rules adopted by the Department of Transportation under this section, entities may submit documents electronically to the department necessary to: (a) Issue or transfer title for a vehicle in paper or electronic form; (b) Register a vehicle or transfer registration…
ORS 803.207 Expedited titling and registration; fee. (1) The Department of Transportation by rule may establish procedures for providing expedited services related to the titling and registration of vehicles when such services are needed because of problems related to odometer disclosure requirements. This authority is in addition to the department’s authority to provide expedited services for other reasons on an individual case basis
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(2) The department may charge a fee of not more than $10 for providing expedited services authorized by this section. [1991 c.873 §5]
ORS 803.210 Conditions precedent to issuance of title for certain vehicles. (1) The Department of Transportation shall not issue title for a vehicle described in subsection (2) of this section unless
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(a) An inspection of the vehicle identification number or numbers of the vehicle is performed in accordance with ORS 803.212; and (b) The fee established under ORS 803.215 is paid to the department for the inspection. (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the …
ORS 803.212 Inspection of vehicle identification numbers; product identification numbers; rules. (1) The Department of Transportation, or persons or agencies authorized to do so by the department, shall conduct a physical inspection of the vehicle identification number or numbers of each vehicle located in this state and required by ORS 803.210 to be inspected. The department may designate certified dealers and law enforcement agencies, by rule, to perform the inspection and may enter into agreements with the Oregon State Police or other law enforcement agencies of this state to perform inspections for compensation. The inspection shall determine whether the vehicle identification number or numbers match those on the records of the department, on the title or primary ownership record or contained in other information received by the department
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(2) If a vehicle that is required by ORS 803.210 to be inspected is located in another jurisdiction, the department may designate a person or agency in such jurisdiction to perform the physical inspection and may waive the inspection fee. (3) Except as provided in subsection (4) …
ORS 803.215 Fee for inspection. A fee of $9 shall be charged for an inspection of a vehicle required by ORS 803.210. [1983 c.338 §201; 1985 c.736 §1; 1987 c.146 §6; 1987 c.790 §2; 2003 c.618 §47; 2023 c.232 §3]
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[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 803.217 Transfer of title and registration for vehicles abandoned by tenant; rules. The Department of Transportation shall adopt rules to provide for the transference of a certificate of title and registration for titled vehicles and recreational vehicles that are abandoned by a tenant as defined in ORS 90.100. [1997 c.577 §43; 2003 c.655 §108]
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[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 803.219 Limitation on car rental fees. (1) As used in this section
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(a) “Car rental company” means a person whose primary business is renting motor vehicles to consumers under rental agreements for periods of 90 days or less. (b) “Motor vehicle” has the meaning given that term in ORS 801.360. (2) A car rental company may not impose in a rental ag…
ORS 803.220 Notification to department of name or address change; rules; requirements; procedure; exception; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of unlawful failure to notify the Department of Transportation of a name or address change if the person
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(a) Has any interest in a vehicle registered or titled by this state that is shown on the title; (b) Changes names, by marriage or otherwise, from that shown on the title or changes the person’s address from that shown on the registration; and (c) Does not comply with the require…
ORS 803.225 Failure to designate replica, reconstructed, assembled or specially constructed vehicle in title or registration application; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to designate a replica or a reconstructed, assembled or specially constructed vehicle if the person makes application for the titling or registration of a vehicle that is a replica or a reconstructed, assembled or specially constructed vehicle and that fact is not indicated in the application
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(2) The offense described in this section, failure to designate a replica, reconstructed, assembled or specially constructed vehicle in application for title or registration, is a Class B misdemeanor. [1983 c.338 §203; 1985 c.393 §4; 1985 c.402 §10; 1993 c.233 §47]
ORS 803.230 Forging, altering or unlawfully producing or using title or registration; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of forging, altering or unlawfully producing or using vehicle titles or registration if the person does any of the following
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(a) Alters or forges or causes to be altered or forged any certificate of title, certificate of registration or assignment thereof issued by the Department of Transportation. (b) Holds or uses certificate of title, certificate of registration or assignment thereof issued by the d…
ORS 803.300 Failure to register; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to register a vehicle if the person owns a vehicle in this state and the person does not register the vehicle in this state
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(2) In addition to other persons subject to this section, this section applies to out-of-state corporations owning, operating or maintaining a place of business in this state with regard to vehicles that are used by the corporation doing business in this state. (3) Exemptions fro…
ORS 803.305 Exemptions from general registration requirements. This section establishes exemptions from the requirements under ORS 803.300. The exemptions under this section are in addition to any exemptions under ORS 801.026. Vehicles exempted by this section from the requirements to be registered by this state are not prohibited from being registered by this state if registration is permitted under ORS 803.310. The following are exempt, either partially or completely as described, from the registration requirements under ORS 803.300
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(1) Road rollers, farm tractors, trolleys and traction engines are exempt from registration. (2) Bicycles are exempt from registration. (3) A vehicle is exempt from registration if it has registration issued for the vehicle by the Armed Forces of the United States where the regis…
ORS 803.310 Optional registration; rules. (1) The Department of Transportation, by rule, may provide for optional registration of vehicles that are exempt from vehicle registration requirements by ORS 803.305. The rules adopted for purposes of this subsection may provide for the registration of categories of vehicles, types of vehicles or otherwise. Upon request of an owner, the department may issue registration for a vehicle that meets the requirements of rules adopted under this section
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(2) A vehicle that is registered under this section is subject to the same provisions, conditions, fees and other requirements for registration as are other vehicles under the vehicle code. [1985 c.333 §6]
ORS 803.315 Failure to pay registration fee; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to pay the appropriate registration fee if the person operates any vehicle or transports any camper that is registered in this state unless the proper fee, as established under ORS 803.420, has been paid for registration of the vehicle
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(2) The offense described in this section, failure to pay appropriate registration fee, is a Class D traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §207; 1985 c.16 §76; 1995 c.383 §38; 2003 c.655 §110]
ORS 803.320 Permitting unlawful operation of unregistered vehicle; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of permitting unlawful operation of an unregistered vehicle if the person authorizes or knowingly permits a motor vehicle that is owned by the person or under the person’s control and that is not registered as required under the vehicle code or ORS chapter 826 to be driven by any person
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(2) The offense described in this section, permitting unlawful operation of unregistered vehicle, is a Class D traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §208; 1991 c.407 §23; 1995 c.383 §5]
ORS 803.325 Purchase and use of out-of-state registered vehicle; requirements; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of purchase and use of an out-of-state registered vehicle by a resident if the person is a resident of this state and the person purchases a vehicle registered outside of this state without doing all of the following
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(a) Upon purchase, the person shall remove the registration plates and shall cause the vehicle to be registered as provided under the vehicle code or under ORS chapter 826, as appropriate, for vehicles owned by residents of this state. (b) The person shall not use, within this st…
ORS 803.350 Qualifications for registration; fee; rules. This section establishes the requirements for qualification for registration. The Department of Transportation may not issue registration to a vehicle if the requirements under this section are not met. The department, in the absence of just cause for refusing to register a vehicle upon application, shall assign a distinctive number or other distinctive means of identification and shall issue registration for a vehicle if all of the following requirements are met
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(1) The applicant applies for and is granted title in the applicant’s name at the same time the person makes application for registration, or presents satisfactory evidence that title covering the vehicle has been previously issued to the applicant. (2) The applicant completes an…
ORS 803.355 “Domicile” described. For purposes of ORS 803.350 to 803.370 and 807.045, a person is domiciled in this state if the person’s place of abode is in the state and the person intends to remain in the state or, if absent, to return to it. [1985 c.305 §7; 1989 c.636 §15]
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[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 803.360 Domicile requirements for registration; exceptions. (1) A person may not register or renew the registration of a vehicle in this state unless the person is domiciled in this state, as described in ORS 803.355. This section does not apply to persons required by ORS 803.200 or any other provision of law, to register vehicles in this state
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a person who is not domiciled in this state may register or renew the registration of a vehicle that: (a) Is usually left within the state when the registered owner is absent from the state; (b) Is used primarily for personal tr…
ORS 803.370 Contents of application; rules. This section establishes requirements for an application for vehicle registration in this state. If an applicant fails to comply with requirements under this section, the Department of Transportation may refuse to register or reregister a vehicle until the applicant complies with the requirements. An application shall contain all of the following
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(1) The true name and, except as provided for corrections officers in ORS 802.253, eligible employees in ORS 802.250 or Address Confidentiality Program participants in ORS 192.846, the actual residence or business address of the owner. The department may provide by rule for accep…
ORS 803.375 False application prohibited; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of false application for vehicle registration if the person does any of the following
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(a) Knowingly makes any false statement or representation with respect to any facts required to be set forth in any application for registration. (b) Uses a name other than the person’s true name in any application for registration. (2) The penalty for submitting a false odometer…
ORS 803.380 Failure to surrender out-of-state registration; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to surrender out-of-state registration, if the person registers a vehicle in this state that has been registered in another jurisdiction and the person does not surrender to the Department of Transportation all number plates, seals, certificates of registration or other evidences of the former registration in possession or control of the applicant
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(2) The offense described in this section, failure to surrender out-of-state registration, is a Class D traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §213; 1985 c.16 §81; 1991 c.407 §25; 1995 c.733 §84]
ORS 803.385 False swearing relating to registration; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of false swearing relating to registration of vehicles if the person knowingly makes any false affidavit or knowingly swears or affirms falsely to any matter or thing relating to the registering of vehicles under the vehicle code or under ORS chapter 826
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(2) The penalty for submitting a false odometer reading in an application for registration is as provided under ORS 815.430. (3) The offense described in this section, false swearing relating to registration of vehicles, is a Class A misdemeanor. [1983 c.338 §214; 1985 c.251 §20;…
ORS 803.400 Duration of registration periods. This section establishes and distinguishes registration periods. Each registration period determines the period of validity for vehicle registration. Registration under the following registration periods is valid during the described registration period
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(1)(a) Annual registration is valid for a one-year period. Except as provided in this subsection, the period starts on the first day of a calendar month and runs through the last day of the same calendar month one year later. Once a vehicle is registered under annual registration…
ORS 803.405 Effect of initial registration month. (1) The month in which any vehicle is initially registered under annual registration is the month established as the beginning and ending of registration periods for the vehicle unless the Department of Transportation adjusts the registration month of the vehicle upon initial registration under ORS 803.410
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(2) The day on which any vehicle is initially registered under biennial registration or when required under ORS 820.520 is the day established as the beginning and ending of registration periods for the vehicle unless the department adjusts the registration period of the vehicle …
ORS 803.410 Department authorized to adjust periods and fees; rules. The Department of Transportation is empowered to administer ORS 803.400 and 803.405, relating to the registration periods of vehicles and to adopt and enforce rules, including rules for the adjustment or proration of fees and registration periods, necessary to accomplish the enforcement of those sections. The authority granted the department under this section is subject to the following
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(1) The department may initially register a vehicle that is subject to biennial registration for less than a 24-month period or for more than a 24-month period, not exceeding a maximum of a 30-month period, and prorate the fee on a monthly basis, when in its opinion such fraction…
ORS 803.415 Registration periods for vehicles. This section establishes registration periods for vehicles. The registration periods are periods described under ORS 803.400. Except as provided in the following, the registration period for any vehicle registered in this state by the Department of Transportation is a biennial registration period
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(1) The following vehicles have permanent registration: (a) Antique vehicles registered under ORS 805.010. (b) Vehicles of special interest registered under ORS 805.020. (c) Trailers that will be operated on the highways at a loaded weight of more than 8,000 pounds and are not tr…
ORS 803.417 Registration period for Oregon National Guard member or military reservist. (1) Notwithstanding ORS 803.400 and 803.415, the registration of a vehicle registered in the name of a person who is a member of the Oregon National Guard or a military reservist ordered on active duty and deployed to a location outside the United States that expires while the person is on active duty shall remain valid for 90 days following the termination of active duty
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(2) The court shall dismiss the charge of failure to renew vehicle registration under ORS 803.455 if, when charged, a member of the Oregon National Guard or a military reservist had a valid registration for the vehicle pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. [2005 c.257 §3] N…
ORS 803.420 Registration fees. (1) The vehicle registration fees imposed under this section shall be based on the classifications determined by the Department of Transportation by rule. The department may classify a vehicle to ensure that registration fees for the vehicle are the same as for other vehicles the department determines to be comparable
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(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, or unless the vehicle is registered quarterly, the fees described in this section are for an entire registration period for the vehicle as described under ORS 803.415. For a vehicle registered for a quarterly registration period u…
ORS 803.422 Registration fees based on miles per gallon. (1) As used in this section, “miles per gallon” or “MPG” means the distance traveled in a vehicle powered by one gallon of fuel
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(2) The Department of Transportation shall determine the combined MPG ratings for each motor vehicle pursuant to a method determined by the department. (3) Except as provided in ORS 319.890 (3), in addition to the registration fees prescribed under ORS 803.420 (6)(a), there shall…
ORS 803.425 Vehicle length for fee determination. The following are the measurement points of the described vehicles for the purposes of determining registration fees under ORS 803.420
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(1) Special use trailers and travel trailers are measured from the foremost point of the trailer hitch to the rear extremity of the trailer body not including the spare tire, but including all ordinary equipment or appliances appropriate to the type of body such as stakes, curtai…
ORS 803.430 Certain vehicles required to establish registration weight for fee determination. (1) Registration weight is established for the following purposes
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(a) The registration weight is the weight used in the declaration of weight under ORS 803.435 to determine the registration fees under ORS 803.420 for vehicles required to establish registration weight under this section. (b) A vehicle that is required to establish registration w…
ORS 803.435 Declaration of weight for fee determination; contents. A declaration of weight required for purposes of complying with ORS 803.440 and for purposes of determining vehicle registration fees under ORS 803.420 shall contain the following
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(1) For vehicles required to establish a registration weight under ORS 803.430, the declaration shall contain the registration weight. (2) For buses, the declaration shall contain the unloaded weight of the vehicle plus the unloaded weight of any bus trailer to be used in combina…
ORS 803.440 Failure to submit declaration of weight; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to submit a declaration of weight if the person does not submit a declaration of weight for a vehicle described in this subsection when the person applies for registration of the vehicle or has the vehicle registered in the person’s name and the vehicle has been altered or reconstructed. This section applies to the following vehicles
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(a) Any vehicle required to establish registration weight under ORS 803.430. (b) Any commercial bus. (c) Any vehicle registered as a farm vehicle under ORS 805.300. (d) Any vehicle registered under the proportional registration provisions of ORS 826.009 or 826.011. (2) The offens…
ORS 803.445 Authority of counties and districts to impose registration fees; rules; maximum amount. (1) The governing body of a county may impose registration fees for vehicles as provided in ORS 801.041
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(2) The governing body of a district may impose registration fees for vehicles as provided in ORS 801.042. (3) The Department of Transportation shall provide by rule for the administration of laws authorizing county and district registration fees and for the collection of those f…
ORS 803.450 Notice of pending expiration; exceptions; effect of failure to receive; records. (1) The Department of Transportation shall notify the registered owner of a vehicle registered by this state of the approaching expiration of the vehicle’s registration. The notice required by this subsection shall comply with all of the following
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(a) The notice shall be mailed to the owner of the vehicle at the postal address shown in department records. Upon request of the registered owner the department may provide notice by electronic mail or other means. (b) The notice shall be provided a reasonable time before expira…
ORS 803.455 Failure to renew; fee; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to renew vehicle registration if the registration period for a vehicle registered in the person’s name expires and the person does not pay the fee required for renewal of registration
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(2) This section does not apply if the vehicle is no longer required or qualified to be registered in this state when the registration period expires. (3) The fee required to be paid for renewal of registration under this section is the same fee that is required for registration …
ORS 803.460 Proof of compliance with financial responsibility requirements; rules. The Department of Transportation shall not renew the registration of a motor vehicle unless one of the following occurs
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(1) The owner of the vehicle provides proof of compliance with financial responsibility requirements for the vehicle and certifies that the owner will remain in compliance with the requirements for the term of the registration or until the vehicle is sold. This subsection does no…
ORS 803.465 Proof of compliance with pollution control equipment requirements. The Department of Transportation shall not issue renewal of registration unless the department receives proof of compliance with pollution control equipment requirements under ORS 815.310. This section is not applicable to vehicles exempt from the requirements of this section by ORS 815.300 or to vehicles registered under the provisions of ORS 805.045 or 805.060. [1983 c.338 §236; 1985 c.16 §90; 1987 c.440 §4; 1989 c.22 §2]
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[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 803.470 [1983 c.338 §237; 1985 c.174 §3; repealed by 1991 c.459 §438L]
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[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 803.473 Effect of unpaid registration fees on issuance of duplicate or replacement certificate of title. On and after September 29, 1991, the Department of Transportation shall not refuse to renew registration, transfer the certificate of title or issue a duplicate or replacement certificate of title for a camper or travel trailer solely on the grounds that prior to September 29, 1991, the owner of the camper or travel trailer owed unpaid registration fees to the department. [1991 c.459 §438m]
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Note: 803.473 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 803 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
ORS 803.475 [1985 c.251 §22; 1991 c.873 §16; repealed by 1993 c.751 §106]
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[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 803.478 Donation to Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veterans Suicide Prevention and Outreach Program. (1) A person that applies for the renewal of vehicle registration online may make a contribution of $1 or more to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veterans Suicide Prevention and Outreach Program at the time the online application for renewal of vehicle registration is made
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(2) The vehicle registration renewal website and online application form must state that the owner has the option of making a contribution to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veterans Suicide Prevention and Outreach Program. (3) Moneys contributed to the Oregon Departme…
ORS 803.500 Registration card; contents. The Department of Transportation shall furnish for each vehicle and camper registered by the department, a registration card that shows all of the following information
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(1) The name of the registered owner. (2) The make. (3) The year model. (4) The vehicle identification number as denoted by the title issued for the vehicle or camper. (5) The mileage of the vehicle as reported to the department at the time the most recent title transfer was repo…
ORS 803.505 Failure to carry registration card; penalty. (1) The owner of a vehicle that is registered in this state commits the offense of failure to carry a registration card if the owner does not place and keep the card in or on the vehicle in a manner that makes it readily available for police inspection upon request
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(2) The following apply to the offense described in this section: (a) The owner of a commercial vehicle is not in violation of this section if a photocopy of the card is used. (b) In the case of a camper, the owner shall keep the registration card in the transporting vehicle. (c)…
ORS 803.510 Duplicate or replacement; fee. The Department of Transportation may issue a duplicate or replacement registration card when
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(1) The department receives an application indicating the loss, mutilation or destruction of a registration card; and (2) The fee for issuance of a duplicate or replacement card established under ORS 803.575 is paid to the department. [1983 c.338 §256; 1985 c.174 §4; 1985 c.253 §…
ORS 803.520 Issuance; fees. The Department of Transportation shall issue and deliver to the owner registration plates according to the following
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(1) Registration plates shall be issued upon filing of application for registration and payment of the appropriate registration and registration plate fees unless the department has just cause for refusing to register a vehicle or unless otherwise provided in this section. (2) If…