Title 59, Oregon Vehicle Code

(1) ORS chapters 801 to 826 may be cited as the Oregon Vehicle Code. (2) ORS 809.600 to 809.640 may be cited as the Habitual Traffic Offenders Act. (3) ORS 813.095, 813.100, 813.131, 813.132, 813.140, 813.150, 813.310, 813.320 and 813.410 to 813.440 may be cited as the Motorist I…

The names given offenses in the vehicle code do not establish or limit the elements of the offense described but are merely for the convenience of the readers of the vehicle code and of the persons administering and enforcing the vehicle code. [1983 c.338 §2]

This section contains statements of purpose or intent that are applicable to portions of the vehicle code as described in the following: (1) The provisions of the vehicle code and other statutory provisions described in this subsection are an exercise of the police powers of this…

(1) Persons, motor vehicles and equipment employed or used by a public or telecommunications utility, electric cooperative or by the United States, this state or any political subdivision of this state are exempt from the provisions of the vehicle code specified in subsection (3)…

This section describes exemptions from specific changes to the vehicle code. The exemptions allow some practice or right to continue after the change is made. The exemptions are as follows: (1) Nothing contained in ORS 810.150 shall require the redesign, modification or replaceme…

A city, county or other local government may not enact or enforce any charter provision, ordinance, resolution or other provision regulating the use of cellular telephones in motor vehicles. [2001 c.133 §1] Note: 801.038 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was no…

This section describes circumstances where special provisions are made concerning the authority of cities, counties or other political subdivisions in relation to some portion of the vehicle code. This section is not the only section of the vehicle code that applies to such autho…

The following apply to the authority granted to counties by ORS 801.040 to establish registration fees for vehicles: (1) An ordinance establishing registration fees under this section must be enacted by the county imposing the registration fee and filed with the Department of Tra…

(1) Before the governing body of a district can impose a registration fee under this section, it must submit the proposal to the electors of the district for their approval and, if the proposal is approved, enter into an intergovernmental agreement under ORS 190.010 with the gove…

Moneys required by the Department of Transportation to establish a system for the initial implementation of the collection and distribution of additional registration fees authorized by chapter 864, Oregon Laws 1989, shall be taken from the moneys that would otherwise be distribu…

(1) A county ordinance that imposes a vehicle registration fee under ORS 801.041 is not required to provide for payment of at least 40 percent of moneys from the registration fee to cities within the county if the county: (a) Has a population of 650,000 or more; and (b) Uses the …

Nothing in the provisions of the vehicle code described in this section shall prevent the owner of real property used by the public for purposes of vehicular travel by permission of the owner and not as a matter of right from prohibiting such use, or from requiring different or a…

Subject to compliance with the motor vehicle law of this state, owners and operators of motor vehicles are granted the privilege of using the highways of this state. [1983 c.338 §10; 1985 c.16 §8]

(1) References in the vehicle code to weights and measures refer to United States Standards thereof. (2) For purposes of the vehicle code, the weights of vehicles, combinations of vehicles, parts of vehicles, wheels or axles shall be determined by the use of methods, procedures a…

Except where the context requires otherwise, the definitions given in the vehicle code govern its construction. [1983 c.338 §12]

“Alley” means a street or highway primarily intended to provide access to the rear or side of lots or buildings in urban areas and not intended for through vehicular traffic. [1983 c.338 §14]

“Ambulance” means any privately or publicly owned motor vehicle that is regularly provided or offered to be provided for the emergency transportation of persons who are ill or injured or who have disabilities. [1983 c.338 §15; 2007 c.70 §320]

“Ambulatory disability” means a disability because of which a person: (1) Has a physical and permanent disability to such a degree that the person is unable to move from place to place without the aid of a wheelchair; (2) Is not able to cross curbs because of paralysis or loss of…

“Antique vehicle” means a vehicle that is older than one-half the number of years between the current year and 1900 and that is maintained as a collector’s item. [1983 c.338 §17; 2003 c.122 §1]

“Arterial” or “arterial highway” means a highway that is used primarily by through traffic. [1997 c.404 §2]

“Assembled vehicle” means a vehicle: (1) With a body that does not resemble any particular year model or make of vehicle; (2) That is not a vehicle rebuilt by a manufacturer; (3) That is not a vehicle built in a factory where the year model and make are assigned at the factory; a…

”Autocycle” means a motorcycle that: (1) Is manufactured to travel on three wheels; (2) Has nonstraddle seating; and (3) Is equipped with a manufacturer-installed three-point safety belt or safety harness. [2017 c.296 §2; 2021 c.630 §125]

“Axle” means any structure or structures, whether in one or more segments, of any vehicle, supported by wheels and on which the wheels rotate, so spaced longitudinally that the centers thereof are included between two vertical parallel transverse planes 40 inches apart. [1983 c.3…

“Balance trailer” means every trailer, other than a self-supporting trailer, pole trailer or semitrailer, designed so that its weight and that of its load is substantially balanced upon its axle or axles and so that it couples to the towing vehicle with a device other than a fift…

“Bicycle” means a vehicle that: (1) Is designed to be operated on the ground on wheels; (2) Has a seat or saddle for use of the rider; (3) Is designed to travel with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground; (4) Is propelled exclusively by human power; (5) Has every …

“Bicycle lane” means that part of the highway, adjacent to the roadway, designated by official signs or markings for use by persons riding bicycles except as otherwise specifically provided by law. A bicycle lane exists in an intersection if the bicycle lane is marked on opposite…

“Bicycle path” means a public way, not part of a highway, that is designated by official signs or markings for use by persons riding bicycles except as otherwise specifically provided by law. [1983 c.338 §24]

“Biometric data” means measurements of the physical characteristics of an individual’s face that can be used to authenticate the identity of an individual. [2005 c.775 §2]

“Bus trailer” means any trailer designed or used for carrying human beings. [1983 c.338 §25]

“Business district” means the territory contiguous to a highway when 50 percent or more of the frontage thereon for a distance of 600 feet or more on one side, or 300 feet or more on both sides, is occupied by buildings used for business. [1983 c.338 §26]

(1) “Canceled,” with reference to vehicle registration or title, means that the registration or title is declared void and terminated and new registration or title may be obtained only as permitted by law. (2) “Cancellation” with reference to driving privileges or identification …

“Camper” means a structure that: (1) Has a floor; (2) Is designed to be mounted upon a motor vehicle; (3) Is not permanently attached to a motor vehicle upon which it is mounted; (4) Is designed to provide facilities for human habitation or for camping; (5) Is six feet or more in…

“Certificate of sale” means a document that contains the name and address of the purchaser and seller of a motor vehicle or component part, the date of sale, the consideration paid and a description of the vehicle or part and other essential elements of a sale of a motor vehicle …

“Certificate of title” means a paper document issued by any jurisdiction specifically as evidence of vehicle ownership. A certificate of title is not necessarily the only evidence of vehicle ownership issued by a jurisdiction. [1983 c.338 §29; 1985 c.16 §11; 1987 c.217 §1; 1989 c…

“Circulatory roadway” means the portion of a highway within a roundabout that is used by vehicles to travel counterclockwise around a central island. A circulatory roadway does not have a crosswalk. [2001 c.464 §3]

“Class I all-terrain vehicle” means a motorized, off-highway recreational vehicle that: (1) Is 50 inches or less in width; (2) Has a dry weight of 1,200 pounds or less; (3) Travels on three or more tires designed for off-road use only; (4) Uses handlebars for steering; (5) Has a …

“Class II all-terrain vehicle” means any motor vehicle that: (1) Weighs more than or is wider than a Class I all-terrain vehicle; (2) Is designed for or capable of cross-country travel on or immediately over land, water, sand, snow, ice, marsh, swampland or other natural terrain;…

(1) “Class III all-terrain vehicle” means a motorcycle that travels on two tires and that is actually being operated off highway. (2) “Class IV all-terrain vehicle” means any motorized vehicle that: (a) Travels on four or more tires designed for off-road use only; (b) Is designed…

“Collector” or “collector highway” means a highway that serves primarily to funnel traffic from one local highway to another or between arterials and local highways. [1997 c.404 §3]

“Combination of vehicles” means two or more vehicles coupled together. [Formerly 801.195]

“Combined weight” means the total empty weight of all vehicles in a combination plus the total weight of the load carried on that combination of vehicles. [Formerly 801.196]

“Commercial bus” means every motor vehicle designed or used for carrying passengers and their personal baggage and express for compensation, except: (1) Taxicabs that: (a) Are passenger vehicles with a passenger seating capacity that does not exceed five; (b) Carry passengers for…

“Commercial bus trailer” means a bus trailer: (1) That is designed or used for carrying passengers and their personal baggage for compensation. (2) Other than a vehicle commonly known and used as a private passenger vehicle not operated for compensation except in the transportati…

(1) “Commercial driver license” means a driver license issued by this state or any other jurisdiction that authorizes its holder to drive a commercial motor vehicle if the holder also has any necessary endorsements to the license. (2) “Commercial driving privileges” means the dri…

(1) “Commercial motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles and one or more vehicles that: (a) Has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater, inclusive of one or more towed units, with a …

“Commercial vehicle” means a vehicle that: (1) Is used for the transportation of persons for compensation or profit; or (2) Is designed or used primarily for the transportation of property. [1983 c.338 §34]

“Commission” means the Oregon Transportation Commission. [1983 c.338 §35]

“Converter dolly” means an auxiliary axle assembly equipped with a fifth wheel hitch and used to convert a semitrailer to a full trailer. [1991 c.284 §2]

“Crosswalk” means any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere that is distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface of the roadway that conform in design to the standards established for crosswalks under ORS 810.200. Whenever …

“Department” means the Department of Transportation. [1983 c.338 §37]