Registration Application
All vehicles owned by a person in the state are subject to registration. Exceptions include but are not limited to: farm tractors, road rollers, trolleys, traction engines; bicycles; ATVs; a vehicle that is not operated on the highways; trailers equipped with pneumatic tires that are not operated with a loaded weight of more than 1,800 lbs.; implements of husbandry; vehicles currently registered and titled in another country, state, or territory, unless the owner is a resident of the state or the vehicle is operated on the highways of the state for profit; vehicles owned and operated by the U.S. government and emergency fire-fighting apparatus providing public fire protection.
An application for registration must contain: the owner’s name and residence or business address; a description of the vehicle, including the VIN; and a statement that the applicant is a resident of Oregon, domiciled in the state or required to register under Oregon law.
If the application is for original registration, the applicant must also include a statement that the applicant is in compliance with financial responsibility requirements.
Registration will not be renewed unless the owner is able to certify compliance with financial responsibility requirements.
An application for registration will not be granted unless the applicant simultaneously applies for, or has already been issued, title to the vehicle in Oregon.
Upon registration, the DMV issues a registration card which contains the name of the owner, the make and model year of the vehicle, the VIN, title brand(s) if applicable, and the mileage as reported on the odometer at the time of application for title, if required, along with any odometer message.
The owner of a registered vehicle must carry the registration card in the vehicle at all times.
There is not period of grace for late registration.
Registration for Non-Residents
Non-residents are exempt from both titling and registration requirements. A person becomes a resident when he or she engages in gainful employment or takes any action to indicate the acquiring of residency such as: remaining in the state for 6 months or more; placing children in a public school without paying nonresident tuition fees; maintaining a main office, branch or warehouse in the state and operating motor vehicles in this state; or making a declaration of residency for purposes of acquiring a state license.
A person who is gainfully employed but takes no further steps to become a resident, such as a student paying non-resident tuition fees, is not considered a resident.
The owner of a private motor vehicle who lives in an adjoining state is permitted to operate their vehicle in the state without having it registered in the state for so long as the vehicle is registered in an adjoining state.
Military personnel in active duty in Oregon may maintain out-of-state vehicle registration.
Registration Type
Vehicle registration may be 1 of 5 types:
- Quarterly registration (up to 4 calendar quarters): truck tractors, ambulances, armored cars, hearses, self-propelled cranes, commercial busses weighing 8,001 pounds or more; heavy motor vehicles including motor trucks, non-commercial buses, charitable non-profit vehicles weighing 10,001 pounds or more; manufactured structure toters and trucks registered as farm vehicles.
- Annual registration: for rent trailers (also can register for a 5-year period).
- Two year (biennial): campers; low speed; mopeds; motor homes; fixed loads; motorcycles; passenger; snowmobiles; trailers (light, special use, travel).
- Four-year initial registration: Certain new vehicles are required to be issued 4-year initial registration if it is a new vehicle (being titled with an MCO) and new plates are being issued at the same time. If a vehicle is subject to 4-year registration, the vehicle must have 4-year registration; there is no option to obtain only 2 years, except for vehicles owned by rental/leasing companies.
- Permanent registration: special interest; antique; disabled veteran; heavy trailer; government (until ownership changes); school bus.
Emissions Inspection
Vehicles from the 1975 model year and newer must be submitted for emissions inspection in the Portland Vehicle Inspection Area. In the Medford-Ashland Air Quality Maintenance Area, light duty vehicles that are up to 20 years old and heavy duty vehicles must be submitted for emissions inspection. Visit the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division for more information on the Department of Environmental Quality emissions testing program.
Motor vehicle pollution control systems in vehicles subject to emissions testing are required to be tested once during the period for which registration or renewal of registration for a motor vehicle is issued.
OBD is utilized as part of the state emissions inspection process.
Safety Inspection
No statewide periodic vehicle safety inspection requirement. A state police officer may require a person driving a vehicle or combination of vehicles to stop and submit the vehicle to an inspection of the mechanical condition and equipment of the vehicle.
Title and Registration Fees
AUTOMOBILE
Title Fee: $77.00
Registration Fee: $86.00 – 2 year; $172.00 – 4 year
MOTORCYCLE
Title Fee: $77.00
Registration Fee: $48.00 – 2 years; $96.00 – 4 years 16
DUPLICATES
Plate Fee: $22.00 for 1; $34.00 for 2
Registration Fee: $5.00
Driver License Fee: $26.50
Title Fee: $77.00
Special Plates: Same as plate fee + surcharge
The registration fee for vehicles with special registration is $15 for disabled veterans and former prisoners of war.