Frequently Asked Questions

We Are Here to Help - Search Our FAQs

Navigate

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there times I won’t be allowed to renew registration?
You may not be allowed to renew car registration depending on the method you chose to go about renewing and the circumstances of your particular situation. The Oregon DMV allows you to renew your car registration online, by mail, in person at the DMV, or at a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) emissions testing center. You cannot renew via the online portal if you must make changes other than a change of address or if you are changing license plates. Furthermore, you cannot apply for a car registration renewal if you fail an emissions test.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Oregon

Can somebody else renew my registration for me?
If you are applying by mail, in person, or at a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) testing facility, then the person to whom the car is registered must appear to sign the Application for Registration, Renewal, Replacement or Transfer of Plates And/or Stickers. Someone else may renew your registration for you if done online. A PIN number is provided on your car registration renewal notice to be used to access the online registration renewal portal.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Oregon

Do boats need to be registered?
The Oregon DMV does not register boats. If the combined weight of the boat and trailer is more than 1,800 pounds, then you must register the boat. The Oregon State Marine Board handles boat titles and registrations. You will need to provide the boat s original Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) to register your boat. The costs associated with registering a boat in Oregon include a title fee and a registration fee.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Oregon

Do I need to file a police report if my registration was lost or stolen?
You may wish to contact local law enforcement to report a stolen or lost car registration replacement due to theft. You can protect yourself from unlawful use of your car registration information if you also report your lost or stolen car registration to the DMV. As an added precaution, Oregon law allows you to black out the address shown on your vehicle registration card to protect your personal information in cases of theft. You can apply for a new registration by mail or in person at your local DMV office.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Oregon

Do I need to return my license plate if I move out of the state?
It is not a requirement that you return your Oregon license plates if you move out of state, although the Oregon DMV encourages that you return them. Once you have DMV car registration in your new state, you may mail your Oregon plates to the DMV. Returning your old plates discourages fraudulent use of them and also allows the state to recycle the old plates.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Oregon

Do I need to turn in my damaged registration?
If your car registration was damaged and you need a replacement, you should destroy your current registration. You do not need to turn in you damaged registration to the DMV, though. To apply for a duplicate registration card you must:
  • Fill out an Application for Registration,Renewal, Replacement or Transfer of plates and/or Stickers
  • Pay the $5 replacement fee
  • Drop it off at your local DMV office or mail it to:

DMV Headquarters

1905 Lana Ave NE

Salem, Oregon 97314

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Oregon

Does a motorized scooter need to be registered?
Yes, drivers need to apply for DMV car registration for motorized scooters or mopeds in Oregon. To register your moped you must:
  • Fill out an Application for Title and Registration
  • Get a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) if your vehicle is required to have one
  • Obtain a proof of compliance for a brand new or imported moped
  • Pay all applicable title and registration fees

The fee for a new registration is $77. Prices subject to change.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Oregon

Does my vehicle qualify for a smog inspection?
Statewide, there are no vehicle emissions testing requirements to get a car registration in Oregon. Only vehicles in the Salem and Medford Metro areas must pass Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) emissions test. The testing requirements are as follows:
  • In the Portland area, vehicles from 1975 or newer must be tested
  • In the Medford area, vehicles 20 years old or newer must be tested
  • In both Portland and Medford areas, diesel fuel vehicles 8,500 pounds or less must be tested

Some vehicles are exempt from these testing standards. Contact your local DMV office for more information or call the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) at 971-673-1630 for an exemption form.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Oregon

How can I renew my vehicle registration?
You can renew your Oregon vehicle registration either online or by mail. Around 45 to 60 days prior to your car registration expiring, a renewal notice will be sent to your mailing address on file. This notice also serves as a renewal application. It will contain a unique PIN number that you will need when applying for car registration renewal online. To renew car registration online:
  • Your registration must not have expired or not have been expired for more than 75 days in order to.
  • Your vehicle must not require or has already passed vehicle emissions standards.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Oregon

How can I transfer my registration to another state?
If you would like to transfer your car registration from Oregon to that of another state, you must follow that particular state s guidelines for a new registration. Be aware that there may be a variety of fees that you are responsible for when you register your vehicle in another state. Contact the local DMV in the state you are moving to for more information on the documentation required to register your car.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Oregon

How do I apply for a disabled person parking placard or plates?
A person with a disability is defined by the Oregon DMV as a person having limited mobility, vision impairment, or a condition which prevents them from walking more than 200 feet without assistance. These persons may qualify for a disabled person parking permit when getting a car registration. To apply for a disabled person parking permit one must:
  • Have an Oregon driver s license.
  • Fill out the Parking Permit for an Individual with a Disability form with a physician’s signature.
  • Depending on the type of handicap permit (temporary, renewal or non-parking ID card) that is needed, you will either submit the application materials in person or mail them to the Oregon DMV at:

DMV Driver Issuance Unit

1905 Lana Ave NE

Salem , OR 97314

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Oregon

How do I file a police report if my car registration was stolen?
To report a stolen car registration, you may file a police report at the nearest police station. If your car registration information was stolen, you may be protected from unlawful use of your vehicle and personal information. Make sure you have your driver s license with you when you appear to file a police report. As an added precaution, Oregon law allows you to black out the address shown on your vehicle registration card to protect your personal information in cases of theft.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Oregon

How do I obtain a duplicate car registration?
If your Oregon car registration was lost, stolen or destroyed, then you may apply for a car registration replacement. To apply for a duplicate registration card you must:

DMV Headquarters

1905 Lana Ave NE

Salem, Oregon 97314

Your duplicate registration card will be mailed to you.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Oregon

How do I obtain car registration?
If you purchased your vehicle from an Oregon car dealer, he or she will manage your car registration details. If you bought a used vehicle, follow the steps below:
  • Go to your DMV office.
  • Fill out an Application for Title and Registration.
  • Provide the original Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO).
  • Comply with Low Emission Vehicle standards.
  • Provide the odometer reading.
  • Prove release of vehicle from the previous owner.
  • Pay car title, car registration and license plate fees.

You may submit these materials to your local DMV where you could be eligible to receive your plates or stickers at the time of application. You can also mail the documents to the DMV Headquarters.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Oregon

If I do not renew on time, will there be an additional fee?
There is no additional fee for not renewing your vehicle registration on time. However, neglecting to renew your reservation within 75 days of the expiration date will prevent you from renewing your car registration online. You must apply to renew car registration by mail or in person if it has been expired for more than 75 days.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Oregon

Is there a different process I must follow if I lost personalized plates?
If your personalized plates have been lost, stolen, or damaged and you need to replace them, then you must follow the process for applying for replacement plates. Oregon custom license plates incur an extra fee for replacement. The fee is $5 at the time of your car registration renewal or $10 if you need to replace license plates in between renewals. Fees are subject to change. Contact your local DMV office for more information on custom plate fees.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Oregon

Should I carry the registration on me or in the car?
If stopped by a law enforcement official, you will be asked to provide your driver s license and car registration. It is recommended that you keep your car registration card inside the vehicle at all times. Your Oregon driver s license should be kept on your person for personal identification purposes.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Oregon

What are the most common reasons why I would need to replace my registration?
The most common reason to replace car registration would be if your card was lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed. To apply for a duplicate registration card, you must:
  • Fill out an Application for Registration,Renewal, Replacement or Transfer of plates and/or Stickers.
  • Pay the $5 vehicle registration replacement fee.
  • Drop it off at your local DMV office or mail it to:

DMV Headquarters

1905 Lana Ave NE

Salem, Oregon 97314

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Oregon

What are the required fees for my vehicle registration?
There are various fees associated with an Oregon DMV car registration. You must pay a car title, car registration, and a license plate fee. The schedule of fees are as follows:
  • Regular car title fee: $77
  • New passenger vehicle registration fee, good for 4 years: $172
  • License plate fee:$12 per plate

Fees vary depending on vehicle weight, class and other factors. For a full schedule of fees, contact the Oregon DMV.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Oregon

What are the required fees to get replacement registration?
To get a duplicate car registration from the Oregon DMV, you will have to pay the $5 car registration replacement card fee. You can apply for a replacement registration in person or by mail. You may pay with a check or money order via mail. DMV office locations only accept cash or checks. Fees are subject to change.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Oregon

What are the required fees to renew my registration?
To renew your vehicle registration you must pay an $86 car registration renewal fee, residents of Multnomah county must pay an extra fee of $19 each year. This car auto registration renewal is valid for a two-year period. There are also fees associated with getting new license plates which is not required to renew your vehicle registration. All fees are subject to change without notice.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Oregon

What documents do I need to present to get a replacement car registration?
To get a car registration copy, you can either apply by mail or in person at your local Oregon DMV office. The document that you need to submit is the Application for Registration,Renewal, Replacement or Transfer of plates and/or Stickers. Along with the form, you must pay the $5 replacement fee. The DMV does not accept credit or debit card transactions. You may pay with a check or money order via mail. DMV office locations only accept cash or checks.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Oregon

What documents do I need to present to get new registration?
The documents needed to get a car registration in Oregon are:

Along with the above required documents, you must also be in compliance with emissions standards and provide the odometer reading at the time of sale. The submission of these documents also implies that you meet the insurance requirements for the state of Oregon.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Oregon

What documents do I need to present to renew my car registration?
The state of Oregon allows for car registration renewal online, by mail, in person, or at a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) testing center. To renew in person, bring your renewal notice along with your Declaration of Exemption form, if applicable. Only cars registered in the metropolitan area in which vehicle emissions are required can renew their vehicle registration at a DEQ test center.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Oregon

What should I do if I have not received my registration tags or stickers?
If you have applied for a car registration renewal online or by mail and not received your stickers within two weeks, contact the Oregon DMV office at 503-945-5000, or 503-299-9999 if you live in the Portland area. You do not need to cancel your check, the DMV will check on the status of the transaction for you.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Oregon

When does my car registration expire?
Your Oregon car registration expires four years from the date that it was originally issued. Your car registration renewal is good for two years. The fee to renew your Oregon car registration is $86. Multnomah County residents are charged an extra $38 to receive two-year car registration renewal. You may apply for renewals online, but not if your car registration has been expired for more than 75 days.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Oregon

Where can I find a local tax county collector office?
The Oregon DMV handles all car registration and title transactions including car registration replacements. You may apply for a replacement car registration by mail or in person at the DMV. To expedite your service at the DMV, you may print a form from the website, complete and sign it before you get to an office location. There is a DMV office in your area to serve you. You can contact them at 503-945-5000.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Oregon

Will I need to fill out an application to replace my car registration?
Yes, you have to submit an application to obtain a car registration copy. The document that you need to submit is the Application for Registration, Renewal, Replacement or Transfer of plates and/or Stickers. Along with that you must pay the $5 replacement fee. The DMV does not accept credit or debit card transactions. You may pay with a check or money order via mail. DMV office locations only accept cash or checks.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Oregon

Will I receive a renewal registration notice in the mail?
Yes, you will receive a car registration renewal reminder in the mail from the Oregon DMV 45 to 60 days prior to your vehicle s registration expiration date. The notices are mailed to the mailing address on file. This renewing car registration notice also serves as a renewal application. Printed inside will be a unique PIN number that will be needed to apply for renewal online. Bring it with you to renew in person at your local DMV office.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Oregon

Will my registration expire on my birthday or birth month?
In Oregon, your car registration expiration date is not according to your birthday or birth month. Your new car registration expires four years from the date that it was issued. Your car registration renewal is good for two years from the date that it was issued. You will be mailed a car registration renewal notice 45 to 60 days before your registration expires. The notice serves as your application for renewal. Take it with you to the DMV or to a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) emissions testing center.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Oregon