How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Oregon

You need to get a car registration renewal in Oregon every two years, as this registration allows the government to approve your vehicle for public roads. You can get your Oregon DMV registration renewal online, and this is the most popular method due to its convenience. However, you may choose to get your registration in person or via mail, if you prefer.

In this article, you will learn all that you need to know about DMV car registration renewal in Oregon: how much it costs, what forms you need to submit, what insurance you are required to have and the purpose of your renewal notification. As well, this article will guide you through the three different processes you can use to get your registration renewed.

Requirements for Car Registration Renewal in Oregon

Before you can pay your Oregon DMV registration renewal fees, you must have the proper level of automobile insurance. This is the same insurance required when you initially register, which means you need:

• Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Insurance.
• Personal Injury Protection.
• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Insurance.
• Underinsured Motorist Coverage.

Most cars will also need to get a DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) inspection, which is a type of vehicle emissions inspection intended to make sure all automobiles in Oregon meet environmental guidelines. Exceptions are given to vehicles with a model year that is 2016 or newer.

Leased car registration renewal requirements are the same, unless your name is not on the registration. In that case, the vehicle’s owner needs to give you power of attorney before you can renew.

What do you need to renew your car registration in Oregon?

To renew your registration, you need to have either a renewal notice or an Application for Registration, Renewal, Replacement or Transfer of Plates and/or Stickers. Acceptable forms of payment vary based on which renewal method you choose.

Oregon Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice

The Oregon DMV reminds you of your DMV registration renewal status shortly before your registration is set to expire. The notice that it sends contains your renewal access code, which is required to renew online, as well as other important registration information. Though you do not need this notice, it is designed to make the renewal process easier.

Oregon Car Registration Renewal Notice Lost or Not Received

If you lost your car registration renewal notice or never received one, you will need to contact the DMV in order to renew online. Alternately, you can renew in person or via mail.

To do so, you will need to submit the Application for Registration, Renewal, Replacement or Transfer of Plates and/or Stickers. This application will require you to submit information that is also on your renewal notice, such as your title and registration number.

This is not a lost car registration renewal form, but it will allow you to change the address that is on file with the DMV. That way, if the DMV is sending your renewal notice to the wrong address, you can ensure that you receive your notice at the right address for your next registration.

Oregon Car Registration Renewal Options

Understanding how to renew a car registration in Oregon means understanding the three different renewal methods. Each of these methods has its own advantages, with the online option allowing you to renew conveniently from home, and mail-in renewal allowing you to renew from home without a computer. The in-person renewal option allows you to work through any issues that could be preventing your application from being accepted.

How to Renew Your Car Registration Online

To renew a car registration online in Ohio, you will need to use the Oregon DMV’s online portal. The portal will ask you for your vehicle title and registration numbers, as well as a renewal access code. This information can be found on your renewal notice. You will then need to have proof of insurance. This means you must be able to provide your insurance policy number.

To pay for a vehicle registration renewal online, you can use either a debit or credit card. You will not be able to renew online if:

• The address on your vehicle renewal notice is different than your current mailing address.
• There are issues with your DEQ inspection. This could mean your vehicle failed the inspection or that the system incorrectly states that your vehicle needs an inspection.
• You need to renew an expired registration that is more than 75 days past its expiration date.

How to Renew Your Car Registration by Mail

To apply for your Oregon motor vehicle registration renewal via mail, you can send your renewal notice to the DMV. If you do not have the notice, you may also fill out an Application for Registration, Renewal, Replacement or Transfer of Plates and/or Stickers. This application requires you to submit the following information:

• Vehicle model year
• Vehicle weight
• Current registration information

You must also submit information about yourself and any co-owners or lessees.

If you renew your Oregon registration by mail, you can only pay the fees with a check or a money order. Mail the application and payment to the following address:

DMV Vehicle Mail
1905 Lana Ave NE
Salem, OR 97314

If your vehicle needs an inspection, you must get the inspection before submitting your mail-in renewal.

How to Renew Your Car Registration in Person

When deciding where to renew your car registration in person, you have two options. You can renew:

• At your DEQ emissions test location
• At a DMV office

In order to get your renewal at a DEQ location, you need to have your renewal notice. Motorists who own newer vehicles and do not need an emissions test will also not be able to use this method.

The process of renewing at a DMV office is similar to renewing by mail. You can bring a vehicle registration renewal notice or a filled-out Application for Registration, Renewal, Replacement or Transfer of Plates and/or Stickers. You will need to have proof of insurance. You can pay the renewal fees a debit card, a credit card, a check or cash.

Most Oregon car registration renewal offices are open Monday through Friday. Some offices have different operating hours, and they will sometimes close due to bad weather. Before you go to renew your car registration, you should call to make sure your local Oregon DMV office is open.

Military & Out of State Vehicle Registration Renewal in Oregon

Active service members need to renew their car registrations in Oregon using the same process available to civilians. You cannot drive with an expired vehicle registration, regardless of your military status, and active service members are encouraged to use the online renewal method if they are not currently in the state.

That said, you may apply for an exemption on your vehicle’s emissions inspection if you bought your vehicle while serving in the military outside the state. To qualify, you will need to submit the Declaration of Exemption from the Oregon Low Emission Vehicle Requirement. Disabled veterans or prisoners of war are not required to pay county registration fees, though they are still required to pay state registration fees.

Oregon Vehicle Registration Renewal Fees

The car registration renewal cost in Oregon is consistent regardless of the weight of your car. While the state registration fee remains the same for all passenger vehicles, some counties charge an extra fee.

• The state of Oregon charges $112 for a two-year vehicle registration.
• Washington County charges $30 for each year that the vehicle is registered, on top of the state registration fee.
• Multnomah County charges $19 for each year that the vehicle is registered, on top of the state registration fee.