| Passenger Vehicles |
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| Overview |
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This page provides information about passenger vehicles.
Use the links below to go directly to any section:
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| Passenger Vehicle Definition |
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Passenger vehicle registration is generally issued for a motor vehicle when:
- Its design and main use is to transport persons, and
- Its registration* weight is 10,000 pounds or less, and
- It is not required by Oregon law to be registered as another type of vehicle, or prohibited from being registered, and
- It meets federal standards for highway use.
Heavier passenger vehicles:
- Pickups or SUVs that are 10,000 pounds or less registration* weight usually also qualify for passenger registration, however, those that are over 10,000 pounds must register as a heavy motor vehicle (T plates), and if a passenger-plated vehicle's registration* weight temporarily exceeds 10,000 pounds, it may qualify for operation with a Registration Weight Trip Permit.
- It is illegal for a passenger-plated vehicle to pull a heavy trailer, or to operate at a registration* weight over 10,000 pounds, unless it is operating under the appropriate trip permit.
* DMV registration weight is the total empty weight of all vehicles in a combination, plus the total weight of the load carried on that combination of vehicles, not including the weight of these trailing vehicles:
- Campers
- Fixed Loads
- Light Trailers (loaded weight of 8,000 pounds or less)
- Manufactured Structures
- Special Use Trailers
- Towed Motor Vehicles
- Travel Trailers
Examples of vehicles that cannot have a passenger vehicle registration include:
- Low-Speed Vehicles, as they are not manufactured to meet passenger vehicle standards so there is a separate registration category for low-speed vehicles.
- Medium-Speed Electric Vehicles, as they are not currently manufactured to meet passenger vehicle standards. Although there is a registration category for medium-speed electric vehicles, they may not be registered unless they meet passenger vehicle standards according to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for Light (Passenger) Vehicles 49 CFR, Part 571 per OAR 737-010-0020.
- Trucks that are pulling Heavy Trailers, unless the truck is operating under the appropriate permit.
- All Terain Vehicles (ATVs).
- Motorcycles, even if they have three wheels and an enclosed cab that looks like a "car."
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| Title & Registration |
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To Apply
Fees
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| License Plates |
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The standard issue license plates for a passenger vehicle are the Tree plates. However, passenger vehicles may also be issued Custom (Personalized) plates, Higher Education plates, Non-Profit plates, Special Interest plates or Veteran & Military Service-Related plates. Regardless of the plate type, two plates are issued and are required to be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle.
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| Related Information |
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