Expired Registration in Oregon

Motor vehicle registration constitutes a mandatory legal requirement for all vehicle owners in Oregon. The Oregon Department of Transportation Driver and Motor Vehicle Services division administers vehicle registration procedures throughout the state. The Oregon State Police holds primary responsibility for enforcing compliance with vehicle registration statutes on public roadways.

State Code Provisions

Oregon's vehicle registration requirements are established under Chapter 803 of the Oregon Revised Statutes, which comprehensively addresses vehicle title and registration matters. This statutory framework prescribes mandatory registration procedures, establishes penalties for non-compliance, defines exemptions from registration requirements, and authorizes enforcement mechanisms. Specific provisions within this chapter, including ORS 803.455 regarding failure to renew registration, create legal obligations for vehicle owners to maintain current registration and outline consequences for violations.

Registration Terms and Expiration

Biennial Registration System

Oregon operates under a biennial registration system for most passenger vehicles, with registrations remaining valid for two-year periods.

Standard Passenger Vehicle Registration:

• Registration periods extend for two years from the initial registration date
• The registration period commences on the day a vehicle receives registration and continues through the identical calendar day two years thereafter
• Example: A vehicle registered on March 15, 2026, maintains valid registration through March 15, 2028, with expiration occurring at the conclusion of that date
• Upon renewal, subsequent registration periods begin and end on this same date in future years

New Passenger Vehicles:

• Vehicles bearing a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin receive an initial four-year registration period
• Following the initial four-year term, renewal reverts to the standard two-year registration cycle
• Registration fees for new vehicles equal double the standard biennial rate plus applicable county fees

Oregon does not provide a grace period for expired registration. Once registration expires, vehicle owners may not legally operate the vehicle on public roads until registration is renewed. The expiration occurs at the end of the final day of the registration period, and operation of the vehicle after that time constitutes a violation of state law.

Penalties for Expired Registration

Traffic Violation for Operating with Expired Registration

Oregon law establishes a traffic violation for operating vehicles with expired registration. Under ORS 803.455, a person commits the offense of failure to renew vehicle registration when the registration period for a vehicle registered in the person's name expires and the person operates the vehicle without paying the required renewal fee. This offense constitutes a Class D traffic violation. Pursuant to ORS 153.019, the fine for a Class D traffic violation is one hundred fifteen dollars ($115).

Administrative Penalties for Late Renewal

Oregon does not impose administrative late fees or interest charges for renewing expired vehicle registration. Vehicle owners may renew expired registrations at any time by paying the standard biennial registration fee without additional penalty, provided the registration has been expired for less than one year.

The online renewal system at DMV2U remains accessible for expired registrations. Upon completing an online renewal, the receipt serves as proof of registration for up to 30 days while permanent registration documents are processed and mailed to the vehicle owner.

Registrations Expired Over One Year:

Vehicle owners whose registrations have been expired for more than one year must complete the renewal process in person at a Driver and Motor Vehicle Services office. Online renewal through DMV2U is not available for registrations that have exceeded the one-year expiration threshold.

Local Parking Enforcement Penalties

Municipal jurisdictions maintain independent authority to issue citations for expired registration on vehicles parked on public streets and rights-of-way. These parking citations are issued independently of traffic violations under state law and do not require vehicle operation.

City of Portland Parking Citations:

• Seventy dollars ($70) for registration tags expired between 0 and 90 days
• One hundred forty-five dollars ($145) for registration tags expired 91 days or more

Vehicles displaying expired registration while parked on public property remain subject to citation even when not in operation. These municipal penalties vary by jurisdiction and represent separate enforcement actions from state traffic violations.

Government Agencies

Oregon Department of Transportation
355 Capitol Street NE, Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 1-888-275-6368 (1-888-ASK-ODOT)
Official Website: Oregon Department of Transportation

Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division - Headquarters
1905 Lana Avenue NE, Salem, OR 97314
Phone: 503-945-5000 (Salem Metro Area)
Phone: 503-299-9999 (Portland Metro Area)
Official Website: Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services

Oregon State Police - General Headquarters
3565 Trelstad Avenue SE, Salem, OR 97317
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: OSP (677 from mobile phones)
Phone: 1-800-442-0776
Official Website: Oregon State Police