Oregon License Plate Lookup

How To Lookup an Oregon License Plate

Online you can find many different public records databases where you can search for an Oregon license plate for free. However, you may only get to see basic information like the vehicle's year, make, model, color, and other small details. If you require further details like the person's name, address, phone number, driver's license number, social security number, photos, medical information, or disability details, you must qualify under Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). Personal information contained within motor vehicle records is guarded by strict federal and state laws in Oregon. If you violate these laws, you may face hefty fines and other severe punishments.

Oregon License Plate Laws

According to Oregon Revised Statute 803.525, all passenger vehicles must display two license plates (one in the rear and one in the front) at all times. The only exceptions to this are mopeds, motorcycles, trailers, campers, antique vehicles, and vehicles of special interest. After requesting new license plates, they usually arrive within 2-3 weeks.

Before you can register your vehicle in Oregon, it must be titled in the state. When punching a new vehicle, you must have it registered within 30 days in the state of Oregon. Oregon offers two options for registering your vehicle. You can visit the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office or use their online system called DMV2U.

You must renew your Oregon registration every year. You can still renew it even up to 75 days after the expiration date. However, you will have to pay late fees. Your vehicle must pass an emissions test before you can register it. This rule applies to new and used vehicles.

Oregon License Plate Options

Oregon provides its residents with more than 20 standard license plate designs to choose from. You can purchase them either in person at the local DVM office or online through their system. Oregon also offers some specialty plates such as:

• Amateur (HAM) Radio Operator
• Antique
• Bus
• Camper
• Charitable/Non-Profit
• Disabled Veteran
• Ex-POW
• Farm
• Fleet Vehicles
• For-Rent Trailers
• Heavy Fixed Load
• Heavy Trailer
• Light Fixed Load
• Low-Speed Vehicles
• Medium-Speed Vehicles
• Moped
• Motorcycle
• Motor Home
• National Guard - Motor Home
• School Bus
• Snowmobile
• Special Interest
• Special Use Trailer
• Tow/Recovery Vehicle
• Transporter​
• Travel Trailer
• Truck
• Utility/Light Trailer

The state also offers veteran license plates for all branches of the military. Additionally, you can have one of nine designs personalized with your own message.

What Does the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) in Oregon Say?

Oregon honors the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) as well as having their own privacy laws. In their "How to Request Records" brochure, they say this about privacy in motor vehicle records:

"DMV is required by Oregon law to maintain vehicle and driver records. These records are public records and are available by making a request and paying a fee. However, there are circumstances when certain information contained in DMV records cannot be disclosed. Personal information contained in motor vehicle records is protected, and all requesters must qualify under Oregon law to receive it. Personal information is: Driver License, Driver Permit, or Identification Card Number; Name; Address; and Telephone Number.Customers can still obtain records if they don't qualify to receive personal information, but the records they receive will be "sanitized". Sanitized records contain only the personal information of the person receiving the record. Oregon's Record Privacy Law makes personal information contained in motor vehicle records private. This protects Oregon citizens from having personal information in their motor vehicle records given out to individuals not qualified to receive it".

Search Oregon License Plates: Frequently Asked Questions