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You can register your vehicle in the state of Oregon with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
You can choose from a variety of Oregon license plate types, which include specialty and disability license plates.
For an additional fee, you can personalize your license plate to have a unique plate number.
Sample Oregon License Plate
Applying for License Plates in Oregon
Residents of Oregon are required to register their vehicle with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Passenger vehicles like cars, trucks, and vans must have a license plate secured to the front and rear. Motorcycles and trailers are only required to have a license plate secured to the rear of the vehicle.
All vehicles must have valid, up-to-date registration decals in order to drive legally on the roads in Oregon.
To apply for license plates, go to an Oregon DMV office and submit the following:
Valid ID (i.e., Oregon driver’s license)
Proof of insurance
Completed application forms
Certification of passed emissions tests
Titling documentation
Payment for applicable registration fees
You are required to register your vehicle within 30 days of purchase or becoming a new resident with an out-of-state vehicle.
Types of License Plates in Oregon
When you register your vehicle, it is possible to apply for various types of license plates. You can get:
Oregon’s standard issue license plate
Specialty license plates
Disability license plates and placards
When purchasing a new vehicle, you’ll be required to obtain temporary license plates to drive legally until your registration is completed.
Temporary license plates are provided by accredited DMV locations and remain valid for 21 days.
Specialty License Plates in Oregon
The state of Oregon has various specialty license plates dedicated to organizations, occupations, military personnel, charities, and more. The following are examples of specialty Oregon license plates that you can apply for:
Recreational Parks Plates
Crater Lake
Pacific Wildlife
Organizational License Plates
Lions Club of Oregon
Masonic Order
Special Causes License Plates
Share the Road
Keep Kids Safe
Collegiate License Plates
Oregon State University
Fraternity & Sorority Types
Military License Plates
Purple Cross Award
Various War Veteran Styles
Classic Car License Plates
Antique vehicles
Street rods
All specialty license plates have different fees in addition to the regular registration fees. For some plates that are dedicated to charities and nonprofits, a portion of the fee is donated to the organization’s cause.
Personalized License Plates in Oregon
If you want to personalize your license plate with a custom plate number, you can look up what is available online.
You must following the state’s guidelines in order to be eligible for personalized license plates:
Must have 2 to 6 characters (i.e., letters, numbers)
Must be available for registration
Should not contain foul language
Should not suggest association with a public service (e.g., “P0L1CE”)
You will be required to pay a fee in addition to the regular plate fees when you register a personalized plate.
If you already have license plates, it is possible to change your license plates by submitting an application either online, in person, or by mail.
Disability License Plates in Oregon
If you have a disability, you may be eligible for disability license plates or placards.
You must submit any necessary medical documents to be eligible for disability plates and placards in Oregon.
Contact an Oregon DMV office for more information.
Replacing License Plates in Oregon
If your OR license plates are lost, damaged, or stolen, you can apply for replacements with your local DMV office.
You can apply for replacement plates by mail or by going to the nearest office in person.
Note: You don’t have to submit a police report if your plates were stolen. However, doing so helps prevent their misuse.
Transferring License Plates in Oregon
In Oregon, you are required to keep your license plates with you after selling, donating, or auctioning your vehicle.
If you purchase a new vehicle, you can transfer your old plates for an additional fee when registering your vehicle at the DMV.
You are not permitted to sell your license plates with your vehicle.
Surrendering License Plates in Oregon
You may be required to surrender your Oregon license plates if:
You move to another state
You sell your vehicle and do not transfer the plates to a new vehicle
You damage your plates and apply for replacements
Plates can be surrendered to a qualified DMV location either by mail or in person.
Renewal of Oregon License Plates
You are required to renew your vehicle’s registration every 2 years. You may receive a notification in the mail with information about renewing your vehicle. You can do so either in person, by mail, or online.
After you have renewed your vehicle’s registration, you will receive new decal stickers to be placed on your rear license plate.
Summary of Fees for Oregon License Plates
The following are some of the fees you may be required to pay for your vehicle:
Standard Plate Fee: $26
Personalized License Plate
1 year or less: $50
1-2 years (used vehicle without Oregon plates): $100
2-3 years: $150
3-4 years (brand new vehicle): $200
Example of Specialty Plate Fee
Oregon Professional Firefighters: $10 used vehicle, $20 new vehicle
Oregon State University: $32 used vehicle, $64 new vehicle
Gray Whale: $40
Pacific Wonderland: $100 one-time fee
Transfer Fee: $30
Note: You may be required to pay for additional services and taxes when you register or renew your vehicle. Contact your local DMV office for more information about the type of vehicle you have.
Looking Up License Plates in Oregon
You can perform an online search for available license plates in Oregon by using the search bar above.
You’ll be able to see if a plate number is available or already registered with another vehicle. You can also see a vehicle’s history and other information, such as images and videos.
Car Ownership in Oregon
Oregon ranks 35th (tied with Nevada) on the list of states with the highest rates of car ownership. Idaho and Wyoming are tied for number one. The District of Columbia and New York have the lowest car ownership rates in the US.
92.90% of households in Oregon have at least one vehicle. In the states with the highest car ownership rates, Idaho and Wyoming, 96.20% of households have at least one vehicle. In the District of Columbia, vehicle ownership rates are 64.30%, the lowest in the US.
Oregon ranks 5th for electric vehicle ownership in the US. Approximately 0.81% of all registered vehicles in Oregon are electric vehicles. California and Hawaii top the list with 1.61% and 1.32% electric vehicles, respectively. Mississippi and North Dakota are tied for the lowest percentage of electric vehicles at 0.05%.
Oregon is ranked 31 (tied with Rhode Island) on the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US. Ohio is the least expensive state to own a car.
The average cost of annual full coverage car insurance in Oregon is $1,459. In New York, the most expensive state for car insurance, the average cost of full coverage car insurance is $4,769.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Oregon is $393, compared to $418 in Connecticut, the most expensive state for car repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Oregon have two license plates?
Yes, Oregon has two license plates issued to all passenger vehicles. You are required to display one plate on the front of your vehicle and one on the rear.
How many different Oregon license plates are there?
In addition to the standard Oregon license plates, you can choose from more than 50 different designs of specialty license plates in Oregon based on your military service, occupation, hobbies, interests, or club memberships. These specialty plates invite an additional fee on top of the standard license plate fee.
Does Oregon have a new license plate?
In 2023, the state of Oregon introduced a new license plate called Pollinator Paradise, featuring two bees, a wild yellow-faced bumble bee and a managed honey bee, on a background of a red clover field. This plate costs $40 and joins other creatures such as salmon, gray whales, deer, ducks, and beavers that have featured on the state’s license plates.
Does Oregon issue four-year vehicle registrations?
Oregon issues four-year vehicle registrations for brand new passenger vehicles only. You should request this at the same time as the title.
What is the late fee for an expired vehicle registration?
Oregon does not levy a late fee for an expired vehicle registration, no matter how long ago the registration expired.
Do I need to keep the paper registration card in my vehicle?
You must keep the paper registration card in your vehicle in Oregon, but you can black out the address.
Do Oregon plates stay with the car?
Oregon plates belong to the owner and not the vehicle. When you sell your vehicle, you keep the plates. The buyer must apply for new plates from the DMV. You can transfer your plates to a new vehicle or surrender them to the DMV.
How much is vehicle registration in Oregon?
The registration fee for passenger vehicles includes a plate fee of $26, a registration or renewal fee which depends on the vehicle year and rating (for example, if the vehicle year is 2000 or newer and the combined rating is 0-19 MPG, the fee is $126; if the vehicle is all-electric, the fee is $316). Some counties invite an additional fee (Multnomah County $112 and Washington and Clackamas County $60). Transfer plates (moving plates to another vehicle) costs $30.