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Oregon DMV

Vehicle Registration Renewal

Overview

This page provides information about renewing Oregon vehicle registrations (i.e., renewing license plates and tags/stickers).
 
Use the links below to go directly to any section:
Renewal Reminders
A renewal reminder is mailed to the vehicle owner 45 to 60 days prior to the expiration date of the vehicle registration. They are sent to the owner's mailing address on file at the time the reminder is printed. The renewal reminder also serves as the renewal application.

Note: Click here for information about changing your address.

Note: If you have lost or did not receive a renewal reminder, refer to the Lost/Never Received Your Renewal Reminder section below. 
 
Important: Multnomah County has assessed a fee in addition to your state registration fee to fund construction of a new Sellwood Bridge. Vehicles in Multnomah County with registration expiring on or after September 1, 2010 will be assessed an additional fee of $19 per year or $38 for a two-year renewal.  
 
Note: If your vehicle address has changed from that which is printed on your renewal notice, and you have moved into or out of Multnomah County, the total registration fee you owe will be different from the fee shown on the renewal notice.
 
Renewal Options
Renew Online
Most Oregonians can renew their vehicle registrations online. You are eligible to renew online if:
  • Your registration has not yet expired or it has been expired for less than 75 days, and
  • Your vehicle is not subject to DEQ Inspection and a Declaration of Exemption form is not required (see DEQ Inspection Requirement section below for more information), or
  • Your vehicle is subject to DEQ inspection and you have passed the test.

Click here for more information about eligibility. 

Click here to renew your vehicle registration online now.
 
Restrictions:

  • If you need your tags/stickers mailed to a one-time special mailing address, you cannot renew online.
  • If you need to make changes to your registration, other than a simple address change, you cannot renew online.
  • If your address has changed into or out of Multnomah County since you received your renewal reminder, you cannot renew online.
  • If you wish to change to a different license plate you cannot renew online.

When renewing online, you must use a credit or debit card for payment and it must be part of the Visa® or MasterCard® network, i.e., display the  or logo.
A unique PIN number is required to use DMV's online vehicle registration renewal system. PIN numbers are assigned and distributed via renewal reminders.

Once the registration is renewed, documentation and tags/stickers are mailed. 

Renew by Mail
Most Oregonians can mail their renewal applications (renewal reminders) to DMV using the envelope included with their renewal reminder. 
 
Restrictions:
  • If you need to make changes to your registration, other than a simple address change, you cannot renew by mail.
  • If you need to route your stickers to a one time mailing address, you cannot renew by mail.
  • If you want to apply for a different type of plate, see our Changing to a Different License Plate page.
  • If you have moved into or out of Multnomah County since you received your renewal reminder, your payment will need to be adjusted (see note below).
When renewing by mail, send your completed application (renewal reminder), Declaration of Exemption form, if required (see DEQ Inspection Requirement section below for more information), and a check or money order for the applicable fees (listed on the renewal reminder) to:

DMV Registration Renewal
1905 Lana Ave NE
Salem, OR  97314

Once the registration is renewed, documentation and tags/stickers are mailed.

Note: The renewal application must be signed by one of the vehicle’s registered owners.

Note: Multnomah County has assessed a special fee associated with vehicle registration to fund construction of the Sellwood Bridge so if your address has changed from that which is printed on your renewal reminder, and you moved into or out of Multnomah County, the total registration fee you owe is different from the amount shown on the renewal reminder. Multnomah County residents are assessed an additional fee of $19 per year or $38 for a two-year vehicle renewal, so the payment will need to be adjusted accordingly.

Renew at DEQ
Many Oregonians can renew their vehicle registrations at a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) emissions testing facility. This option is only available for vehicles registered in a metropolitan area in which emissions testing is required (see DEQ Inspection Requirement section below for more information). 
   
Restrictions:

  • You can receive new stickers at DEQ if:
  • You cannot receive new stickers at DEQ if:
    • You do not meet all the requirements in the above list;
    • You wish to change to a different license plate and/or need to make other changes to the vehicle's registration;
    • There has been an address change into or out of Multnomah County; or
    • The car is new to Oregon and/or is not registered yet in the state.
  • The renewal application (renewal reminder) must be signed by one of the vehicle’s registered owners.  

When renewing at a DEQ emissions testing facility, present your completed renewal application (renewal reminder) to the testing technician. Be sure to take the whole renewal reminder with you, do not separate the pieces.

DEQ dispenses the tags/stickers and you retain the portion of the renewal reminder that serves as your registration documentation.

Note: Due to Multnomah County’s fee increase, DMV needs to review all address changes to ensure that correct fees are paid. As a result, address changes can no longer be submitted at DEQ. If there are no changes to your vehicle address, you may still renew at DEQ after passing the emissions test.

Renew at DMV
Oregonians may also renew their vehicle registrations at a DMV office. If possible, bring your completed renewal application (renewal reminder) with you. Be sure to bring the whole renewal reminder, do not separate the pieces. You should also bring your Declaration of Exemption form, if required (see DEQ Inspection Requirement section below for more information) and payment.

DMV dispenses the tags/stickers and you retain the portion of the renewal reminder that serves as your registration documentation. 
 
Note: Due to the added costs of merchant fees, DMV offices only accept cash or checks and do not accept credit or debit cards; however many office locations have ATMs available.

Note: You must visit a DMV office (vs. all other options) if you are making changes to your vehicle's registration, other than a simple address change, or you require a one time routing of stickers.

Lost/Never Received Your Renewal Reminder
If you lost or did not receive a renewal reminder:
Designated DMV Offices:
 

New Cards & Tags/Stickers

Put new registration tags/stickers on your license plates as soon as you receive them and keep your registration card in your vehicle.

Click here for more information about tags/stickers and instructions for affixing them to your license plate(s).
  
DEQ Inspection Requirement
​Inclusion in the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) inspection program is based on your address. At present, vehicle inspection boundaries are limited to the Portland and Medford metropolitan areas.
 
To determine if your vehicle must be tested please refer to the Emissions Testing Requirements and the DEQ Vehicle Inspection Program.

Some addresses within DEQ inspection boundaries are exempt. Basically, the ZIP code is within a boundary but the street address is located outside of it. If your address is exempt, you must submit your application for renewal by mail or at a DMV office along with a completed Declaration of Exemption form. This form will be included with your registration renewal reminder if your address on file is exempt at the time the reminder is printed.
 
To determine if your address is exempt or not you may consult the DEQ Web site, or call them at (971) 673-1630 or toll free at (877) 476-0583.

Stored & Inoperable Vehicles
You do not need to notify DMV if you choose not to renew a registration because a vehicle is not being driven or is inoperable. When you wish to operate your vehicle again, contact DMV to renew your registration. You must notify DMV if your vehicle has been totaled or otherwise damaged. For more information on damaged vehicles, visit our Damaged Vehicles page.
 
Note: If the vehicle needs to be retitled as a damaged vehicle, a new title must be obtained before renewing registration.

Related Information
Additional information that may be relevant includes: