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Laws and Rules

Motor Carrier Regulations

The Oregon Department of Transportation's Commerce and Compliance Division administers and enforces Oregon motor carrier-related laws and rules, as well as most U.S. DOT safety regulations in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations that apply to motor carriers operating in Oregon.

Chapter 801 — General Provisions and Definitions for Oregon Vehicle Code
Chapter 803 — Vehicle Title and Registration
Chapter 805 — Special Registration Provisions
Chapter 810 — Road Authorities; Courts; Police; Other Enforcement Officials
Chapter 811 — Rules of the Road for Drivers
Chapter 815 — Vehicle Equipment Generally
Chapter 816 — Vehicle Equipment: Lights
Chapter 818 — Vehicle Limits
Chapter 823 — Carrier Regulation Generally
Chapter 825 — Motor Carriers
Chapter 826 — Registration of Commercial Vehicles

These rules include those filed as recently as one or two months ago. Check the Oregon Bulletin for the most recent rulemakings by clicking on the OAR Revision Cumulative Index link at the bottom of each page. Also, check ODOT Division Rulemaking and sign up for email updates.

Chapter 345 — Department of Energy Rules
Division 60 — Transportation of Radioactive Material
 
Chapter 731 — Department of Transportation
Division 12 — Reduction of Vehicle Carrying Capacity
 
Chapter 734 — Transportation Operations
Division 17 — Traction Tires and Traction Devices on Certain Portions of State Highways
Division 50 — Highway Approach Roads, Crossings, Access Control and Weight Restrictions
Division 70 — Vehicle Weight and Dimension Limits -- Permits
Division 71 — Lengths of Vehicles, Loads and Combinations of Vehicles in Operation Without Need of Special Permit
Division 71, Tables 1 and 2 — Maximum Length in Feet for Vehicles or Combinations of Vehicles on Groups 1, 2 and 3 Highways, and Maximum Length in Feet for Route Map 7 Routes
Division 72 — Telephonic Application and Self-Issuance of Permits for the Movement of Oversize/Overweight Vehicles and Loads
Division 73 — Special Size and Weight Rules for Combinations of Vehicles Required by Federal Law or Allowed by State Permit
Division 74 — The Issuance of Permits for Combinations of Vehicles having Gross Weights in Excess of 80,000 Pounds
Division 75 — Movement of Over-Dimensional Mobile Homes and Modular Building Units
Division 76 — Issuance of Permits Allowing Tow Cars to Tow Oversize Disabled Vehicles or Combinations of Vehicles on State Highways
Division 77 — Transportation of Food Processing Plant By-Products from which there is Fluid Leakage
Division 78 — Transportation of Overlength Logs, Poles, Piling, and Structural Members
Division 79 — Permit Exemptions
Division 82 — Variance Permits Issued for Non-Divisible Loads and Road Use Assessment Fees 

Chapter 735 — Driver and Motor Vehicle Services
Division 48 — Farm Vehicles 

Chapter 740 — Commerce and Compliance Division
Division 10 — Procedural Rules
Division 15 — Electronic Commerce and Online Transactions
Division 20 — Department Workforce Ethics
Division 30 — Definitions; General Provisions
Division 35 — Certificates, Permits, Licenses, and Documents
 740-035-0005 — Definitions
 740-035-0200​ — Motor Carrier Education Program
Division 40 — Insurance and Bonds
Division 45 — Identification, Issuance, and Placement of Plates, Markers, Devices or Passes
Division 50 — Tariffs and Time Schedules
Division 55 — Records, Reports, and Accounting Fees and Taxes
Division 60 — Transportation of Household Goods
Division 65 — Electronic Truck Tracking Reports
Division 100 — Vehicles, Driver, Equipment Required and Condition of Vehicles, Intrastate operation exemptions
Division 105 — Equipment: Logs, Poles or Piling
Division 110 — Transportation of Hazardous Materials
Division 200 — Reciprocal Agreements and Interstate Compacts
Division 300 — Penalties

​Part 380 — Special Training Requirements
Part 382 — Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing
Part 383 — Commercial Driver´s License Standards Requirements and Penalties
Part 384 — State Compliance with CDL Program
Part 385 — Safety Fitness Procedures
Part 387 — Minimum Levels of Financial Responsibility for Motor Carriers
Part 390 — General Safety Regulations
Part 391 — Qualification of Drivers
Part 392 — Driving of Commercial Vehicles
Part 393 — Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation
                 Cargo Securement Rules Summary
Part 395 — Driver Hours of Service Rules
                 Who Must Comply? FMCSA Driver Hours of Service Rules
Part 396 — Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance
Part 397 — Transportation of Hazardous Materials; Driving and Parking
Part 398 — Transportation of Migrant Workers
Part 399 — Employee Safety and Health Standards

 
Visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website for a complete list of regulations, interpretations and helpful compliance guidance.

​Failure to comply with motor carrier-related rules and regulations may result in civil and/or criminal sanctions. Besides citations that may be issued at a weigh station or at the roadside, motor carriers found in violation of regulations can be subject to:

  • Citations issued at a weigh station or roadside.
  • Enforcement action by ODOT´s Commerce and Compliance Division. Enforcement may involve a notice to cease and desist or a formal action leading to the assessment of monetary penalties.
  • Formal actions may also result in the suspension or cancellation of operating authority.
Examples of common violations and penalties
  • Failure to file and/or pay Weight-Mile Taxes or Road Use Assessment Fees:
    o Suspension of operating authority.
    o Interest on taxes due.
    o Reinstatement fees.
  • Safety violations: $100 penalty per violation.
  • Violating a Driver/Vehicle Out-of-Service Notice:
    o $2,500 penalty if driver violates notice.
    o Up to $25,000 penalty if carrier violates notice.
  • Bypassing an open weigh station:
    o Class B Misdemeanor, defendant must appear in court.
  • Failure to follow Motor Carrier Enforcement Officer’s directions:
    o Class B Misdemeanor, defendant must appear in court.
  • Overloads or overweight violations:
    o Up to $600, plus 30 cents per pound bail.
  • Non-compliance with oversize permit provisions or traffic control plans.
  • Operating a vehicle or combination of vehicles in excess of length limits on restricted highways.
  • Operating without required pilot vehicles.
  • Operating without oversize or overlength signs.
  • Operating without proper vehicle and load lights.
  • Crossing a weight restricted bridge.
Formal Civil Monetary Penalty Actions
The carrier involved is served a Notice of Proposed Penalty Order which cites the statutes or rules the carrier allegedly violated, proposed penalties and possible settlement options.
 
Settlement options include:
  1. Admitting the violations and demonstrating to staff that remedial action was taken, which may contribute to penalty reduction.
  2. Settling the disputed issues with staff.
  3. Denying some or all of the allegations and requesting a hearing to resolve the matter.
Hearings are conducted through the Employment Department, Office of Administrative Hearings, Oregon Department of Transportation Section. Hearings give the carrier and Motor Carrier Division staff a chance to present evidence before an administrative law judge. The results of all cases are detailed in a Final Order sent to the parties involved.

​Anyone can make a complaint about a commercial vehicle. The Commerce and Compliance Division maintains a Truck Safety Hotline to take reports from motorists who see some kind of truck safety problem while traveling in Oregon.

 

Contact Us

Oregon Department of Transportation
Commerce and Compliance Division
455 Airport Road SE, Building A
Salem, OR 97301
 
Hours of Operation (Pacific Time)
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday
 
Phone
503-378-5849
 
Questions?

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