New DMV Fees

The Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 3991 in September 2025 to provide transportation funding for ODOT, cities, counties and transit districts around the state. Transportation funding maintains the quality, safety, and reliability of Oregon's roads, bridges and other parts of our transportation system.

Petitioners turned in more than the required number of signatures to potentially refer portions of the funding bill to a statewide vote in November 2026. The Secretary of State Elections Division is in the process of verifying those signatures. Several House Bill 3991 tax and fee increases are suspended and will not take effect if enough signatures are verified, placing the measure on the November 2026 ballot for voter consideration.

The referendum only called for certain portions of the bill to go to voters. Two registration fee increases from Section 46 of the bill were not included in the petition. Effective Dec. 31, 2025, the annual registration fee for all electric and 40 MPG or higher passenger vehicles will increase by $30 ($60 for a two-year registration).

DMV is in the process of sending out vehicle registration renewal notices reflecting accurate fees. In November 2025, we paused sending renewal notices because of the uncertainty around the petition to ensure customers were not overcharged. It may take several weeks to send out all the previously paused renewal notices.

You can renew your passenger vehicle registration without your renewal notice. Note, if you live in a DEQ zone, you must first get your emissions test done at a DEQ station. The easiest and quickest way to renew is on DMV2U or at a DMV Express Kiosk available in 10 Fred Meyer locations. You can also renew by mail or at a DMV field office without a renewal reminder, but you will first need to fill out an application. 

Important: Vehicles registered to a business may not be renewed at DEQ, on DMV2U or at a DMV Express Kiosk without a renewal notice. Options for these customers are to pass the emissions test, complete form 735-268, pay the appropriate fee and submit by mail or at a DMV office.

ODOT faces a historic operations and maintenance funding crisis caused by flattening gas tax revenues as Oregonians drive more efficient vehicles, rising costs and legal limits on how transportation funds can be used.

Title and registration fees combine with the state’s gas tax and fees on freight haulers to finance the State Highway Fund, which then distributes money to the state, counties and cities to maintain and improve Oregon’s roads and bridges. Vehicle fees help pay for snow and ice removal, removing rockfall and landslide debris, clearing lanes after traffic incidents, and other critical maintenance work in counties and cities across the state. These fees also fund DMV staffing positions previously frozen or held vacant, strengthening frontline services and enhancing the quality of our customer data.

ODOT is working closely with legislators and the Governor’s Office to evaluate next steps as a referendum effort moves forward and is preparing for potential impacts. If the funding is repealed, the specific effects on ODOT operations and service levels are not yet known. Over the past six years, ODOT has implemented voluntary budget reductions, consolidated operations, reduced its fleet, and held vacancies open to stretch available dollars. ODOT will continue operating under an austerity budget, limiting purchases and out-of-state travel.