What is RUAF?
The Road Use Assessment Fee (RUAF) replaces the weight-mile tax for the loaded portion of non-divisible hauls when the vehicle’s combined weight is more than 98,000 pounds when traveling in Oregon. An example of a load that cannot be divided is a single piece of machinery, such as an excavator.
You must get a special transportation variance permit from the Over-Dimension (OD) Permit Unit to operate on any public road(s) in Oregon. This type of variance permit is called a non-divisible single trip permit (STP) and is valid for one trip within a 10-day period.
A temporary pass or enrollment in the
Oregon Weight-Mile Tax Program is also required for these operations even when the entire trip is on the STP. Carriers should
not report RUAF miles again on their Oregon mileage tax report.
The fee is set in statute and is based on the Equivalent Single Axle Load (ESAL). RUAF is based on the loaded weight of the combination, the number of axles, and the miles traveled. The current rate chart is linked below.
Oregon Road Use Assessment Fee (RUAF) Rates
How to Report RUAF Miles
- Road use assessment fees are automatically calculated during the permitting process and fees for permits are due at time of issuance.
- All applications for over-dimension permits must be submitted through the Oregon Routing Information Online (ORION) self-service permitting system.
- For more information about the new system, please visit the ORION Project page.
County and City Road Authorities
If you have been issued a permit, outside of ORION, from another road authority (for example, a city public works department or county) to operate solely on their roads with a single non-divisible load and gross weight in excess of 98,000 pounds, road use assessment fees must be paid.
- Fill out and submit a County/City RUAF Mileage Report (form 3253). The miles declared on this form are not reported again on your Oregon Mileage Tax Report.
Rules Summary
Below is a summary of RUAF rules. Visit our
Laws and Rules web page for more information.
Road Use Assessment Fee for Single-Trip Non-Divisible Load Permittee
Variance Permits Issued for Non-Divisible Loads and Road Use Assessment Fees
- (4) Road use assessment fees for gross weights up to 240,000 pounds are shown in a table prepared and maintained by the Chief Engineer. The fee is determined by the motor carrier's declaration of gross weight and number of axles used. If gross weight exceeds 240,000 pounds, the road use assessment fees will be computed by the department.
- (5) The road use assessment fees for any carrier may be increased based on actual weighing by State Motor Carrier Enforcement Officers and other authorized personnel or through audit by the Oregon Department of Transportation.
- (6) The road use assessment fees are not refundable unless the trip is not made.
- (33) “Road use assessment fee” means a fee for each ESAL mile of travel as established by ORS 818.225.
OAR 734-082-0015 — Weight for Single Non-Divisible Loads
- (5) The road use assessment fee required in OAR 734-082-0003 is based on the weight requested for the permit. The weight shown on the permit is the maximum weight permitted.