Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 803 § 803.305 — Exemptions from general registration requirements
Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 803 ·
Oregon Code § 803.305·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Exemptions from general registration requirements.
This section establishes
exemptions from the requirements under ORS 803.300. The exemptions under this
section are in addition to any exemptions under ORS 801.026. Vehicles exempted
by this section from the requirements to be registered by this state are not
prohibited from being registered by this state if registration is permitted
under ORS 803.310. The following are exempt, either partially or completely as
described, from the registration requirements under ORS 803.300:
(1) Road rollers,
farm tractors, trolleys and traction engines are exempt from registration.
(2) Bicycles are
exempt from registration.
(3) A vehicle is
exempt from registration if it has registration issued for the vehicle by the
Armed Forces of the United States where the registration is issued in a foreign
country to a vehicle owned by a member of the Armed Forces. The exemption granted
by this subsection applies only for a period of 45 days from the time the
vehicle is returned to the United States.
(4) A vehicle is
exempt from registration if it is not operated on the highways of this state.
(5) A trailer is
exempt from registration if it is equipped with pneumatic tires made of elastic
material and is not operated in this state with a loaded weight of more than
1,800 pounds. A trailer for hire, travel trailer or camper is not exempt by
this subsection.
(6) Vehicles
owned and operated by the United States Government are exempt from
registration.
(7) Snowmobiles
are subject to the requirements for registration provided under ORS 821.080 to
821.110.
(8) Implements of
husbandry, well drilling machinery, emergency fire apparatus providing public
fire protection and wheelchairs are exempt from registration.
(9) Road graders,
farm tractors and farm trailers on highways are exempt from registration when
the operation of the vehicle upon the highway is incidental to its use in an
agricultural operation.
(10) Except as
provided in subsection (26) of this section, fixed load vehicles are exempt
from registration while the vehicles are operated:
(a) In the
construction or reconstruction of state or county roads, highways or city
streets; and
(b) Within the
immediate construction projects, as described in the governmental agency
contract under which the work is being performed.
(11) Motor
vehicles designed to operate at a loaded weight over 8,000 pounds, trailers and
equipment are exempt from registration while being used for the purposes of
forest protection and fire suppression under ORS chapter 477 or a similar
federal statute. The exemption under this subsection applies to the vehicles or
equipment described while being moved to or from the work area. The exemption
under this subsection only applies to vehicles or equipment owned, leased,
contracted for or requisitioned by the State Forester or State Board of
Forestry, a contractor of the State Forester or State Board of Forestry under
ORS chapter 477 or the United States Government.
(12) Vehicles
being used for the purposes of forest protection and fire suppression are
exempt if the vehicles are necessary in order to comply with ORS 477.615 or
477.650 or a similar federal statute. The exemption under this subsection also
applies to the vehicles described being moved to or from the work area.
(13) Golf cart
exemptions from registration are as provided in ORS 820.210.
(14) Vehicles
currently registered and titled in any other country, state or territory are
not required to be registered by this state. All of the following apply to this
subsection:
(a) This
subsection only provides an exemption as long as the owner of the vehicle
satisfactorily shows that the owner is not a resident of this state or has been
a resident of this state for less than 30 days. For the purpose of this
paragraph, a person is a resident of this state if the person meets the
residency requirements described in ORS 803.200.
(b) The exemption
under this subsection applies to vehicles granted exemptions under ORS 802.500,
802.520 or 826.005 unless otherwise provided for under paragraph (c) of this
subsection.
(c) Except as
otherwise provided in this paragraph, a vehicle operated over the highways of
this state for compensation or profit must comply with the registration
requirements under ORS 803.300 in the same manner as vehicles owned by persons
in this state. The following vehicles are not subject to this paragraph:
(A) Vehicles
operated under reciprocal registration exemptions established under ORS 802.500
or 826.005.
(B) Vehicles
operated under an exemption established under ORS 802.520.
(C) Vehicles that
are proportionally registered under an agreement established under ORS 826.007
and according to the procedures established under ORS 826.009 and 826.011.
(D) Any vehicle
if duly registered and titled under the laws of the state or country of which
the owner is a bona fide resident to the extent th
Plain English Explanation
This Oregon statute addresses Exemptions from general registration requirements. AI-powered analysis coming soon.
Key Points
01Part of Oregon statutory law
02Referenced as Oregon Code § 803.305
03Subject to legislative amendments
04Consult a licensed attorney for application to specific cases
Frequently Asked Questions
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