Or. Admin. Code § 735-022-0070 - Inspection of Vehicle Identification Numbers

DMV adopts the following procedures relating to the inspection of the vehicle identification number (VIN) of a vehicle under ORS 803.212:

(1) A vehicle dealer certified under ORS 822.020 and who meets the qualifications under OAR 735-150-0039, may act as an agent of DMV to perform VIN inspections under ORS 803.212 for vehicles that they sell, except as prohibited under section (5) of this rule.

(2) An Oregon law enforcement agency may act as an agent of DMV to perform VIN inspections under ORS 803.212. For purposes of acting as an agent of DMV to perform VIN inspections, an Oregon law enforcement agency means the Oregon State Police, an Oregon county sheriff's office, or an Oregon city or municipal police department.

(3) DMV may authorize a person or agency to perform VIN inspections under ORS 803.212. The person or agency must request DMV's authorization in writing by emailing vehicle programs at vehicleprograms@odot.oregon.gov or mailing the request to DMV Headquarters, Attn: Vehicle Programs at 1905 Lana Ave NE, Salem, OR 97317 to enter into a VIN inspection agreement with DMV.

(4) For purposes of this rule, "agent" means a certified vehicle dealer or Oregon law enforcement agency designated by DMV to conduct VIN inspections on behalf of DMV.

(5) DMV, in its discretion, may limit the type of VIN inspections an agent may perform.

(6) Only DMV, the Oregon State Police (OSP) or other Oregon law enforcement agency acting as an agent of DMV, may perform a VIN inspection on a vehicle located in Oregon if:

(a) The vehicle is assembled;

(b) The vehicle is reconstructed;

(c) The vehicle is a replica;

(d) DMV has received notice that the vehicle has been or will be wrecked, dismantled, disassembled or substantially altered under ORS 819.010 or 822.133;

(e) The vehicle is from another jurisdiction and documents presented show the vehicle has been damaged (i.e., salvage bills of sale, salvage title, etc.);

(f) The vehicle is imported and the original manufacturer did not certify that it complies with federal vehicle standards as described in OAR 735-022-0080; or

(g) The vehicle has been reported to DMV as a totaled vehicle. This does not apply to a vehicle reported totaled due to theft and later recovered in a condition that no longer meets the definition of "totaled vehicle" under ORS 801.527.

(7) DMV may designate any person or agency to perform VIN inspections on vehicles in other jurisdictions, including:

(a) A law enforcement agency or entity with administrative or regulatory authority for vehicles within the jurisdiction;

(b) For vehicles owned by U.S. armed services personnel, the owner's commanding officer, Provost Marshal or other person in authority as authorized by DMV; or

(c) Anyone designated by DMV under a written agreement.

(8) The inspection fee established under ORS 803.215 is required for inspections performed under ORS 803.210. The fee does not apply to inspections performed outside Oregon.

(9) If a vehicle does not have a VIN, DMV will assign one and affix it to the vehicle. When a VIN is assigned, the title record will indicate the VIN assigned by DMV.

(10) DMV may enter into agreements to compensate the Oregon State Police or other Oregon law enforcement agencies for any VIN inspection conducted under ORS 803.212(5). DMV will only compensate an Oregon law enforcement agency if DMV has entered into an agreement with the Oregon law enforcement agency.

Notes

Or. Admin. Code § 735-022-0070

MV 2-1983, f. 3-19-83, ef. 5-1-83; MV 4-1983, f. 10-5-83, ef. 10-15-83; MV 1-1984, f. & ef. 1-10-84; MV 1-1985, f. & ef. 1-30-85; MV 19-1986, f. & ef. 12-1-86; MV 28-1987, f. & ef. 10-1-87, Renumbered from 735-071-0009; DMV 14-1994, f. & cert. ef. 11-22-94; DMV 14-2001, f. & cert. ef. 8-13-01; DMV 16-2006, f. & cert. ef. 11-17-06; DMV 29-2019, amend filed 12/17/2019, effective 1/1/2020; DMV 5-2022, amend filed 03/10/2022, effective 3/10/2022; DMV 32-2023, amend filed 11/14/2023, effective 11/14/2023; DMV 2-2024, minor correction filed 02/21/2024, effective 2/21/2024

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 184.619, 802.010 & 803.212

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 803.212