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updateUpdated 2026-10-11

Oregon License Plate Lookup

License Plate Lookup Oregon — enter any OR plate to get the make, model, year, trim, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds. Vehicle data only — no personal information is returned.

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OREGON123 ABC

3.4M

Registered Vehicles

Oregon (FHWA)

Since 1905

Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division (DMV)

123 ABC

Oregon License Plate Quick Facts

Agency	Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division (DMV)
Issuance year	1905
Current format	123 ABC — Six characters on the current 'Tree' design: three digits, a space, and three letters. Oregon is a two-plate state.
Plates required	Two (front and rear)
Replacement fee	$5
Registration validity	2 years
Registered vehicles	3.4M (approx.)
DMV contact	1-503-945-5000 · www.oregon.gov/odot/dmv

How do I look up an Oregon license plate?

Running a free Oregon license plate lookup takes under 10 seconds. The OR license plate lookup tool above doesn't require an account or paywall.

1
Enter the Oregon license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
2
Confirm OR is selected in the state dropdown — plate numbers can repeat across states, so the state is required for accurate matching.
3
Press Search Plate. You'll see make, model, year, trim, engine, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds.

Run a OR plate lookuparrow_forward

What does an Oregon license plate lookup reveal?

A free Oregon license plate lookup returns vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, trim, engine, recalls, and safety ratings. Personal information about the registered owner is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and is never returned by this tool.

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DPPA notice — vehicle data only

This Oregon license plate lookup returns vehicle information only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database. We do not return the registered owner's name, address, phone number, email, driving record, or any other personal information about the driver. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not lawfully accessible through any free public lookup.

Free — available here

check_circleMake, model, year, and trim
check_circleBody style, doors, curb weight
check_circleEngine size, cylinders, fuel type
check_circleTransmission and drivetrain
check_circleOpen NHTSA safety recalls
check_circleNHTSA crash test ratings
check_circleEPA fuel economy (MPG)
check_circleManufacturing plant & country

Paid — via NMVTIS partners

boltTitle brand history (salvage, flood, rebuilt)
boltReported accident history
boltOdometer rollback detection
boltNumber of previous owners
boltLien and loan history
boltAuction & insurance records
boltState of registration history
boltTheft / total-loss records

Registered owner name, address, contact details, and driving records are protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and are not returned by this site or any other free public lookup. This tool provides vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, safety ratings, and EPA fuel economy — sourced from NHTSA and EPA public databases.

What does an Oregon license plate format look like?

Six characters on the current 'Tree' design: three digits, a space, and three letters. Oregon is a two-plate state. A free Oregon license plate lookup also works on legacy plate formats listed in the table below.

OREGON123 ABC

Oregon license plate formats through the years

Era	Format	Example
1905–1955	Sequential numeric	12345
1956–1981	Numeric / alphanumeric (3 letters + 3 digits)	ABC 123
1982–1987	3 letters + 3 digits (blue plate)	ABC 123
1988–2007	3 letters + 3 digits ('Pacific Wonderland', evergreen tree)	ABC 123
2008–present	3 digits + 3 letters (Tree design refreshed)	123 ABC
Specialty (Crater Lake, etc.)	Up to 7 characters with cause backgrounds	ABC 1234

Oregon license plate laws you should know

Below are the four laws that most often trip up Oregon drivers. Rules are enforced at the stop, the inspection station, and at registration renewal.

Two plates required

Oregon requires two plates — front and rear — on every passenger vehicle under ORS § 803.540. Failure to display either plate can result in fines.

Front plate rule

No exemption exists for vehicles lacking a front mounting bracket. Owners must install a bracket or face a citation under § 803.540.

Registration stickers & display

Oregon issues a registration sticker affixed to the rear plate showing the month and year of expiration. Plates are renewed every 2 years and verified electronically.

Inspection / smog check

Oregon's DEQ Vehicle Inspection Program requires biennial emissions testing in two metropolitan areas: Portland metro (Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties, plus parts of Yamhill) and the Medford metro area (Jackson County). Vehicles up to 25 model years old are subject to testing. There is no statewide safety inspection requirement.

Types of Oregon license plates

Oregon issues dozens of plate designs. These are the main categories you'll encounter on the road or see at the DMV counter.

Standard Oregon / Tree

Default plate with the iconic Oregon Douglas fir design issued in the 123 ABC format. Two plates required.

Personalized / Vanity

Up to 6 characters on the standard or specialty backgrounds. $50 initial + $5/year through Oregon DMV.

Disabled / Disabled Veteran

ISA wheelchair symbol; qualifies for accessible parking statewide. DV plates carry waived fees for qualifying veterans.

Military specialty

Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, POW, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Gold Star Family, and branch-specific plates.

Special interest

Crater Lake, Cultural Trust, Wine Country, Salmon, Pacific Wonderland (legacy), university plates, and dozens of cause plates.

Antique / Special Interest Vehicle (SIV)

Antique plates for vehicles 25+ years old; SIV plates for collector vehicles. Restricted to occasional use such as exhibitions and club events.

How much does a Oregon license plate cost?

Typical Oregon DMV fees for plates, registration, and related services. Always confirm current amounts on the official DMV site before paying.

Biennial registration (passenger, varies by MPG)	$126–$316 every 2 years (based on fuel economy / vehicle type)
Replacement plate (per pair)	$5
Personalized plate (initial)	$50
Personalized plate (annual)	$5 above biennial registration
Title fee	$101
Vehicle privilege tax (on dealer sales)	0.5% of retail sale price (collected at dealer)

Source: Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division (DMV) — https://www.oregon.gov/odot/dmv

What if my Oregon plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Follow these steps to replace a Oregon license plate. Do not keep driving with a missing plate — it is a citable offense in most states.

1
File a police report immediately if the plates were stolen.
2
Visit any Oregon DMV office or use the online services portal at oregon.gov/odot/dmv.
3
Complete the Application for Replacement Plates (Form 268) with vehicle information.
4
Pay the $5 replacement fee for a new plate pair.
5
Surrender any remaining plate from the pair before substitute plates are issued.

Oregon DMV contact & privacy

Official agency

Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division (DMV)

call1-503-945-5000

languagewww.oregon.gov/odot/dmv

DPPA privacy notice

Personal information tied to a Oregon license plate — driver name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and driving record — is protected by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by this site. This page and the lookup tool provide vehicle-level data only: make, model, year, trim, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Oregon license plate lookups, DMV rules, and plate replacement.

How do I run an Oregon license plate lookup?expand_more

Enter any Oregon plate in the search field above and press Check Plate. You'll get the vehicle's make, model, year, trim, open NHTSA recalls, and crash ratings — free, no signup required.

Does Oregon require a front license plate?expand_more

Yes. ORS § 803.540 requires passenger vehicles to display two plates — one on the front and one on the rear. There is no exemption for vehicles sold without a front bracket.

How much does a replacement Oregon plate cost?expand_more

The replacement fee is $5 for a new plate pair. Replacements are processed at any Oregon DMV office using Form 268; a police report is required if the plate was stolen.

What is the current Oregon license plate format?expand_more

The standard Oregon passenger plate uses a 6-character format: three digits, a space, and three letters (e.g., 123 ABC) on the iconic Douglas fir 'Tree' design.

Are Oregon license plate records public?expand_more

No. Owner information tied to an Oregon plate is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and ORS § 802.175. Free lookups return only vehicle-level data.

Does Oregon require emissions testing?expand_more

Oregon's DEQ Vehicle Inspection Program requires biennial emissions testing in the Portland metro area (Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington, parts of Yamhill counties) and the Medford metro area (Jackson County). There is no statewide safety inspection requirement.

How do I get a personalized Oregon plate?expand_more

Personalized plates are ordered through Oregon DMV at oregon.gov/odot/dmv for $50 initial fee and $5/year above biennial registration. Up to 6 characters are allowed.

How often do I renew my Oregon registration?expand_more

Oregon vehicle registration is valid for 2 years. The DMV mails a renewal notice approximately 45 days before expiration. Renewal can be done online, by mail, or in person at any DMV office.

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