Vehicle owners in Oregon will see higher title and registration fees beginning December 31, following the passage of House Bill 3991 by the Oregon Legislature on September 29. The measure, which required a three-fifths majority to pass, is designed to generate additional revenue for the state’s transportation system.
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), base title fees for most vehicles will rise by $139. Base registration fees for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, low and medium speed vehicles, and light trailers will increase by $42 per year. Additionally, an annual surcharge for vehicles with a combined rating of 40 miles per gallon or more and electric vehicles will go up by $30.
Oregon drivers pay a four-year registration fee when registering a new passenger vehicle and a two-year fee when purchasing a used one or renewing registration. The increased fees will apply to new registrations starting December 31. For renewals, the higher rates will be charged if the existing registration expires on or after that date, even if renewed early. Title transaction fees—whether first-time titles, transfers, replacements or duplicates—will also increase on December 31.
Residents in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties must continue to pay additional county vehicle registration fees collected at DMV offices along with state fees if their vehicle is titled in or they live in those counties.
Funds from these increased vehicle-related charges combine with state gas taxes and freight hauler fees to support the State Highway Fund. This fund provides resources to maintain roads and bridges throughout Oregon’s state, county and city jurisdictions. ODOT states that the extra revenue from these increases will help cover expenses such as snow and ice removal, clearing debris after landslides or traffic incidents, as well as funding DMV staffing positions that have been frozen or vacant. The agency says this will strengthen frontline services and improve customer data quality.
