OAR 735-046-0030: Custom Plates — Issuance, Renewal and Transfer

(1) Custom plates shall only be issued to vehicles of the types described in this section. Vehicle types for which custom plates may be issued include: (a) Motor vehicles that would be registered under ORS 803.420(6)(a) if special registration plates were not requested (for example, passenger vehicles such as cars or lightweight trucks); (b) Travel trailers; (c) Campers; (d) Motor homes; (e) Mopeds; and (f) Motorcycles. (2) Custom plates shall not be approved for vehicles registered under registration provisions for which issuance of a special registration plate is required, or for which DMV routinely issues special plates (for example, disabled veteran or farm). (3) Vehicles issued custom plates are subject to the same requirements as they would be if they did not have special plates (i.e., mandatory insurance or Department of Environmental Quality inspection) as specified by rule or law. (4) If the custom plate is not renewed within 180 days from the expiration of the vehicle registration period, or if the plate(s) is surrendered to DMV, the custom plate choice shall be considered available for approval and assignment on a first come, first served basis, upon application by any applicant. The owner of the vehicle to which the custom plate was originally issued may again be assigned that plate choice if: (a) A custom plate with that plate choice has not already been issued for use on another applicant’s vehicle; (b) The applicant otherwise complies with requirements for registration of the vehicle; (c) DMV approves the plate choice for use; and (d) There is no application pending for the plate choice by another applicant, as established by OAR 735-046-0010(1). (5) Custom plates are assigned to specific vehicles and shall remain with that vehicle except as otherwise provided in this rule or by statute. All of the following apply to custom plate transfers: (a) When a vehicle bearing a custom plate is sold, assigned or otherwise transferred, and the owner (seller) chooses to retain the custom plate choice for transfer to another vehicle, it shall be the responsibility of the owner (seller) to: (A) Remove the plates from the vehicle prior to the sale or transfer, or make arrangements with the purchaser to remove the plates from that vehicle; and (B) Comply with requirements for transfer of the plates or plate choice to another vehicle, including making application to DMV and paying any required fees. (b) If the owner (seller) does not retain the plates prior to the sale or transfer, and is unable to make arrangements for removal of the plates from that vehicle, the plates and that plate choice shall remain assigned to that vehicle except as otherwise provided in rule or statute.