OAR 735-150-0010: Definitions

As used in this division and ORS Chapter 822: (1) “Additional (or supplemental) place of business” or “additional (or supplemental) location” means a location, other than one exempted under OAR 735-150-0020, that is more than 500 feet from any other business location of the dealer that is operated under the same name as the main business location. (2) “Advertise” means to offer a vehicle for sale or to communicate to the public that a person is acting as a vehicle dealer, by any oral, written, or graphic means including, but not limited to, handbills, the Internet, newspapers, signs, television, billboards, radio, and telephone directories. (3) “Agent” means any dealer possessing a current valid vehicle dealer certificate issued under ORS 822.020, who accepts applications and fees for the titling and registration of vehicles sold by the dealer and who performs such other duties related to the titling and registration of vehicles as DMV authorizes under the rules set forth in division 150. (4) “Applicant” means a person that applies for the issuance or renewal of a vehicle dealer certificate under ORS 822.020 and these division 150 rules. (5) “Broker” has the same meaning as “motor vehicle broker” as defined in ORS 822.047(1). (6) “Brokerage services” has the same meaning as defined in ORS 822.047(1). (7) “Business day” means Monday through Saturday and does not include Sundays or State of Oregon and Federal legal holidays. (8) “Buyer,” “purchaser” and “lessee” have the same meaning as “owner” as defined in ORS 801.375. (9) “Cancellation” has the same meaning as “revocation” as defined in section (31) of this rule. (10) “Certified dealer” means a vehicle dealer who holds a vehicle dealer certificate issued or renewed under ORS 822.020. (11) “Circumstances beyond the dealer’s control,” as used in ORS 822.045(3)(b) and OAR 735-150-0050(5) means: (a) That the dealer could not get the title from any state and the prior security interest holder was paid in full by the dealer; and (b) The delay was a result of the security interest holder failing to release title; or (c) DMV may consider the following mitigating circumstances if those circumstances result in the physical destruction of, or inaccessibility to, vehicle records necessary to prove compliance with ORS 822.045(1) and OAR 735-150-0050(5): (A) The direct result of clearly-established fraud or other criminal activity against the vehicle dealer, as determined in a criminal or civil action in a court of law or independently corroborated by a report of a law enforcement agency or insurer or the sworn testimony or affidavit of an accountant or the person who actually engaged in the criminal activity. This mitigating circumstance does not apply if the dealer is the perpetrator of the wrongdoing described in this paragraph; or (B) The direct result of fire, flood or other calamitous event, resulting in physical destruction of, or inaccessibility to vehicle records to prove compliance with ORS 822.045(1) and OAR 735-150-0050(5). (12) “Closure” means a vehicle dealership that no longer has legal authority to conduct dealer-related activity, including when a dealer’s certificate issued under ORS 822.020 is expired, cancelled, suspended or revoked. (13) “Clearly marked” means the notice and dealer contact information required under ORS 822.040(4)(b) and OAR 735-150-0033 is conspicuously posted on the window of each display vehicle, is in plain view of the public and is legible at a distance of six feet or more. (14) “Date of sale,” or use of similar terms to indicate the day that the sale occurred, means the date that the purchaser takes possession of the vehicle. This does not apply to vehicles purchased by a dealer at wholesale auction. With respect to auto auctions and for purposes of consignor payment under ORS 822.060(1)(d), “date of sale” means the date upon which the consigning party delivers the necessary title documents to the purchasing dealer. (15) “Dealer” means a person who engages in any of the activities described in ORS 822.005, except those persons exempted by ORS 822.015. (16) “Dealership,” “place of business” or “business location” means a location within the State of Oregon where activities specified in ORS 822.005 take place. (17) “Designated dealer” means a certified dealer who has been authorized to act as an agent of DMV under OAR 735-150-0040. (18) “DMV” means the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division of the Oregon Department of Transportation. (19) “DMV Administrator” means the administrator of the Driver and Motor Vehicles Services Division of the Oregon Department of Transportation. (20) “Employee,” for purposes of ORS 822.015 and OAR division 150, means a person over whom a dealer exercises the type of control typically associated with an employer, including but not limited to: (a) Determining the frequency, method and amount of compensation; (b) Determining whether the person’s work is continuous or intermittent; (c) Determining the hours or frequency of a person’s work; or (d) Retaining the ability to terminate the relationship. (21) “Good faith effort” as used in ORS 822.045(3) means action satisfactory to DMV that a vehicle dealer complied with the requirements set forth in OAR 735-150-0050(1) and (2). (a) DMV will determine that the dealer’s efforts are in good faith if written documentation is provided that verifies: (A) Action(s) was taken by the dealer within ten (10) days of sale to resolve problems with providing transfer of ownership; and (B) The dealer provided complete and timely information to the customer concerning any problems encountered and actions being taken to resolve them. (b) DMV will not accept a good faith effort by a dealer if, before the sale of the vehicle, the dealer knows or reasonably should know that title transfer could not be completed within 30 days. (22) “Level 1 VIN inspection” has the meaning given the term in OAR 735-022-0070. (23) “Licensed dealer” as used in ORS 822.015, 822.045 and division 150, means a person who is currently licensed as a vehicle dealer in another jurisdiction. (24) “Location,” “main business location” or “main dealership” means a location identified and listed as the dealer’s main business location on the most current application for vehicle dealer certificate. (25) “Normal business hours” means: (a) With respect to vehicle dealer’s normal business hours, all times during which a dealer engages in any of the activities described in ORS 822.005, except as exempted by ORS 822.015; or (b) With respect to DMV’s normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (26) “Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation or any other legal or commercial entity. (27) “Permanent revocation” means to permanently revoke a vehicle dealer certificate and the right to apply for a vehicle dealer certificate. (28) “Probation” means a period of time specified by DMV during which a vehicle dealer may continue to operate, but only under the terms or conditions established by DMV. (29) “Principal” means any owner, partner of a partnership, corporate officer, proprietor of a sole proprietorship, LLC member, or other person who controls the business entity. (30) “Purchaser” has the same meaning as buyer or lessee. (31) “Rebuilder” means a person engaged in conducting a “vehicle rebuilding business” as specified in ORS 822.070. (32) “Revocation” means to void and terminate a vehicle dealer certificate. Unless permanently revoked, DMV will specify the period of time before the person subject to the revocation may apply for a new vehicle dealer certificate. (33) “Sanction” means an action taken against a vehicle dealer by DMV in cases of non-compliance, fraud, misuse or abuse of privileges granted by a vehicle dealer certificate pursuant to a violation of the Oregon Vehicle Code or any rule adopted by DMV relating to vehicle dealers or the operation of a vehicle dealership. (34) ”Suspension” means a period of time specified by DMV during which a vehicle dealer is prohibited from: (a) Buying, selling, trading, exchanging any vehicle or providing brokerage services, including, but is not limited to, providing information about price, quality, availability, payment terms, or any other information specific to the sale of a vehicle; and (b) Acting as DMV’s agent. (35) “VIN” has the meaning given the term in ORS 801.600. (36) “Violation” means any violation by a person or vehicle dealer of the Oregon Vehicle Code or any rule adopted by DMV in accordance with ORS 822.009(1) and (2). (37) “Warning” means a documented oral warning to the principal of a dealership or a written correction notice issued to the principal, or an employee of the dealership.