Oregon’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) expands in-person services safely with an appointment system for certain services; others are still best served online
OREGON – As Oregon enters its first phases of reopening, the DMV is accepting appointments for select services that can only be done in person at 40 offices around the state.
Services you can make an IN-OFFICE appointment for:
● Driver licensing and ID cards (originals, renewals and replacements, including passenger car and commercial licenses, and instruction permits)
● Driver knowledge tests
● Driving privilege reinstatements, when combined with a license issuance
● VIN inspections (required for vehicles being titled in Oregon for the first time)
● Parking placards for people with disabilities (can also be done by mail)
● Farm endorsements
To make an appointment:
At OregonDMV.com, a simple tool will ask a short series of questions to determine whether you need an in-person visit or can do your business online or by mail. If the service you need is available for appointments, the tool will take you to the new appointment request form.
The form asks for your name and contact information. A DMV agent will contact you to schedule the in-person appointment. Please remember, once you submit the online form it will take some time for DMV to respond because of the high demand for service.
However, there are many services that can – and should – still be completed on the DMV’s website, to keep the phone lines and appointments open for the types of transactions that can only be completed in person.
Services to do ON THE DMV WEBSITE:
- Renew registration for passenger vehicles, as well as some other types of vehicles (this can also be done by mail)
- Change your address on file with DMV
- Order a trip permit for your vehicle
- Report the sale of your vehicle
- Apply to get new plates for a vehicle you already own
- Replace your registration card
Services that are NOT offered at this time:
● Driving tests. (These present a challenge for safe social distancing.)
Services that can be submitted by MAIL:
● Apply for a disabled person parking permit or renewal of a permit (can also be done by in-person appointment)
● Vehicle dealership paperwork
● Submit an accident/crash report
● Submit a medical examiners certificate for your CDL – able to be done at a CDL office appointment when you go in for an issuance/renewal
● Mail in your proof of future financial responsibility (SR22 form)
● Order a driver or vehicle record – anyone ordering DMV records must qualify to receive the information under ORS 802.175 – 802.191
● Original/renewal applications for all business certificates (Dealer, Dismantler, Vehicle Appraiser and Transporter)
● Title transactions. In-person offices are not accepting title and registration transactions at this time. For title transactions that require a VIN inspection, you will need to schedule an appointment for the VIN inspection. Once the inspection is done, the VIN inspection fee will be paid at the office and you will receive proof of VIN inspection. You will then need to mail the title transaction, with the completed VIN inspection form and title fees, to DMV Headquarters for processing, following the instructions for your specific transaction type.
● Paying reinstatement fees that are not combined with an issuance. To pay reinstatement fees without an issuance, mail your reinstatement fee to DMV. Before you drive, verify your suspension is lifted by calling your local DMV phone number.
DMV services keep safe drivers and vehicles on the roads doing essential work like transporting equipment and groceries to communities that need them. Local businesses like car dealers and trucking companies work with the DMV every day, sending and receiving paperwork to title and register vehicles.
As public access was restricted across the state to help flatten the curve of COVID-19, the DMV was able to keep essential services going for commercial drivers and maintain safety measures by limiting the number of offices accepting in-person work and setting appointment times for people to come in. Staff that usually worked in field offices stepped up to take on a backlog of paperwork from DMV headquarters to keep business moving as people sent in their transactions by mail. Staff rallied together to troubleshoot how they could provide services in safe ways for customers and employees in an ever-changing landscape.
ODOT leadership worked closely with the Governor’s Office and the Department of Administrative Services on a three-stage plan to gradually expand DMV services while maintaining customer and employee safety. The goal: to have all DMV offices accepting appointments and have most services available by the fall of 2020.
