Vehicle registration plates of Oregon

Oregon
Current series
Size 12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
Material Aluminum
Serial format 123 ABC
Introduced February 2004 (2004-02)
History
First issued 1905 (1905)

The U.S. state of Oregon first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants had to provide their own license plates for display until 1911, when the state began to supply plates.[1]

Passenger baseplates

1911 to 1949

No slogans were used on passenger plates during the period covered by this subsection.

Image Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
1911 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate with border line; vertical "ORE" and "1911" at left and right respectively 1234 1 to approximately 6200
1912 Embossed black numbers on light green plate with border line; vertical "ORE" and "1912" at left and right respectively 1234 1 to approximately 9999
1913 Black numbers on silver plate; vertical "ORE" and "1913" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 14000
1914 Debossed white numbers on blue plate; vertical "ORE" and "1914" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 16500
1915 Debossed black numbers on yellow plate; vertical "ORE" and "1915" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 22500
1916 Embossed white numbers on dark red plate; vertical "ORE" and "1916" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 34000
1917 Embossed white numbers on green plate; vertical "ORE" and "1917" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 49000
1918 Embossed black numbers on light blue plate; vertical "ORE" and "1918" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 70000
1919 Embossed black numbers on orange plate; vertical "ORE" and "1919" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 84000
1920 Embossed white numbers on red plate; "ORE 1920" at right 123456 1 to approximately 104000
1921 Embossed white numbers on green plate; "ORE 1921" at right 123456 1 to approximately 119000
1922 Embossed black numbers on golden yellow plate; "ORE 1922" at right 123456 1 to approximately 135000
1923 Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate; "ORE 1923" at right 123456 1 to approximately 168000
1924 Embossed white numbers on red plate; "ORE 1924" at right 123-456 1 to approximately 197-000
1925 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate; "ORE 1925" at right 123-456 1 to approximately 220-000
1926 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "ORE 1926" at right 123-456 1 to approximately 236-000
1927 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "OREGON-1927" at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 261-000 First use of the full state name.
1928 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "OREGON-1928" at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 256-000
January 1, 1929 –
June 30, 1930		 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "OREGON-1929" at top 123-456 1 to approximately 330-000 Validated from January 1 through June 30, 1930 with windshield sticker.
July 1, 1930 –
June 30, 1931		 Embossed orange numbers on black plate; "OREGON EXPIRES JUNE 30 1931" at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 296-000
July 1, 1931 –
June 30, 1932		 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "OREGON JUNE 30 1932" at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 265-000
July 1, 1932 –
June 30, 1933		 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "OREGON JUNE 30 1933" at top 123-456 1 to approximately 250-000
July 1 – December 31, 1933 Embossed black numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; "OREGON DEC. 31 1933" at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 218-000
1934 Embossed black numbers on gray plate with border line; "OREGON-1934" at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 249-000
1935 Embossed yellow numbers on black plate with border line; "OREGON-1935" at top 123-456 1 to approximately 272-000
1936 Embossed black numbers on silver plate with border line; "OREGON-1936" at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 276-000
1937 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "OREGON-1937" at top 123-456 1 to approximately 293-000
1938 Embossed black numbers on silver plate with border line; "OREGON-1938" at top 123-456 1 to approximately 327-000
1939 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate with border line; "OREGON-1939" at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 344-000
1940 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; "OREGON-1940" at top 123-456 1 to approximately 359-000
1941 Embossed white numbers on green plate with border line; "19 OREGON 41" at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 390-000
1942–45 Embossed white numbers on blue plate with border line; "19 OREGON 42" at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 495-000 Revalidated for 1943, 1944 and 1945 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1946 Embossed black numbers on gray plate with border line; "46 OREGON 46" at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 480-000 Only rear plates issued due to ongoing metal shortages. A windshield sticker was carried at the front of the vehicle.
1947 Embossed black numbers on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "47 OREGON 47" at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 458-000
1948 Embossed red numbers on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "48 OREGON 48" at top 123-456 1 to approximately 511-000
1949 Embossed black numbers on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "19 OREGON 49" at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 567-000

1950 to present

Some of Oregon's current license plate designs

In 1956, the U.S. states and Canadian provinces came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.[2] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Oregon license plate that complied with these standards.

All plates from 1955 until present are still valid, provided they are displayed on the vehicle to which they were originally issued.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1950 Embossed black numbers on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "OREGON" centered at top; month of expiration at top left and "50" or "51" at top right none 123-456 1 to 710-000 Monthly staggered registration introduced. Dated plates were generally issued to existing registrants, while all undated plates were issued to new registrants. All were revalidated with tabs each year until 1955.
1951–54 As above, but without "50" or "51" 710-001 to approximately 995-000
1955 Embossed golden yellow numbers on blue plate with border line; "OREGON" centered at top; month of expiration at top left and "56" at top right none 1A-1234 Letter corresponds to month of expiration (see right) Letters A through M (excluding I) were used for January through December respectively, followed by letters N through Z (excluding O). All 1955–59 plates were revalidated with tabs each year until 1960 and with stickers thereafter, while all "Pacific Wonderland" plates were revalidated with stickers.
1956–59 As above, but without "56"
1960–63 As above, but with shorter dies for the numbers, state name and month of expiration "PACIFIC WONDERLAND" at bottom
1964–73 Embossed golden yellow numbers on blue plate; border line around plate and around registration year sticker spot at bottom right; "OREGON" centered at bottom; month of expiration at bottom left none ABC 123 First letter corresponds to month of expiration Letters A through M (excluding I) were used for January through December respectively.
1973–85 Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate; border line around plate and around registration year sticker spot at bottom right; "OREGON" centered at bottom; month of expiration at bottom left none ABC 123 First letter corresponds to month of expiration Serials for each month continued from where the 1964–73 plates left off.
1985 –
June
1988		 As above, but without month of expiration and sticker spot border line ABC 123 NAA 001 to PDM 999 Month coding discontinued.
July
1988 – November 1989		 Embossed dark blue numbers on mountain skyline with pale lavender mountains, light khaki sky and pale green Douglas Fir in the center; "Oregon" screened in pale blue serifed letters centered at top none ABC 123 PDN 001 to QNL 999 Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1988 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Oregon was so honored.
November 1989 – February 2004 Embossed dark blue numbers on mountain skyline with lavender mountains, light blue sky and dark green Douglas Fir in the center; "Oregon" screened in dark blue serifed letters centered at top none ABC 123 QNM 001 to ZZZ 999 Same design as previous, but with the colors changed in response to public criticism of the original colors.[3]
February 2004 – present 123 ABC 001 BAA to 999 LBH (as of October 5, 2018) No change to design or colors. Serials in this format with 'A' as the first letter were skipped to avoid confusion with optional Oregon Trail plates.

Optional plates

Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Oregon Trail 1993–2000 Black on blue, yellow and green background. Embossed serials. 123 ABC 001 AAA to 999 ASZ Featured a Covered Wagon print. Printing of plates to this design ceased in 1998,[4] but the design continued to be issued to vehicle owners requesting it until the supply of pre-printed plates ran out, circa early 2000.[5]
Salmon 1998–present Dark blue on multicolored background. Embossed serials. S/L 12345 S/L 00001 to present $30 surcharge supports the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and is charged at each renewal time (every two years). First available in February 1998, the Salmon design has been less popular than had been expected, and by 2002 had only raised about one-third as much revenue as originally predicted.[6]
Crater Lake Centennial 2002–present White on multicolored background. Surface-printed serials. C/L 12345 C/L 00001 to C/L 99999 Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2002 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Oregon was so honored. Surcharge supports Crater Lake National Park.
C/K 12345 C/K 00001 to C/K 99999
C/A 12345 C/A 00001 to C/A 99999
C/B 12345 C/B 00001 to present
Cultural Trust 2006–present Black on multicolored background. Embossed serials. C/U 12345 C/U 00001 to present Surcharge supports the Oregon Cultural Trust.
Pacific Wonderland 2009–present Gold on blue. Embossed serials. 9A-1234 9P-0001 to present Special re-issue of 1960–63 passenger base to celebrate Oregon's 150 years of statehood. Surcharge supports the Oregon State Capitol Foundation and the Oregon Historical Society. Originally limited to 40,000 plates; increased to 80,000 in 2015. Currently issuing 9W series.
Higher Education 2005–present As current passenger base, but with school logo replacing two left-most serials. Embossed serials. A BCD Surcharge supports the school of choice. Available for EOU, OSU, U of O, U of P, and Willamette.
Share the Road 2008–present White and yellow text on blue background. Surface-printed serials. ABCD Surcharge supports the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and Cycle Oregon.
Wine Country May 14, 2012[7] – present White text on multi-colored background. Surface-printed serials. W/C 12345 W/C 00001 to present Surcharge supports "agricultural and culinary tourism".[7]
Keep Kids Safe October 16, 2012 – early 2015 White text on blue burst background with two children in front of red heart. Surface-printed serials. ABCD Surcharge supported child abuse prevention programs. Production discontinued October 31, 2014 due to low sales.
Portland Trail Blazers September 1, 2016 – present Black on white background, with Trail Blazer colors around border. Embossed serials. T/B 12345 T/B 00001 to present The design includes the Trail Blazers pin wheel between the stacked TB and the numbers, 'ripcity' at the bottom and red, black and gray stripes at the top. Also available as a vanity plate and as an amateur radio operator (ham) plate.

There are also special plates available for special interest vehicles, antique vehicles, veterans, and various service clubs.

Non-passenger plates

Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Amateur Radio Operator Serial begins with 'A', 'K', 'W' or 'N' Reflects call letters issued to amateur radio operators by the FCC These plates can be issued on the optional Salmon, Crater Lake and Cultural Trust designs. They were also issued on the Oregon Trail design.
Amateur Radio Operator – Motorcycle/Moped Serial begins with 'A', 'K', 'W' or 'N' Reflects call letters issued to amateur radio operators by the FCC
Apportioned Truck 1975 to present Blue on gold with "APPORTIONED" at bottom Y123456 Y000001 to present Issued to trucks based in Oregon that operate interstate and have a GVW of 26,000 pounds or less. Trucks are not subject to Oregon's weight mile tax.


 White on red or black on white with "APPORTIONED" at bottom and "DOT" or "PUC" at upper right corner YABC123 YAAA001 to present Issued to trucks based in Oregon that operate interstate and have a GVW of more than 26,000 pounds. Trucks are subject to Oregon's weight mile tax.
Apportioned Trailer 1975 to ? Blue on gold with "APPORTIONED" at bottom Z123456 Z000001 to present Issued to trailers based in Oregon that operate interstate. May have been discontinued in favor of the Heavy Permanent license plate.
Bus Orange on aluminum with "OREGON" at top B 123
B 1-234		 Issued to buses designed and used for carrying passengers, baggage and express for compensation. Also any vehicle with a registration weight of more than 10,000 pounds (e.g. church bus, private school bus, worker bus, etc.) that is primarily used for carrying passengers. Also bus trailer.


 Blue on gold with "OREGON" at top B 1-234
B 1234
B 12345
B012345
Camper before 1973 White on black with "CAMPER" at bottom K123456 K700001 to approx. K760000 Issued to “camper” which is a structure with a floor designed to be mounted upon a motor vehicle but not permanently attached.
1973 to ? Blue on gold with "CAMPER" at bottom K760001 to approx. K790000
Blue on gold with sticker box at top and "Oregon" at bottom K790001 to approx. K810000
? to present Blue on gold with "Oregon" at top K810001 to present


 Charitable/Non-Profit 1989 to present Blue on gold C/N 12345 C/N 00001 to present Issued to qualifying trucks or buses owned and used by charitable or nonprofit organizations.
Coach
Commercial Truck 1966 to 1973 Orange on aluminum T123456 T200001 to approx. T346500 Issued to trucks that only operate within Oregon and have a GVW of 26,000 pounds or less.


 1974 to present Blue on gold Approx. T346501 to present
White on red or black on white with "COMMERCIAL" at bottom and "DOT" or "PUC" at upper right corner YCBC123 YCAA001 to present Issued to trucks that only operate within Oregon and have a GVW of more than 26,000 pounds.




 Dealer Blue on gold or black on silver D/A 1234
D/A 1234A
D/A 1234A/B
D/A 1234AB
D/L 1234
D/L 1234A
D/L 1234AB		 Issued to dealers with current business license.
Dealer – Motorcycle/Moped/
Snowmobile/ATV		 Blue on gold or black on silver Issued to dealers with current business license.






 Disabled Person
Disabled Veteran 1973 – early 1990s Blue on gold with "PERMANENT" at top, "VETERAN" at right and wheelchair under 'D' prefix D12345 D00001 to approximately D06000 Serials continue on from those on the blue-on-gold plates, with D/1 99 99 followed by D/2 00 00, D/2 99 99 followed by D/3 00 00, etc.
As above, but with no wheelchair D06001 to approximately D10000
As above, but with "PERMANENT" at bottom D10001 to approximately D18000
early 1990s – present 1989 Douglas Fir graphic with "PERMANENT" at bottom and "VETERAN" at right D/1 23 45 D/1 80 01 to present
Ex-POW Issued to persons qualifying as former prisoners of war.
Ex-POW – Motorcycle/Moped Issued to persons qualifying as former prisoners of war.


 Farm Vehicle before 1965 Various colors on aluminum with date stamped at top F12-345 F10-000 and above For use on motor vehicles used in farm operations.
1965–72 Orange on aluminum with sticker box at bottom F10-000 to approximately
F71-500
1973–present Blue on gold with sticker box at bottom F71-501 to
F99-999
F123456 F100000 to present
For-Rent






Government Exempt
Government Exempt – Motorcycle/Moped A version of the above Government Exempt License Plate for motorcycles






 Heavy Fixed Load H/F 12345
Heavy Trailer H/T 12345
and
H/T 12-345		 Issued to trailers having a loaded weight over 8,000 pounds.
Heavy Trailer - Permanent Blue on gold with "PERMANENT" at bottom H/P 12345 H/P 00001 to 99999 Issued to trailers having a loaded weight over 8,000 pounds. Permanent version of H/T.

In the current series format, H/P 99999 was followed by H/Q 00001, H/Q 99999 was followed by H/R 00001, and so on, skipping H/T.
H/Q 12345 H/Q 00001 to 99999
H/R 12345 H/R 00001 to 99999
H/S 12345 H/S 00001 to 99999


 H/U 12345 H/U 00001 to 99999
H/V 12345 H/V 00001 to present


 Light Fixed Load L/F 12345
Low-Speed Vehicle L/S 12345 L/S 00001 to present Issued to four-wheeled vehicles, generally electric-powered
Medium-Speed Vehicle M/S 12345 M/S 00001 to present Issued to a four-wheeled electrical vehicle that is equipped with a roll cage or a crushproof body design with a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour.
Mobile Home
Moped 1980s – present Blue on gold M/P 12345 M/P 00001 to present Issued to two or three wheeled cycle or bicycle with independent power source with engine size less than 50 cubic centimeters.


 Motor Home Blue on gold H123456 H900001 to H999999
H100001 to approx. H135000
Oregon Trail base H800001 to approx. H809999
H/C 12345 H/C 00001 to approx. 17999


 Blue on gold H/C 99999 to 18000 (issued in reverse)
H/D 12345 H/D 00001 to present
Motorcycle 1968–70 White on blue with sticker box at bottom 12345 1 to approximately 85000 White-on-blue and gold-on-blue plates are still valid and may be renewed. In the current serial format, M/2 99999 was followed by M/3 00000, M/3 99999 was followed by M/4 00000 and so on.
M12345 M85001 to approximately M90000
1970–72 Gold on blue with sticker box at bottom M12345
M123456		 M90001 to approximately M188000
1973–75 Blue on gold with sticker box at bottom M123456 M188001 to approximately M199999
M/1 23456 M/2 00000 to approximately M/2 55000
1975–present As above, but without sticker box M/2 55001 to present
National Guard N/G12 345 N/G00 001 to present Issued to current active members of the Oregon National Guard.
Old Timer 1952–54 Black on aluminum with "OLD TIMER" at left A-123 A-1 to approximately
A-636		 Issued to any vehicle that is older than half the number of years between 1900 and the current year (so, in 2017, any vehicle that dates from 1958 or before). Black-on-aluminum Old Timer plates were revalidated with tabs until 1955, while gold-on-blue versions were revalidated with tabs until 1960, then with stickers until 1964.
1955–59 Gold on blue with "OLD TIMER" at left A-123 A-1 to A-999
1-234 1-000 to approximately
2-100
1960–63 As above, but with "PACIFIC WONDERLAND" at bottom 2-101 to approximately
3-000
Historic Vehicle 1964–72 Gold on blue with "HISTORIC VEHICLE" at left 3-001 to approximately
6-000
1973 – early 1980s Blue on gold with "HISTORIC VEHICLE" at left 6-001 to approximately
8-500
early 1980s – late 1980s 1234 8501 to 9999
Antique Vehicle late 1980s – late 1990s Blue on gold with "ANTIQUE VEHICLE" at top A/Q 12345 A/Q 00001 to approximately A/Q 02000
late 1990s – present As above, but with "ANTIQUE VEHICLE" at bottom A/Q 02001 to present
Permanent Fleet 1973 to ? Blue on gold with "PERMANENT FLEET" at top P/F 12345 P/F 00001 to approximately P/F 27000 Issued to owners of a fleet of vehicles registered as a fleet rather than individually.
? to ? As above, but with small numbers "PERMANENT FLEET" at bottom P/F 27001 to approximately P/F 30000
? to present As above, but with tall numbers again P/F 30001 to present
School Bus Blue on gold, "SCHOOL BUS" over "OREGON" S/C 12345 S/C 00001 to present
Blue on gold, "OREGON" over "SCHOOL BUS"
Special Use Trailer S/T 12345 S/T 00001 to present


Special Interest Blue on gold S/P 12345 S/P 00001 to present
Tow Truck T/W 12345 T/W 00001 to present Issued to individuals who tow vehicles not owned by them in tow and recovery operations for direct or indirect compensation. Also issued to businesses which must transport damaged, disabled or abandoned vehicles.
Transporter TR 123
TR 123A
TR 123AB
Travel Trailer ? to 1970s White on seafoam green with "ORE" in left corner and "TRAVEL TRAILER" at bottom R123456 R400001 to approximately R490000

1970s to 1980s As above, but with colors changed to blue on gold R490001 to approximately R600000


 1980s to 2000s Colors as above, but with "TRAVEL TRAILER" removed from plate and replaced with "OREGON" at bottom R600001 to approximately R750000
1993 to 1999 Oregon Trail base R980001 to approximately R999999
2000s to present Blue on gold with tall numbers and "OREGON" at top R750001 to present
Utility Trailer 1979 to ? Blue on gold with "TRAILER" at bottom U123456 U000001 to approx. U041000 Issued to trailers having loaded weight of 8,000 pounds or less.
Blue on gold with "OREGON" at bottom U041001 to approx. U110000
Black on light khaki sky "dead tree" design U110001 to approx. U140000
Black on blue sky dark green tree design with small numbers U140001 to approx. U350000
? to present Same as above, but with tall numbers U350001 to present

References

  1. ↑ "Old Oregon License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  2. ↑ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. ↑ Goetze, Janet (October 11, 1989). "Oregon plates are getting brighter: '89 Legislature agreed to alter color scheme". The Oregonian, p. B6.
  4. ↑ Boone, Jerry (January 5, 1998). "New traffic rules for '98 multiply". The Oregonian, p. B4.
  5. ↑ Oliver, Gordon (November 19, 1999). "Oregon Trail license plates going fast". The Oregonian, p. C6.
  6. ↑ Martins, Cheryl (January 18, 2002). "License plate goal looks like fish tale". The Oregonian, p. D1.
  7. 1 2 "Handbook updated for May 2012" (PDF). Dealer Details. Oregon Department of Transportation. Spring 2012. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2018. the new Wine Country registration plates ... have been available to the public since May 14, 2012


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