OK, so after much confusion about how to become a legitimate Oregon citizen, I figured I would write up my experience in case others are lost as well. When we first moved here we were trying to determine the rules on how to register a 49cc scooter. I also purchased a 125cc scooter when I arrived here. Of course, we still needed to register our passenger vehicles to get new plates, and finally, we needed to get new drivers licenses.

First things first, here is the actual Oregon DMV website. I found like three or four that seemed legit, but the DMV will tell you that they only update one site. Here is the link you will need to do your own research. http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/

So here is what I learned. In Oregon, if you have a 49cc scooter or moped you need to have plates for it.  That was not the case in Missouri, as you did not need anything for a 49cc there.  Not even insurance. So here is what you will need to register your different vehicles.

MOPEDS / SCOOTERS / MOTORCYCLES

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/driverid/driver_manuals.shtml#motorcycle

49cc Scooter/Moped

  • Vehicle Title
  • Social Security Card or Passport
  • Valid Drivers License
  • Proof of Residency (Utility Bill)
  • Check book

50cc+

If you are getting something above a 50cc (like my 125cc) you will need to get a motorcycle endorsement in order to legally drive it in Oregon.  You can still get plates, (even custom plates if you you want) but you will still not be able to drive until you have completed two more steps.

First you will need to take a written test that shows you know your stuff.  Once you have passed this, you are still not legally allowed to drive by yourself.  Just passing the written portion gives you the equivelant to a learners permit.  You are only allowed to ride if you are accompanied by an Oregon motorcycle endoresed citizen who is above 21 years of age, and even then, you can only ride during the day.

To become fully endorsed, you will need to wait at least a week after taking the written test so you can go back to the DMV to take the skills test.  This is just what it sounds like.  You will need to show them you can ride.  Once you have passed both tests, you will get your endorsement and you will legally be allowed to ride.

Since this all sounded like a pain to me, I found out that you can SKIP BOTH OF THESE TESTS if you take a class at a local college.  The TEAM OREGON program has something called a Basic Rider Training (BRT) course that you can take (costs about $175) where you will will be trained by a professional on how to ride a motorcycle.  The course is three days long.  The first day is 6 hours and you sit and learn.  The next two days are about five hours each, and you learn to actually ride.

Once you pass that class you will get a card that last for 2 years.  You can take that card to the DMV and they will waive both the tests (and their fees) and you can skip right to getting your endorsement.  Pretty sweet if you ask me, and it never hurts to get some professional training!

PASSENGER VEHICLES

Here is what you will need to bring:

  • Vehicle Title
  • Social Security Card or Passport
  • Valid Drivers License
  • Proof of Residency
  • Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Passing Certificate (Emissions Testing)
  • Check book

One thing that surprised me here is that you do not need to do a safety inspection, or provide proof on insurance.  It is legally required that you have insurance, but you are not required to bring that with you.  They will, from my understanding, check that you have it before the licese plates are generated, though I am not 100% sure how they do that…  so make sure you are insured either way :)

DRIVERS LICENSE

I will assume that you already have a drivers license… so all that you will need to do is bring in the following:

  • Social Security Card or Passport
  • Valid Drivers License
  • Proof of Residency
  • Check book

Oh ya, you will also need to take a knowledge test to prove you know your stuff. If you have ever driven before, it’s pretty easy. There were a couple of ones I got wrong though as I never really knew them. Those were questions about how fast a “slow moving vehicle” is allowed to travel, and how fast you are allowed to travel on a business street if there are no posted speed limit sings. So make sure to study up on those if you do not know them. Those are the only ones I got wrong, so I still passed.

Here is the manuals again, so you can study:

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/driverid/driver_manuals.shtml

They will punch a hole in the top left corner of your out of state license and give it back to you. Then you will get a printed “interim” Oregon drivers license. You will need to carry both your old and new license until Oregon mails you your real license in the mail.

That’s about all I can remember, if I missed anything, or you have any questions… let me know.

Good Luck, and welcome to Oregon!