Oregon Special Interest Plates

[johnsonic]

Hey all!

Doing some research into getting special interest plates, would be nice to not have to worry about the DEQ this year, and pretty sure it's a lifetime plate.

Was wondering if anyone has any info on the following:
- They don't check the odometer, but anyone have stories about getting hassled for driving it around town often?
- On the application it reads "It has been sanctioned by an established organization as a vehicle of special interest." Anyone know where I can find these "established organizations"?

Any info would be awesome!
Thanks!

[ShagWagon]

Can you get a Coos Bay PO box and register there?
No emissions here

[72jeeperjoe]

I asked about those plates last time I was at the dmv in dallas where I live (Oregon not Texas) and there response was the plates are for parades and exhibition runs, if a police officer pulls you over and deems that you are just ?pleasure? driving that he will pull your plates and give you a hefty ticket. Personally just move out of a city with deq haha! I?ve never dealt with it and never plan on it haha

[rang-a-stang]

What is DEQ?

[joe]

Have you talked to the OR DMV/DOL? The people that issue them will have all the info you need.
I've never heard of "special interest" plates. In some states historic, vintage or collector car plates etc have usage restrictions like only to car shows/meets, for parades use etc. Oh as mentioned earlier what's the DEQ?

[johnsonic]

Thanks for the replies!

It's Portland, OR...

On the application it says "If certifying this vehicle to be an antique vehicle or special interest vehicle that is not a racing activity vehicle, I certify this vehicle is to be maintained as a collector?s item and used only for exhibitions, parades, club activities and similar functions. I understand it is a crime to operate this vehicle outside of the limitations of the registration provisions as specified in ORS 805.030. Such a crime is a Class D traffic violation and may result in this registration being canceled."

Didn't know if anyone had experience with how picky they were around enforcing this.

Will call DMV next, just didn't know if anyone in the area knew off-hand.

~j

[rang-a-stang]

DEQ is Portland? I thought Portland was PDX...

[johnsonic]

"DEQ is Portland? I thought Portland was PDX..."

Sorry about that - Department of Environmental Quality in Portland.

Only the big population centers need to pass the sniffer in Oregon.

[acct21]

On the application it says "If certifying this vehicle to be an antique vehicle or special interest vehicle that is not a racing activity vehicle, I certify this vehicle is to be maintained as a collector?s item and used only for exhibitions, parades, club activities and similar functions. I understand it is a crime to operate this vehicle outside of the limitations of the registration provisions as specified in ORS 805.030. Such a crime is a Class D traffic violation and may result in this registration being canceled."

Texas has very similar wording in their rules for "Antique" plates.

They will absolutely pull you over if they suspect you are using the vehicle for any other reason. Convictions have been historically difficult to make stick, but the hassle is real...

[ShagWagon]

It's about 3 or 4 dollars a month for a PO box last I checked in Newport or Tillamook. Tell them you have an office there and use it for work.

Probably worth it vs emission testing and all the expenses involved in that game.

[deckside]

"DEQ is Portland? I thought Portland was PDX..."

Sorry about that - Department of Environmental Quality in Portland.

Only the big population centers need to pass the sniffer in Oregon.

Fun Oregon fact: you and your rig don't have to have the same address.

[johnsonic]

Thanks for all the help guys!

[440sixpack]

I have SI plates on all 4 of my collector vehicles. the other nice thing is you can use the correct vintage plate too, if it was ever used in OR you can use it. I love it, $100 one time and forget it.

If you use your rig all the time you're probably going to get nailed. it supposed to be only for parades, car shows or " car club functions " . I'm always on my way to meet with club members if I get checked. which I never have.

I plan to run regular plates on my J10 when it's done because I plan to use it more than my cars.

[JoggerFogger]

I plan on doing this as well. BTW, in the past, I've just put in a county that doesn't require DEQ testing in the "county of use" question on the application. Just because you live in Portland doesn't mean that you can't keep your Jeep in a garage in Enterprise, OR. Or that's where you go with it only. I did this 18 years ago, so my experience might be aged.

Also, vehicles older that 1975 don't have to pass.

I also talked with my buddy that has 6-7 special interest cars, and you just have to have your story straight if you get pulled over. He's done it for 20 years and never even been pulled over.
- I'm on my way to have it serviced. (I just happen to service it at my work).
- I'm going to a Jeep show.
- I'm on my way to get fuel for my Jeep.

If you drive like a normal person you probably won't ever be pulled over. But if you plan on driving it every day to work, then I would suggest just putting in Tillamook, Clatsop, Columbia, Yamhill, or any of the 32 other counties that don't require DEQ. If you're nervous about that, go and register it in a DMV located in the county you're going to claim. The people there are more accustomed to NOT requiring a DEQ test, so they probably won't even blink.

-Kevin

[goldhammer]

The bite for antique plates is it has to be over 1/2 the number of years between 1900 and present, ie. for 2018 it would have to be 59 years old or older.