(1) The Department of Transportation, or persons or agencies authorized to do so by the department, shall conduct a physical inspection of the vehicle identification number or numbers of each vehicle located in this state and required by ORS § 803.210 to be inspected. The department may designate certified dealers and law enforcement agencies, by rule, to perform the inspection and may enter into agreements with the Oregon State Police or other law enforcement agencies of this state to perform inspections for compensation. The inspection shall determine whether the vehicle identification number or numbers match those on the records of the department, on the title or primary ownership record or contained in other information received by the department.

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(2) If a vehicle that is required by ORS § 803.210 to be inspected is located in another jurisdiction, the department may designate a person or agency in such jurisdiction to perform the physical inspection and may waive the inspection fee.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, the department shall check the vehicle identification number or numbers of all vehicles required by ORS § 803.210 to be inspected against those listed as stolen at the National Crime Information Center. If the check indicates the vehicle is stolen, the department:

(a) Shall immediately notify the Oregon State Police or, if the department determines it would be appropriate to do so, notify another law enforcement agency; and

(b) Shall not issue title within 30 days of giving the notice required by paragraph (a) of this subsection unless the department is notified before the end of the 30 days that the vehicle is not stolen. After the passage of the 30-day period, the department may issue the title.

(4) The department may refer a vehicle to the Oregon State Police or other appropriate law enforcement agency for a vehicle identification number or product identification number inspection if:

(a) Inspection of the vehicle under this section reveals that the vehicle identification number or product identification number on the vehicle is different from the number provided to the department or appears to have been tampered with, altered or defaced; or

(b) The vehicle is a reconstructed or assembled vehicle or has been reported destroyed or totaled under ORS § 819.012, 819.014 or 819.030 or is any other salvaged vehicle from another jurisdiction. This subsection does not apply to a vehicle that has been reported totaled to the department because of theft and has subsequently been recovered.

(5) If the department refers a vehicle to a law enforcement agency under subsection (4) of this section, the law enforcement agency shall inspect the vehicle. If the law enforcement agency determines that there is reason to believe that the identification number of the vehicle has been tampered with, altered or forged or that the vehicle is stolen, the law enforcement agency may seize the vehicle and may hold the vehicle until completing an investigation to establish the origin and ownership of the vehicle. The department shall reimburse the Department of State Police, and may reimburse any other law enforcement agency, for any inspections conducted under this subsection in an amount agreed upon by the department and the Department of State Police or other law enforcement agency. [1987 c.146 § 4; 1991 c.576 § 1; 1991 c.820 § 16; 1993 c.233 § 40a; 1993 c.751 § 23; 2007 c.693 § 6; 2023 c.400 § 23]