(1) The Department of Transportation shall notify the registered owner of a vehicle registered by this state of the approaching expiration of the vehicle’s registration. The notice required by this subsection shall comply with all of the following:

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(a) The notice shall be mailed to the owner of the vehicle at the postal address shown in department records. Upon request of the registered owner the department may provide notice by electronic mail or other means.

(b) The notice shall be provided a reasonable time before expiration date of the registration.

(2) The department shall not be required to notify the registered owner of an approaching expiration if the department has reason to believe:

(a) The vehicle has been sold, wrecked or stolen;

(b) The registered owner is ineligible to renew the registration;

(c) There is a dispute with regard to the title of the vehicle; or

(d) The registered owner failed to notify the department of a change of address as required by ORS § 803.220.

(3) Failure to receive notice of expiration from the department is not a defense to a charge of driving with an expired vehicle registration. However, the court may dismiss the charge if the owner registers the vehicle before the scheduled court appearance.

(4) Department records concerning notice under this section are subject to ORS § 802.210. [1983 c.338 § 233; 1985 c.253 § 5; 1989 c.43 § 25; 1993 c.751 § 91; 1995 c.733 § 85; 2015 c.404 § 3]