A trip permit grants authority to temporarily operate a vehicle on the highways of this state under circumstances where the operation would not otherwise be legal because the vehicle is not registered by this state or because provisions relating to the vehicle’s registration do not allow the operation. The Department of Transportation shall provide for the issuance of trip permits in a manner consistent with this section. All of the following apply to permits issued under this section:

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(1) The department shall issue the following types of trip permits to authorize the described type of operation and, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, may not issue trip permits for any other purpose:

(a) A heavy motor vehicle trip permit may be issued for the following vehicles that are not registered in this state:

(A) Motor vehicles with a combined weight or loaded weight of more than 10,000 pounds;

(B) Truck tractors that are more than 8,000 pounds; or

(C) Fixed load motor vehicles.

(b) A permit described in paragraph (a) of this subsection is valid for 10 consecutive days.

(c) A heavy trailer trip permit may be issued for a trailer that will be operated on the highways at a loaded weight of more than 8,000 pounds or that is a fixed load vehicle, and that is not registered to allow operation of the vehicle in this state. A permit described in this paragraph is valid for 10 consecutive days. This paragraph does not apply to travel trailers.

(d) A light vehicle trip permit may be issued for a vehicle with a combined weight or loaded weight of less than 10,001 pounds that is not a fixed load vehicle and that is not registered to allow operation of the vehicle in this state. Permits described in this paragraph may be issued for a period of 21 consecutive days. The department may not issue more than two permits under this paragraph in a 12-month period for any one vehicle unless all registered owners of the vehicle are replaced by new owners. If there is a complete change in ownership of the vehicle, as shown by the registration records for the vehicle, a new owner may receive permits for the vehicle under this paragraph as if no permits had been issued for the vehicle. This paragraph does not apply to campers, travel trailers or motor homes, which are eligible for recreational vehicle trip permits under paragraph (e) of this subsection.

(e) A recreational vehicle trip permit may be issued for a period of up to 10 consecutive days for a camper, travel trailer or motor home that is not registered for operation in this state. A person buying a recreational vehicle trip permit must show proof satisfactory to the department that the person is the owner of the camper, travel trailer or motor home for which the permit will be granted. A person may not receive recreational vehicle trip permits authorizing more than 10 days of operation in any 12-month period. The department may determine by rule the method for ensuring a person has not exceeded the maximum number of days of operation allowed by the permit.

(f) A registration weight trip permit may be issued for a vehicle that is registered in this state, to allow the vehicle to be operated with a greater combined weight or loaded weight than is permitted by the registration weight established for the vehicle or at a greater combined weight or loaded weight than is otherwise permitted under the registration for the vehicle if the vehicle is not required to establish a registration weight. A permit issued under this paragraph does not authorize movements or operations for which a variance permit is required under ORS § 818.200. A permit issued under this paragraph shall show the maximum registration weight allowed for operation under the permit. A permit issued under this paragraph is valid for 10 consecutive days.

(g) A registered vehicle trip permit may be issued for a vehicle that is registered in this state to allow the vehicle to operate under conditions or in ways not permitted by the terms of the vehicle registration. The department shall determine by rule the kinds of operation for which permits may be issued under this paragraph. A permit issued under this paragraph is valid for 10 consecutive days.

(2) The department shall allow a person issued a vehicle dealer certificate under ORS § 822.020 or a towing business certificate under ORS § 822.205 to issue a 10-day trip permit to a person who buys a motor vehicle from the person with the certificate if the registration stickers are removed in accordance with ORS § 803.565. The following apply to trip permits issued under this subsection:

(a) A permit issued under this subsection allows operation of the motor vehicle in this state for the purpose of registering the vehicle.

(b) A permit issued under this subsection is valid for a period of 10 consecutive days.

(c) A person with a vehicle dealer certificate or a towing business certificate may not issue more than two permits under this subsection for the same motor vehicle.

(3) The following requirements for records are established concerning permits issued under this section:

(a) Any carrier regulated by the department shall maintain records of heavy motor vehicle and heavy trailer trip permits and registration weight trip permits issued to the carrier as required by the department by rule.

(b) Requirements for the department to maintain records concerning trip permits are established under ORS § 802.200.

(4) An owner or operator of a vehicle may obtain a trip permit. The fees for issuance of trip permits are as provided under ORS § 803.645.

(5) The department shall make the trip permits available to all field offices and agents maintained by the department and may make arrangements for the issuance of the permits by designated individuals, firms or associations for the convenience of the motoring public. This subsection does not require the department to make trip permits described in subsection (2) of this section available to anyone other than persons with vehicle dealer certificates or towing business certificates.

(6) The department may also sell heavy motor vehicle, heavy trailer and registration weight trip permits in advance of issuance to contractors, transportation companies and other users for issuance to their own vehicles or vehicles under their control.

(7) The department shall adopt rules for the issuance, sale and control of trip permits.

(8) Trip permits are not required for the operation of unregistered vehicles where such operation is permitted as follows:

(a) By vehicle dealers as permitted under ORS § 822.040.

(b) By vehicle transporters as permitted under ORS § 822.310.

(c) By towing businesses as permitted under ORS § 822.210.

(9) Trip permits are not required for the operation of unregistered vehicles where such operation is permitted under ORS § 803.305.

(10) Unregistered vehicles that are operated without a trip permit are subject to the prohibitions and penalties for operation of unregistered vehicles under ORS § 803.300 or 803.315, as appropriate.

(11) A trip permit may be issued to a school vehicle registered under ORS § 805.050 for use of the vehicle for purposes not permitted under ORS § 805.050. [1983 c.338 § 272; 1985 c.16 § 111; 1985 c.313 § 4; 1985 c.547 § 16; 1989 c.723 § 13; 1991 c.284 § 19; 1991 c.360 § 4; 1991 c.407 § 29; 1993 c.174 § 9; 1995 c.733 § 86; 1997 c.421 § 1; 2001 c.412 § 1; 2003 c.600 § 3; 2003 c.655 § 117; 2007 c.50 § 3; 2019 c.312 § 29]