Two Plates, And Nothing Over Them
ORS 803.525 and ORS 803.550 — two plates for most vehicles, and no cover or frame that hides them
Two plates, front and rear. The Department of Transportation issues two registration plates for most vehicles it registers, and only one for a moped, motorcycle, trailer, antique vehicle or vehicle of special interest. Where two are required they are displayed front and rear; where one, on the rear.
The plates have to be in plain view and easily read by the public. Displaying them otherwise, or displaying a plate that does not entitle the holder to drive the vehicle, is failure to display registration plates, a Class D traffic violation.
Nothing that hides them. A plate is illegally altered if it is altered, covered or obscured in any way, including a change of its color, numbers, letters or material, any covering other than a frame or plate holder that changes its appearance, or a frame that makes the numbers, letters or registration stickers unreadable. Knowingly driving or owning a vehicle displaying one is a Class B traffic violation.
A plate is also illegally displayed if it is on a vehicle other than the one it was issued for, or its stickers show an expiration date different from the department's records, unless the person has proof of registration, valid 30 days, and is waiting for new stickers. The court dismisses the charge if proof of registration at the time is delivered to the clerk before the appearance date.
Temporary permits, dealer plates and special interest plates follow their own rules. Whether a particular frame or cover crosses the line is a question for a licensed Oregon attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- ORS 803.525 — Number of plates issued
- ORS 803.540 — Failure to display plates
- ORS 803.550 — Illegal alteration or display of plates
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Oregon attorney.