Vehicle Registration & License Plate Transfers from Chicago to Portland - HELP! (Salem: loan)

[ArtieK]

Moving to Portland at the end of April, and am having a hard time understanding how to transfer my vehicle registration and get new Oregon license plates. It's a 2017 car that still has an outstanding loan amount. I've read DMV website several times, and still can't understand the process clearly (having to get the lender to send a title, getting an emissions test beforehand? After?), Tried calling Salem, and the wait time to talk to the DMV is over 30 minutes.

Is there someone who has gone through it or something already posted that give a simple step-by-step process in 2021?

Thanks!

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by ArtieK

Moving to Portland at the end of April, and am having a hard time understanding how to transfer my vehicle registration and get new Oregon license plates. It's a 2017 car that still has an outstanding loan amount. I've read DMV website several times, and still can't understand the process clearly (having to get the lender to send a title, getting an emissions test beforehand? After?), Tried calling Salem, and the wait time to talk to the DMV is over 30 minutes.

Is there someone who has gone through it or something already posted that give a simple step-by-step process in 2021?

Thanks!

You've read this correct? Straight from the horse's mouth:

https://www.oregon.gov/odot/DMV/docs/trlien.pdf

According to this DMV link, looks as though you need to call your lien holder and tell them you want to register the car in OR. Looks as if OR views them as the owner, not you. Download the necessary forms, fill in what you can, and send them to the lien holder. They actually submit them to the DMV. Emissions testing is required for Portland. Once you arrive there, get the emissions test done and submit the results to your lien holder so they can complete the DMV's application and submit it. You'll need an OR residence address anyway. It can take weeks to get the new title/registration/plates. I'd make a copy of the application your lien holder submits and carry it in the car as proof you're in process.

[cooky01]

If your IL registration is still current, you should be able to use it until you get the OR registration straighten out.


Even though by law you're supposed to get the new one within short period of time, I was able to get by w/ my PA plates for a few months when I first moved here.


Like Parnassia said, make copies so at least you can show you're making an effort and I'm sure you'll be fine even if you do get pulled over for some reason. (due to pandemic the cops aren't supposed to pull over people for simple expired tags)



I didn't have lien on my title though so it was a bit easier for me.
Good luck, and welcome to Oregon!

[ArtieK]

Thanks - just seems like it's a lot more complicated than it needs to be!

[ccjarider]

Don't waste the $ you already spent on your annual IL tag by throwing it away prior to expiration. Drive on the IL plate until it expires and then transfer to an OR plate.
No municipality in Portland area will care on iota.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by ArtieK

Thanks - just seems like it's a lot more complicated than it needs to be!

It really isn't, the approach is slightly different from some other states. In some ways, its simpler...YOU don't submit the forms, your lienholder does. As for getting it smogged, you'd need to do that for many metro locations in other states.