| Tow/Recovery Vehicles |
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To operate a tow/recovery vehicle as a business in Oregon, the owner of each tow vehicle needs:
- A tow/recovery business certificate issued by DMV;
- Tow Vehicle registration. If the vehicle has a combined weight of 26,001 or more (the empty weight of all vehicles in a combination plus the total weight of the load carried on that combination of vehicles), or is registered on a prorate basis, registration is issued by Motor Carrier Transportation Division (MCTD). If the combined weight is 26,000 pounds or less, it is registered with DMV.
A tow/recovery business certificate and registration are needed if the owner: (ORS 822.200)
- Engages in the towing or recovering of vehicles by any means for any direct or indirect compensation when the vehicle being towed or recovered is owned by a person other than the person performing the towing or recovery activity; or
- Engages in the towing or recovering by any means, as a part of any business operation of the person, vehicles that are wrecked, damaged, disabled, or abandoned or replacement vehicles; or
- Purports, in any way, to be engaged in the business of towing and recovering vehicles. Purports ...to be engaged in..." means to solicit or advertise towing services through the telephone book, business directory, newspaper, radio, television, posting on vehicles, signs, business, billboards, or by any other means. (OAR 735-154-0000)
A person does not need a tow/recovery business certificate and registration if the person is providing assistance to another motorist, whether or not they are compensated, as long as they are not providing assistance as part of their business.
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| Registering & Titling |
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Application: Complete an Application for Title and Registration* and an Application for Tow or Recovery Vehicle Business Certificate, Form 387.
*Note: Vehicles that are registered on a prorated basis may have a title issued in another state. Contact MCTD for more information.
Fees: The fee for the annual Business Certificate is $17. Tow/Recovery vehicle registration fees, if registered with DMV, are calculated using the Tow/Recovery Vehicles Fee Schedule, Form 148. If registering with MCTD, please contact MCTD.
- See fee page for more details on title and plate fees.
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| Plates |
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All Tow/Recovery vehicles are issued plates by DMV for identification, regardless whether they are registered with DMV or MCTD. If the vehicle is registered with MCTD, additional plates are issued by MCTD. All plates issued must be displayed on the vehicle.
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| Related Information |
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