Oregon Traffic Violation Records

Traffic violation records in Oregon are maintained by the Oregon Department of Transportation's Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division (DMV). These records document a driver's history of traffic offenses such as parking violations, failure to use a seatbelt, driving uninsured, failure to obey traffic control devices, and speeding. Of these violations, speeding is the most common violation. More than 10.83% of drivers in the state have a prior speeding violation on their driving record, a figure slightly higher than the 10.54% national average.

Although Oregon does not use a demerit point system to track speeding and other traffic violations, the state maintains a record of past convictions on its driving histories. Repeated speeding violations may lead to license suspension or revocation.

Are Traffic Violations Records Public in Oregon?

Under the Oregon Public Records Law codified under ORS 192.311 to 192.478, many records maintained by government agencies, including driving and traffic violation records, are accessible to the public. However, personal information contained in traffic violation records, such as driver's address, Social Security number, and date of birth, is protected and not disclosed without proper authorization.

In addition, traffic records maintained by the court, such as traffic crimes considered misdemeanors and felonies, are also available to the public under the Oregon Public Records Law. Traffic crimes in Oregon may be handled by the justice, municipal, or circuit courts.

How To Look Up Traffic Tickets in Oregon?

You may look up traffic tickets online via the Oregon Judicial Department Online Records Search portal. To start, visit the portal homepage, select the "Advanced Filtering Search" and then click the citation number under the "Filter by Search Type" option. After, enter the "citation number" in the citation number field. Also, although the Oregon OJD Courts ePay portal allows traffic violators to pay their fines, you may use the service to find the amount due for a citation. To find your citation, you will need the citation or case number, or your name and date of birth.

Alternatively, you may use a third-party service such as the one provided by PublicRecord.us to look up traffic tickets in Oregon.

Where Do I Pay Traffic Violations?

Oregon offers the following methods for traffic fine payment:

• Online via the Oregon Judicial Department Portal: You may pay your traffic ticket online by visiting the Oregon Judicial Department's OJD Courts ePay portal. The portal accepts credit and debit cards. Several courts also have payment options available on their websites. For example, the City of West Linn allows traffic violators in the jurisdiction to pay their fines via its municipal court's website. Also, the City of Salem and the City of Brookings partner with third-party services to allow violators to pay local traffic fines.
• By Mail: To pay by mail, send a check or money order to the court listed on your citation. Make sure to include your citation or case number, your full name, and a copy of the ticket if possible. Payments should be made payable to the court, not the Oregon DMV.
• In Person: You may visit the courthouse in the county where the citation was issued and pay at the clerk's office. Most courts accept cash, checks, credit cards, debit cards, and money orders, although payment methods may vary.
• By Phone: Some courts in Oregon accept payments by phone. You can call the number provided on your citation or check the court's website for payment instructions. Credit card payments are usually accepted for phone transactions.

How Much Does It Cost To Request Your Driving Records Online?

The Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services issues different types of driving records:

• 3-year non-employment driving record (certified): This includes details such as accidents, diversion information, and convictions not in the employment driving record. It costs $1.50
• Open-ended non-employment driving record (certified): Available to insurers and insurance support organizations. An individual may request their own insurance abstract to obtain an insurance discount. This record includes details such as accidents occurring in Oregon involving the driver, diversion agreements, and convictions not in the employment driving record. It costs $1.50.
• 3-year employment driving record (certified): It includes accidents, convictions, and CDL entries. It costs $2 or $1.50 if the record cannot be found.
• Certified court print: For a 10-year record, the details provided include convictions for major traffic offenses, CDL entries, diversion agreements, and alcohol rehab entries. For a five-year record, the details provided include accidents, convictions for minor offenses, suspension, cancellations, and revocations. Each record costs $3 or $1.50 if the record cannot be found.

Requests for Oregon driving records may be made online via the Oregon DMV2U portal or by mail using a completed DMV 7266 form submitted to:

What Are Moving and Non-Moving Violations in Oregon?

A moving violation occurs in Oregon when a traffic law is broken while a vehicle is moving or in motion. These types of violations are taken seriously and are recorded on a driver's record. Accumulating multiple violations may lead to restricted driving privileges or suspension. Examples of moving violations include:

• Speeding
• Improper lane changes
• DUI
• Reckless or careless driving
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Tailgating

A non-moving violation happens when the vehicle is stationary or the offense does not involve the vehicle being in motion. These usually result in fines but are less severe and do not lead to driving restrictions unless they are part of a pattern of violations. Examples of non-moving violations in Oregon include:

• Parking violations
• Expired registration or tags
• Seatbelt violations
• Broken or non-working lights
• Obstructed or missing license plates

How Long Does DUII Stay on Your Record in Oregon?

DUII (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants) convictions remain on driver records for 55 years but on criminal records for a lifetime. Every year in Oregon, about 25,000 individuals are arrested for DUII. Also, 40% of all traffic deaths are a direct result of people driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances.

The state punishes DUII convictions in the following ways:

• First-Time DUII Offense (Misdemeanor)
• Jail Time: 48 hours to 1 year (or 80 hours of community service in lieu of jail).
• Fines: Minimum $1,000 (up to $6,250 depending on BAC or presence of a minor in the vehicle).
• License Suspension: 1-year suspension.
• Ignition Interlock Device (IID): Required for 1 year after suspension ends.
• Drug/Alcohol Evaluation and Treatment: Mandatory.
• Victim Impact Panel: Attendance required.
• Probation: Up to 2 years.
• Second DUII Offense (Within 10 Years)
• Jail Time: Minimum 20 to 60 days, up to 1 year.
• Fines: Minimum $1,500 (up to $6,250).
• License Suspension: 3 years.
• IID: Required for 2 years after suspension.
• Other Requirements: Same as a first offense but with stricter enforcement.
• Third DUII Offense (Felony if within 10 years of previous offenses)
• Jail/Prison Time: Up to 5 years in state prison.
• Fines: Up to $125,000.
• License Revocation: Lifetime revocation (though some may petition for reinstatement after 10 years).
• IID: Indefinite, if driving privileges are restored.
• Mandatory Treatment and Monitoring: Required

What Are the Penalties for Breaking the Speed Limit in Oregon?

Oregon follows the Basic Speed Rule (ORS 811.100), which requires drivers to travel at speeds that are reasonable and prudent, considering traffic, road conditions, weather, and other safety factors. The state also sets statutory speed limits on certain roads and areas such as:

• Interstate highways (rural areas): 70 mph (cars) or 65 mph (trucks)
• Interstate highways (urban areas): 55-65 mph
• Other rural highways: 55-65 mph
• Residential areas: 25 mph
• Business districts: 20-25 mph
• School zones (when children are present): 20 mph
• Alleys: 15 mph

Speeding violations in Oregon are considered Class A through D traffic violations, depending on how fast you over the limit the violator travels:

• 1-10 mph over the limit
• Class D Violation
• Fine: Presumptive fine of $115, with a minimum of $65 and a maximum of $250.
• 11-20 mph over the limit
• Class C Violation
• Fine: Presumptive fine of $165, with a minimum of $85 and a maximum of $500
• 21-30 mph over the limit
• Class B Violation
• Fine: Presumptive fine of $265, with a minimum of $135 and a maximum of $1,000.
• 31+ mph over the limit
• Class A Violation
• Fine: Presumptive fine of $440, with a minimum of $225 and a maximum of $2,000.

In addition to paying fines, individuals caught speeding in Oregon may face several other consequences. These include an increase in auto insurance premiums, as insurance companies often view speeding violations as indicators of risky driving behavior. Depending on the severity of the offense, such as driving more than 100 miles per hour or repeated violations, drivers may also face a suspension of their driving privileges.

Furthermore, although Oregon does not use a point system like some other states, each traffic violation is still recorded on the driver's official record maintained by the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV). Accumulating too many violations over a certain period can lead to further penalties, such as mandatory driver improvement courses or even license suspension.

For extreme speeding or reckless driving, the offense could escalate from a violation to a misdemeanor, potentially leading to jail time, especially if the act resulted in an accident or endangered others.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Oregon?

In Oregon, a speeding ticket remains on your driving record for five years from the date of the violation.

How To Appeal A Traffic Ticket?

You may fight an Oregon traffic ticket in the following ways:

• Request a Court Hearing: After receiving a traffic citation, you may plead "not guilty" and arrange for a court appearance to contest the ticket within a judicial setting.
• Challenge the Observations of the Officer: Present evidence or arguments suggesting that the officer may have misinterpreted the events. For instance, you may claim their view was obstructed or that their perception of your actions, such as speeding or making an improper lane change, was inaccurate.
• Assert an Honest Mistake: In certain cases, you may argue that you made a reasonable error due to unclear signage or challenging road conditions. For example, you may state that a speed limit sign was obscured from view, making adherence difficult.
• Provide Justification for Your Actions: If you can demonstrate that the violation of a traffic rule was necessary to prevent harm, such as swerving to avoid a collision or accelerating in response to a medical emergency, this may serve as a valid defense.
• Dispute the Accuracy of Equipment: Question the reliability or calibration of the devices used to issue the citation, such as radar guns or red-light cameras, potentially casting doubt on the validity of the charge.

Although you may defend yourself in court, you should consider hiring a traffic attorney if the citation involves serious charges such as reckless driving, DUII, excessive speeding, or driving without a valid license. Legal representation is also advisable if you have prior traffic offenses, if the consequences could include license suspension, or if you are unsure how to navigate the court process effectively. Hiring an experienced traffic attorney may help in negotiating with the court and potentially reduce your fines.

How To Resolve an Out-of-State Traffic Ticket?

Oregon participates in the Driver License Compact, an agreement among U.S. states to exchange information about driver license suspensions and traffic violations. Hence, if you commit a traffic offense in another DLC state, Oregon may be notified, and the offense may be added to your Oregon driving record if the offense is equivalent to a violation under Oregon law.

You may fight an out-of-state traffic ticket in the following ways:

• Carefully Review the Citation: Begin your defense by reading the traffic ticket thoroughly. Pay attention to the listed charges, the response deadline, instructions for contesting the citation, and the contact details of the issuing authority.
• Contact the Issuing Court or Agency: Reach out to the court or traffic enforcement office in the state where the ticket was issued. They may provide specific information on how to respond and explain available options for disputing the violation.
• Request a Remote Hearing or Submit a Written Declaration: Many jurisdictions allow drivers to contest traffic citations without appearing in person, either through a virtual court hearing or by submitting a written affidavit or declaration. Ask the issuing court if these alternatives are available.
• Hire a Local Traffic Attorney: Consider hiring a lawyer in the state where the ticket was issued. A local attorney familiar with that state's traffic laws may be able to represent you in court, negotiate reduced penalties, or have the charges dismissed.
• Gather and Submit Supporting Evidence: Collect any relevant evidence that supports your case. This may include photographs, witness statements, GPS data, repair receipts, or other documentation that helps fight the ticket.

How Do Oregon Traffic Laws Differ From Other States?

While Oregon traffic laws are generally similar to those in other U.S. states, there are a few notable differences:

• No Point System: Unlike most states, Oregon does not use a driver's license point system to track violations. Instead, repeat offenses and the seriousness of the violations are directly monitored by the DMV. Accumulating too many violations within a certain timeframe may still result in license suspension or other penalties.
• Photo Radar Enforcement: Oregon allows cities to use photo radar (automated speed enforcement) in certain areas, like school zones and high-risk intersections. Not all states use this technology or have specific laws permitting or regulating its use.
• Strict Cell Phone and Distracted Driving Laws: Oregon has tough laws against distracted driving. Handheld use of a phone while driving is banned, and fines for violations can be steep, especially for repeat offenses.
• Per ORS 311.346, it is illegal to drive in a two-way left turn lane except when preparing for a left turn. Drivers must enter the lane just before making their turn and wait for traffic to clear before proceeding. They may also turn into the lane from a side street or driveway, but must wait until it is safe to merge right. The lane cannot be used to bypass traffic, pass vehicles, or merge into traffic at higher speeds.
• In Oregon, you may only pass another vehicle on a two-lane road by using the left side and only within a marked passing zone. You must complete the pass before entering a no-passing zone, and you cannot exceed the speed limit while doing so. Passing on the shoulder is strictly prohibited.