ORS 801.020
Statements of policy and purpose

  • applicability of vehicle code

This section contains statements of purpose or intent that are applicable to portions of the vehicle code as described in the following:

(1)

The provisions of the vehicle code and other statutory provisions described in this subsection are an exercise of the police powers of this state, and the purpose, object and intent of the sections is to provide a comprehensive system for the regulation of all motor and other vehicles in this state. This subsection is applicable to the following:

(a)

Those provisions of the vehicle code relating to the administration of the Department of Transportation.

(b)

Those provisions of the vehicle code relating to the registration and titling of vehicles.

(c)

Those provisions of the vehicle code relating to the regulation of the businesses of vehicle dealers, dismantlers, vehicle transporters, driver training schools and instructors and the towing and recovery of vehicles.

(d)

Those provisions relating to the transfer and alteration of vehicles.

(2)

It is the policy of this state to promote and encourage the fullest possible use of its highway system by authorizing the making and execution of motor vehicle reciprocal or proportional registration agreements, arrangements and declarations with other states, provinces, territories and countries with respect to vehicles registered in this and such other states, provinces, territories and countries, thus contributing to the economic and social development and growth of this state.

(3)

The provisions described in this subsection shall be applicable and uniform throughout this state and in all political subdivisions and municipalities therein and on the ocean shore which has been or may hereafter be declared a state recreation area. This subsection applies to provisions of the vehicle code relating to abandoned vehicles, vehicle equipment, regulation of vehicle size, weight and load, the manner of operation of vehicles and use of roads by persons, animals and vehicles.

(4)

The provisions of the vehicle code applicable to drivers of vehicles upon the highways shall apply to the drivers of all vehicles owned or operated by the United States, this state or any county, city, district or any other political subdivision of this state, subject to such specific exceptions as are set forth in the vehicle code.

(5)

Except as provided otherwise by federal law, the provisions of the vehicle code shall be applicable and uniform on federal lands within this state.

(6)

Except as provided otherwise by federal law, traffic rules and regulations which are promulgated by a federal authority having jurisdiction over federal lands within this state and which vary from the provisions of the vehicle code shall be the law of the local authority within whose boundaries the federal land is located, and enforceable as such, if:

(a)

Local authorities are authorized to vary in the same manner under the provisions of the vehicle code; and

(b)

Prior approval for the variance has been obtained by the federal authority from the governing body of the local authority within whose boundaries the federal land is located.

(7)

The vehicle code shall govern the construction of and punishment for any vehicle code offense committed after June 27, 1975, the construction and application of any defense to a prosecution for such an offense and any administrative proceedings authorized or affected by the vehicle code.

(8)

When all or part of a vehicle code statute is amended or repealed, the statute or part thereof so amended or repealed remains in force for the purpose of authorizing the accusation, prosecution, conviction and punishment of a person who violated the statute or part thereof before the effective date of the amending or repealing Act.

(9)

The provisions of the vehicle code described in this subsection relating to the operation of vehicles refer exclusively to operation of vehicles upon highways and the ocean shore which has been or may hereafter be declared to be a state recreation area, except where the vehicle code specifically provides otherwise. This subsection applies to the provisions of the vehicle code relating to abandoned vehicles, vehicle equipment, regulation of vehicle size, weight and load, the manner of operation of vehicles and use of roads by persons, animals and vehicles.

(10)

All reciprocity and proportional registration agreements, arrangements and declarations relating to vehicles, in force and effect on August 22, 1969, shall continue in force and effect until specifically amended or revoked as provided by law or by such arrangements or agreements.

(11)

It is hereby declared to be the policy of this state:

(a)

To provide maximum safety for all persons who travel or otherwise use the public highways of this state;

(b)

To deny the privilege of operating motor vehicles on the public highways to persons who by their conduct and record have demonstrated their indifference for the safety and welfare of others and their disrespect for the laws of the state, the orders of its courts and the statutorily required acts of its administrative agencies; and

(c)

To discourage repetition of criminal acts by individuals against the peace and dignity of the state and its political subdivisions and to impose increased and added deprivation of the privilege to operate motor vehicles upon habitual offenders who have been convicted repeatedly of violations of traffic laws.

(12)

If any of the provisions under ORS 818.200 (Authority to issue variance permits) relating to variance permits are found to contravene section 127 of title 23, United States Code, it shall not serve to render inoperative any remaining of such provisions that may be held not to conflict with that federal law. [1983 c.338 §4; 1985 c.16 §4; 2003 c.655 §84b; 2005 c.654 §36]

Source: Section 801.020 — Statements of policy and purpose; applicability of vehicle code, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors801.­html.

Notes of Decisions

This section does not limit application of statutes lying outside of vehicle code to vehicle code offenses. State v. Baty, 243 Or App 77, 259 P3d 98 (2011)

801.010
Short title
801.015
Effect of naming offenses
801.020
Statements of policy and purpose
801.026
General exemptions
801.030
Exemptions from amendments to vehicle code
801.038
Local government regulation of cell phones in motor vehicles
801.040
Authority to adopt special provisions
801.041
Terms and conditions for imposition of registration fee by county
801.042
Terms and conditions for imposition of registration fee by district
801.043
Moneys required by department for initial implementation of registration fees
801.044
County registration fees
801.045
Permissive use of private roadway
801.050
Privilege of motorist to use highways
801.055
Weight standards
801.100
Definitions generally
801.110
“Alley.”
801.115
“Ambulance.”
801.120
“Ambulatory disability.”
801.125
“Antique vehicle.”
801.127
“Arterial.”
801.130
“Assembled vehicle.”
801.133
“Autocycle.”
801.135
“Axle.”
801.140
“Balance trailer.”
801.150
“Bicycle.”
801.155
“Bicycle lane.”
801.160
“Bicycle path.”
801.163
“Biometric data.”
801.165
“Bus trailer.”
801.170
“Business district.”
801.175
“Canceled”
801.180
“Camper.”
801.183
“Certificate of sale.”
801.185
“Certificate of title.”
801.187
“Circulatory roadway.”
801.190
“Class I all-terrain vehicle.”
801.193
“Class II all-terrain vehicle.”
801.194
“Class III all-terrain vehicle” and “Class IV all-terrain vehicle.”
801.197
“Collector.”
801.198
“Combination of vehicles.”
801.199
“Combined weight.”
801.200
“Commercial bus.”
801.205
“Commercial bus trailer.”
801.207
“Commercial driver license” and “commercial driving privileges.”
801.208
“Commercial motor vehicle.”
801.210
“Commercial vehicle.”
801.215
“Commission.”
801.217
“Converter dolly.”
801.220
“Crosswalk.”
801.225
“Department.”
801.230
“Director.”
801.236
“Dismantler.”
801.237
“District” defined for certain purposes
801.245
“Driver license.”
801.250
“Driver permit.”
801.255
“Driving privilege.”
801.258
“Electric assisted bicycle.”
801.259
“Electric personal assistive mobility device.”
801.260
“Emergency vehicle.”
801.261
“Endorsement.”
801.263
“Engine brake.”
801.265
“Farm tractor.”
801.270
“Farm trailer.”
801.272
“Field sobriety test.”
801.275
“Fifth wheel hitch.”
801.280
“Financial responsibility requirements.”
801.285
“Fixed load vehicle.”
801.288
“Funeral escort vehicle”
801.290
“Future responsibility filing.”
801.295
“Golf cart.”
801.297
“Gross combination weight rating.”
801.298
“Gross vehicle weight rating.”
801.300
“Group of axles.”
801.303
“Hazardous materials.”
801.305
“Highway.”
801.308
“Identity source documents.”
801.310
“Implement of husbandry.”
801.317
“Inhalant.”
801.320
“Intersection.”
801.323
“Issue”
801.325
“Limited visibility condition.”
801.330
“Loaded weight.”
801.331
“Low-speed vehicle.”
801.333
“Manufactured structure.”
801.335
“Manufacturer.”
801.341
“Medium-speed electric vehicle.”
801.345
“Moped.”
801.348
“Motor assisted scooter.”
801.350
“Motor home.”
801.355
“Motor truck.”
801.360
“Motor vehicle.”
801.365
“Motorcycle.”
801.366
“Motorcycle helmet.”
801.368
“Narrow residential roadway.”
801.370
“Operation.”
801.375
“Owner.”
801.377
“Ownership record.”
801.380
“Park” or “parking.”
801.385
“Pedestrian.”
801.387
“Person with a disability.”
801.390
“Pole trailer.”
801.395
“Police officer.”
801.397
“Prefabricated structure.”
801.400
“Premises open to the public.”
801.402
“Primary ownership record.”
801.404
“Racing activity vehicle.”
801.406
“Rail fixed guideway public transportation system.”
801.408
“Reconstructed vehicle.”
801.409
“Recreational vehicle.”
801.410
“Registration” or “register.”
801.415
“Registration plate.”
801.420
“Registration weight.”
801.425
“Replica.”
801.430
“Residence district.”
801.435
“Revoked.”
801.440
“Right of way.”
801.445
“Road authority.”
801.447
“Road machinery.”
801.450
“Roadway.”
801.451
“Roundabout.”
801.454
“Salvage title certificate.”
801.455
“School activity vehicle.”
801.460
“School bus.”
801.462
“School zone.”
801.465
“Security interest.”
801.470
“Self-supporting trailer.”
801.475
“Semitrailer.”
801.480
“Shoulder.”
801.485
“Sidewalk.”
801.490
“Snowmobile.”
801.495
“Special mobile equipment.”
801.500
“Special use trailer.”
801.505
“Stand” or “standing.”
801.507
“Stinger-steered.”
801.510
“Stop.”
801.513
“Street rod.”
801.515
“Suspend.”
801.520
“Tandem axles.”
801.522
“Tank vehicle.”
801.524
“Throughway.”
801.525
“Tire.”
801.526
“Title.”
801.527
“Totaled vehicle”
801.529
“Tow dolly.”
801.530
“Tow vehicle.”
801.540
“Traffic control device.”
801.545
“Traffic crime.”
801.555
“Traffic offense.”
801.557
“Traffic violation.”
801.560
“Trailer.”
801.562
“Transitional ownership record.”
801.565
“Travel trailer.”
801.575
“Truck tractor.”
801.580
“Truck trailer.”
801.585
“Unloaded weight.”
801.590
“Vehicle.”
801.592
“Vehicle appraiser.”
801.595
“Vehicle code.”
801.600
“Vehicle identification number.”
801.605
“Vehicle of special interest.”
801.608
“Vulnerable user of a public way.”
801.610
“Worker transport bus.”
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