ORS 802.240
Driver and vehicle records as evidence


(1)

In all actions, suits or criminal proceedings when the title to, or right of possession of, any vehicle is involved, the record of title, as it appears in the files and records of the Department of Transportation, is prima facie evidence of ownership or right to possession of the vehicle. As used in this section, the record of title does not include records of salvage titles unless the record itself is the salvage title. Proof of the ownership or right to possession of a vehicle shall be made by means of any of the following methods:

(a)

The original certificate of title as provided under ORS 803.010 (Proof of ownership).

(b)

A copy, certified by the department, of the title record of the vehicle as the record appears in the files and records of the department.

(2)

Extrinsic evidence of authenticity is not required as a condition precedent to the admission of a copy of a document relating to the privilege of any person to drive a motor vehicle authorized by law to be filed and actually filed in the records of the department if the copy bears a seal purporting to be that of the department and is certified as a true copy by original or facsimile signature of a person purporting to be an officer or employee of the department. This subsection applies to copies of a data compilation in any form. Copies of documents certified in accordance with this subsection constitute prima facie evidence of the existence of the facts stated therein.

(3)

A certified copy of a person’s driving record, as maintained by the department:

(a)

May be admitted as evidence in any hearing or proceeding under ORS 813.200 (Notice of availability of diversion) to 813.270 (Intoxicated Driver Program Fund).

(b)

Is prima facie evidence that the person named therein was duly convicted of each offense shown by the record.

(c)

Is prima facie evidence that the person named therein is participating in or has participated in a driving under the influence of intoxicants diversion program or in any similar alcohol or drug rehabilitation program in this state or in any other jurisdiction if the record shows that the person has participated in such a program.

(4)

Records and actions described in this subsection shall not be referred to in any way or admitted into evidence or be any evidence of the negligence or due care of any party at the trial of any action at law to recover damages. This subsection applies to all of the following:

(a)

The report required following an accident.

(b)

Any action taken by the department to revoke or suspend a driver license or driver permit or taken by the department under the financial responsibility requirements of the vehicle code or the findings, if any, of the department upon which such action of the department is based.

(c)

Any deposit of security required under the financial responsibility requirements of the vehicle code.

(5)

Except as provided in this subsection, the accident reports filed with the department under ORS 811.725 (Driver failure to report accident to Department of Transportation), 811.730 (Owner failure to report accident to Department of Transportation) or 811.735 (Failure of vehicle occupant to make accident report to Department of Transportation) shall be without prejudice to the individual filing the report and no such report shall be used as evidence in any trial, civil or criminal, arising out of an accident. The following uses are allowable under this subsection:

(a)

The certificate issued by the department under ORS 802.220 (Availability of records) to show whether or not an accident report has been made to the department shall be used solely to prove a compliance or failure to comply with the requirements that the accident report be made to the department.

(b)

An accident report submitted under ORS 811.725 (Driver failure to report accident to Department of Transportation) or 811.735 (Failure of vehicle occupant to make accident report to Department of Transportation) may be used in an administrative hearing or an appeal from such hearing to support any suspension of driving privileges for:

(A)

Failure to make reports required under ORS 811.725 (Driver failure to report accident to Department of Transportation) or 811.735 (Failure of vehicle occupant to make accident report to Department of Transportation).

(B)

Failure to comply with financial responsibility requirements or failure to comply with future responsibility filings.

(6)

A photocopy, facsimile copy, digital or electronic copy of an application for perfection of a security interest by notation on a title under ORS 803.097 (Perfection of security interest in vehicle) that is certified by the department is proof of the date of perfection of the security interest unless the date is invalid as provided under ORS 803.097 (Perfection of security interest in vehicle).

(7)

A report filed by a physician or health care provider under ORS 807.710 (Reports of persons with cognitive or functional impairment) is confidential and may not be admitted as evidence in any civil or criminal action. A report described in this subsection may be used in an administrative hearing or an appeal from an administrative hearing in which an issue is the qualification of a person to operate a motor vehicle. [1983 c.338 §128; 1985 c.16 §38; 1985 c.175 §4; 1987 c.441 §1; 1987 c.750 §3; 1989 c.148 §7; 1991 c.67 §210; 1991 c.702 §26; 1991 c.873 §22a; 1993 c.233 §13; 1999 c.1051 §279; 2001 c.675 §6; 2003 c.462 §2; 2003 c.655 §98]

Source: Section 802.240 — Driver and vehicle records as evidence, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors802.­html.

Notes of Decisions

Under former similar statute

Transfer of ownership occurs upon transfer of possession and control of vehicle, whether or not certificate of title has been transferred. Wisbey v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 264 Or 600, 507 P2d 17 (1973)

Evidence that automobile was paid for by ex-wife, and that she had had continuous possession of automobile until it was taken from her by ex-husband’s employes, was sufficient to overcome presumption that ex-husband was entitled to possession of car because title was in his name. Brunk v. Horton, 280 Or 239, 570 P2d 382 (1977)

802.010
Duties of Department of Transportation regarding motor vehicles and drivers
802.012
Rules for acceptance of information submitted other than on paper
802.020
Administrative facilities for enforcement of motor vehicle laws
802.031
Designation of dealers and others as agents of department
802.040
Specification of certain ways of reporting
802.050
Publications
802.060
Acceptance of grants and other moneys for traffic safety programs
802.070
Department to assist schools in promoting highway safety
802.075
Rules for accident prevention course
802.087
Rules for assisting offenders in obtaining driver license or identification card
802.091
Removal of debris following motor vehicle accident
802.093
Issuance of traffic citations
802.100
Accounts related to driver and vehicle services
802.110
Procedures for financial administration
802.112
Surcharge for certain transactions
802.120
Snowmobile fuel tax moneys
802.125
Transfer of all-terrain vehicle fuel taxes or special use fuel license fees
802.155
Safety Education Fund
802.160
Use of revocation and suspension reinstatement fees
802.170
Uncollectible tender of payment
802.175
Definitions for ORS 802.175 to 802.191
802.177
Prohibition on release of personal information from motor vehicle records
802.179
Exemptions from prohibition on release of personal information from motor vehicle records
802.181
Redisclosure by authorized recipients of personal information from motor vehicle records
802.183
Fees for and rules regarding release of personal information from motor vehicle records
802.185
Notice to individual of certain requests for information
802.187
Relationship to other privacy statutes
802.189
Criminal penalty for violation of ORS 802.175 to 802.187
802.191
Civil action for violation of ORS 802.175 to 802.187
802.195
Social Security numbers
802.200
Required records
802.202
Conditions for disclosure of drug test results
802.210
Records of notification of approaching expiration of registration or license not required
802.220
Availability of records
802.230
Fees for records
802.240
Driver and vehicle records as evidence
802.250
Records containing residence address of eligible public employee or household member
802.253
Records containing residence address of corrections officer or household member
802.255
Exchange of information for implementation of ORS 802.250 and 802.253
802.260
Driver license and identification card records
802.270
Records of insurance information
802.275
Emergency contact information
802.300
Transportation Safety Committee
802.310
Transportation safety programs
802.315
Department authority to apply for and receive federal highway safety program grants and other funds
802.320
Motorcycle safety program
802.325
Bicycle safety program
802.329
City and county highway safety program participation authorized
802.331
Highway Safety Trust Account
802.340
Transportation Safety Account
802.348
Membership of advisory committees must reflect state racial, ethnic and ability composition
802.350
Winter Recreation Advisory Committee
802.370
Advisory committee on vehicle dealer regulation
802.500
Authority for reciprocal registration agreements
802.520
Authority to grant registration privileges or exemptions to vehicles registered in other jurisdictions
802.530
Authority of department for reciprocal agreements concerning traffic offenses
802.540
Driver License Compact
802.550
Administrative provisions relating to license compact
802.560
Multistate Highway Transportation Agreement
802.565
Participation by department and payment of fees
802.570
Compensation and reimbursement for legislative representative under Multistate Highway Transportation Agreement
802.600
Agreements to transact department business
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