ORS 822.045
Vehicle dealer offenses

  • penalties

(1)

A vehicle dealer improperly conducts a vehicle dealer business and is subject to the penalties under this section if the vehicle dealer commits any of the following offenses:

(a)

A vehicle dealer commits the offense of failure to obtain a supplemental vehicle dealer certificate if the vehicle dealer opens any additional place of business using the same business name as a place of business approved under a vehicle dealer certificate without first obtaining a supplemental dealer certificate under ORS 822.040 (Privileges granted by certificate).

(b)

A vehicle dealer commits the offense of failure to obtain a corrected vehicle dealer certificate if the dealer moves a place of business or changes the business name without first obtaining a corrected dealer certificate under ORS 822.040 (Privileges granted by certificate).

(c)

A vehicle dealer commits the offense of failure to maintain proper vehicle dealer records if the dealer does not keep records or books with all of the following information concerning any used or secondhand vehicles or campers the dealer deals with:

(A)

A record of the purchase, sale or exchange or of the dealer’s receipt for purpose of sale.

(B)

A description of the vehicle or camper.

(C)

The name and address of the seller, the purchaser and the alleged owner or other person from whom the vehicle or camper was purchased or received or to whom it was sold or delivered.

(D)

For motor vehicles, the vehicle identification number and any other numbers or identification marks as may be thereon and a statement that a number has been obliterated, defaced or changed, if such is a fact.

(E)

For trailers and campers, the vehicle identification number and any other numbers or identification marks as may be thereon.

(F)

A duly assigned certificate of title or other primary ownership record or a bill of sale from the registered owner of the vehicle or camper from the time of delivery to the dealer until the dealer disposes of the vehicle or camper. If title is issued for the vehicle in a form other than a certificate, or if the primary ownership record is in a form other than a document, a dealer shall keep records in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Transportation for the purpose of complying with this subparagraph.

(d)

A vehicle dealer commits the offense of failure to allow administrative inspection if the dealer refuses to allow the department to conduct an inspection under ORS 822.035 (Investigation of application) at any time during normal business hours.

(e)

A vehicle dealer commits the offense of failure to allow police inspection if the dealer refuses to allow any police officer to conduct an inspection under ORS 810.480 (Inspections involving vehicle dealers and dismantlers) at any time during normal business hours.

(f)

A vehicle dealer commits the offense of illegal use of dealer vehicle for hire if the dealer allows any vehicle operated under vehicle dealer registration to be loaned or rented with or without driver for hire or direct compensation.

(g)

A vehicle dealer commits the offense of improper use of dealer plates or devices if the dealer or employee of the dealer causes or permits the display or use of any special vehicle dealer registration plate or device on any vehicle not owned or controlled by the dealer.

(h)

A person commits the offense of improper display of dealer plates if the person operates over and along the highways of this state any unregistered vehicle owned or controlled by the dealer and any dealer plates issued are not displayed in the manner provided in ORS 803.540 (Failure to display plates) for the display of registration plates.

(i)

A vehicle dealer commits the offense of failure to exhibit the dealer certificate if the dealer fails to permanently exhibit the certificate at the place of business of the person at all times while the certificate is in force.

(j)

Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a vehicle dealer commits the offense of failure to provide clear title if:

(A)

Within 15 days of transfer of any interest in a vehicle or camper to the dealer by a consumer, the dealer fails to satisfy:
(i)
The interest of any person from whom the dealer purchased or obtained the vehicle or camper;
(ii)
The interest of any person from whom the person described in sub-subparagraph (i) of this subparagraph leased the vehicle or camper; and
(iii)
All security interests in the vehicle or camper entered into prior to the time of transfer.

(B)

Within 15 days of receiving clear title to a vehicle or camper from another dealer, the purchasing dealer fails to satisfy the interest of the dealer from which the purchasing dealer received the certificate of title or other primary ownership document. For purposes of this subparagraph, a purchasing dealer receives a certificate of title or other primary ownership document from a dealer on the date:
(i)
The purchasing dealer or the Department of Transportation takes physical possession of the certificate or document; or
(ii)
A written notice is mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to the purchasing dealer from the dealer, stating that the certificate or document is available to be picked up at a place and time prearranged by both parties. The written notice must be mailed to a business address of the purchasing dealer that is on file with the department. Service by mail under this sub-subparagraph is effective on the date of mailing.

(k)

Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a vehicle dealer commits the offense of failure to furnish certificate of title or application for title if, within 90 calendar days of transfer of any interest in a vehicle or camper by the dealer, the dealer has failed to:

(A)

Furnish the certificate of title or other primary ownership record for the vehicle or camper and any release thereon or, if title has been issued or is to be issued in a form other than a certificate, any information or documents required by rule of the department, to the security interest holder next named, if any, otherwise to the lessor or, if none, to the purchaser; or

(B)

Submit to the department in a manner that complies with any applicable statutes and rules, an application for title on behalf of the person to whom the title is to be furnished or whose name is to be shown on the title record.

(L)

A vehicle dealer commits the offense of failure to maintain bond or letter of credit coverage if the dealer permits a bond or letter of credit to lapse during the period that the bond or letter of credit is required under ORS 822.020 (Issuance of certificate) or 822.040 (Privileges granted by certificate) or if the dealer fails to purchase a bond or letter of credit required by ORS 822.030 (Bond or letter of credit requirements).

(m)

A person commits the offense of acting as a vehicle dealer while under revocation, cancellation or suspension if the person conducts business as a vehicle dealer in this state and the person’s vehicle dealer certificate is revoked, canceled or suspended, regardless of whether the person is licensed as a vehicle dealer in another jurisdiction. This paragraph does not apply if the person has other current, valid dealer certificates issued in this state.

(n)

A vehicle dealer commits the offense of improper display of a vehicle for advertising purposes if the dealer displays a vehicle at a location other than the dealer’s place of business for the purpose of advertising and the dealer does not comply with the provisions of ORS 822.040 (Privileges granted by certificate) (4).

(2)

A dealer is not considered to have committed the offense described in subsection (1)(j)(A) of this section if the dealer fails to satisfy an interest in a vehicle or camper that arises from an inventory financing security interest for which the dealer is the debtor.

(3)

A dealer is not considered to have committed the offense described in subsection (1)(k) of this section if the dealer demonstrates that:

(a)

The dealer has made a good faith effort to comply; and

(b)

The dealer’s inability to provide title is due to circumstances beyond the dealer’s control.

(4)

The offenses described in this section are subject to the following penalties:

(a)

The offense described in this section, failure to obtain a supplemental vehicle dealer certificate, is a Class A misdemeanor.

(b)

The offense described in this section, failure to obtain a corrected vehicle dealer certificate, is a Class A misdemeanor.

(c)

The offense described in this section, failure to maintain proper vehicle dealer records, is a Class A misdemeanor.

(d)

The offense described in this section, failure to allow administrative inspection, is a Class A misdemeanor.

(e)

The offense described in this section, failure to allow police inspection, is a Class A misdemeanor.

(f)

The offense described in this section, illegal use of dealer vehicle for hire, is a Class B traffic violation.

(g)

The offense described in this section, improper use of dealer plates or devices, is a Class D traffic violation.

(h)

The offense described in this section, improper display of dealer plates, is a Class B traffic violation.

(i)

The offense described in this section, failure to exhibit the dealer certificate, is a Class A misdemeanor.

(j)

The offense described in this section, failure to provide clear title, is a Class A misdemeanor.

(k)

The offense described in this section, failure to furnish certificate of title or application for title, is a Class A misdemeanor.

(L)

The offense described in this section, failure to maintain bond or letter of credit coverage, is a Class A misdemeanor.

(m)

The offense described in this section, acting as a vehicle dealer while under revocation, cancellation or suspension, is a Class A misdemeanor.

(n)

The offense described in this section, improper display of a vehicle for advertising purposes, is a Class A misdemeanor. [1983 c.338 §797; 1985 c.16 §395; 1985 c.598 §8; 1987 c.261 §8; 1989 c.452 §3; 1991 c.873 §45; 1993 c.233 §72; 1993 c.741 §142; 1995 c.383 §114; 1997 c.469 §7; 1999 c.593 §4; 2001 c.682 §1; 2003 c.332 §1; 2003 c.655 §131; 2005 c.133 §§3,4; 2014 c.21 §1]

Source: Section 822.045 — Vehicle dealer offenses; penalties, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors822.­html.

Notes of Decisions

Under former similar statute (ORS 481.315)

Dealer, who did not have certificate of title at time of sale in violation of this section, was liable for buyer’s damages resulting from subsequent theft of vehicle and buyer’s insurer’s refusal to pay claim absent proof of title. Chamberlain v. Jim Fisher Motors, Inc., 282 Or 229, 578 P2d 1225 (1978)

Bill of sale for used vehicle in possession of licensee must show present transfer of title to property for consideration, not merely agreement to sell. Fidelity and Deposit Co. of Maryland v. Greenlee, 62 Or App 40, 660 P2d 172 (1983)

In general

“Inventory financing security interest” means agreement under which person finances vehicle dealer’s acquisition of vehicles for dealer’s stock and has interest in acquired vehicles for purpose of securing repayment. Brasher’s Cascade Auto Auction, Inc. v. Leon, 247 Or App 535, 270 P3d 330 (2011)

822.005
Acting as vehicle dealer without certificate
822.007
Injunction against person acting as vehicle dealer in violation of vehicle code or rule
822.009
Civil penalties for violations of statutes or rules
822.015
Exemptions from vehicle dealer certification requirement
822.020
Issuance of certificate
822.022
Restrictions on issuing certificates
822.025
Application contents
822.027
Education requirements for vehicle dealers
822.030
Bond or letter of credit requirements
822.033
Requirements for certificate of insurance
822.035
Investigation of application
822.040
Privileges granted by certificate
822.042
Procedures for transfer of interest in vehicle by vehicle dealer
822.043
Dealer preparation and submission of documents
822.045
Vehicle dealer offenses
822.046
Vehicle dealer’s duty to inform potential buyer if vehicle used for manufacture of controlled substances
822.047
Brokerage services
822.048
Remedy for failure to submit title
822.050
Revocation, cancellation or suspension of certificate
822.055
Failure to return revoked, canceled or suspended certificate
822.060
Illegal consignment practices
822.065
Violation of consigned vehicle transfer
822.070
Conducting illegal vehicle rebuilding business
822.080
Procedures for civil penalties imposed under ORS 822.009
822.082
“Recreational vehicle service facility” defined
822.083
“Show” defined
822.084
Show license
822.086
New recreational vehicle sales
822.090
Unlawful subleasing of motor vehicle
822.093
Sale of vehicles involving possessory liens
822.094
Transfer by lien claimant
822.100
Conducting a motor vehicle dismantling business without a certificate
822.105
Exemption from certificate requirement
822.110
Dismantler certificate
822.115
Application contents
822.120
Bond or letter of credit requirements
822.125
Privileges granted by certificate
822.130
Inspection of books, records, inventory and premises
822.133
Requirements of dismantler operating motor vehicle dismantling business
822.135
Improperly conducting motor vehicle dismantling business
822.137
Dismantler conduct resulting in civil penalty
822.140
Local government approval requirements
822.145
Imposition of sanctions
822.150
Failure to return revoked, canceled or suspended certificate or identification card
822.200
Operating illegal towing business
822.205
Certificate
822.210
Privileges granted by certificate
822.213
Transporting property for hire
822.215
Grounds for denial, suspension, revocation or refusal of certificate
822.217
Proportional registration for tow vehicles
822.218
Cancellation of identification device for proportionally registered tow vehicle
822.220
Authorization to obstruct traffic
822.225
Failure to remove injurious substance
822.230
City or county regulation of towing businesses
822.235
Recovery after theft
822.250
State Board of Towing
822.255
Chair and vice chair
822.260
Administrative officer for board
822.265
Rulemaking authority
822.270
State Board of Towing Account
822.275
Administration of oaths
822.280
Denial, suspension, revocation or refusal of towing business certificate
822.285
Additional powers of board
822.290
Denial of participation on Department of State Police tow rotation
822.300
Acting as vehicle transporter without certificate
822.305
Exemptions from vehicle transporter certification requirement
822.310
Privileges granted by certificate
822.315
Improper use of vehicle transporter plate
822.325
Failure to return revoked or suspended certificate
822.500
Operating commercial driver training school without certificate
822.505
Commercial driver training school bond
822.510
Proof of insurance
822.515
Certificates
822.520
Failure to return revoked, suspended or canceled commercial driver training school certificate
822.525
Acting as driver training instructor without certificate
822.530
Certificate
822.535
Failure to return revoked or suspended certificate
822.600
Failure of garage to report accident or bullet contact
822.605
False swearing relating to regulation of vehicle related businesses
822.700
Certification fees
822.705
Fee for issuance or renewal of vehicle dealer certificate
822.990
Civil penalties for violations of ORS 822.500 and 822.525
822.992
Civil penalties for violations related to dismantlers
822.995
Civil penalties for violations related to towing
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