Oregon’s NMVTIS Rule at a Glance (Effective January 1, 2026)
Oregon Senate Bill 840 (SB 840) requires licensed motor-vehicle dealers to obtain and disclose a National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) report before completing any retail sale of a used vehicle. Signed into law and effective on January 1, 2026, SB 840 makes Oregon the second state—after California (AB 1215)—to explicitly mandate NMVTIS checks at the dealer level.
For background, see What is NMVTIS? or return to the NMVTIS Dealer Compliance hub.
What Dealers Must Do Under SB 840
Every Oregon-licensed dealer must integrate NMVTIS checks into the sales process. Before a retail sale, dealers must:
- Pull an official NMVTIS report from an authorized provider such as VinAudit.com.
- Disclose the results to the buyer, including any branded-title history.
- Apply warning stickers or provide written notices on branded-title vehicles (salvage, flood, rebuilt).
Dealers must retain the NMVTIS report and disclosure in their records for audits or consumer inquiries.
Key Provisions of Oregon SB 840
| Provision | Dealer Obligation | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| NMVTIS Report Requirement | Obtain an NMVTIS report before completing any retail sale of a used vehicle. | SB 840 §2(1) |
| Disclosure to Buyer | Give the buyer a copy of the report or equivalent written notice of title brands. | §2(2) |
| Branded Title Warning Label | Display a red “Branded Title Vehicle” sticker on salvage, flood, or rebuilt vehicles. | §2(3) |
| Recordkeeping | Maintain the NMVTIS report and buyer disclosure for DMV inspection. | §3(1) |
| Penalties | Violations may result in fines, suspension, or license action by Oregon DMV. | §3(2) |
Why SB 840 Was Passed
SB 840 increases transparency and aligns dealers with federally verified NMVTIS data (not just private reports).
- Consumer Awareness — Buyers can confirm branded-title status before purchase.
- Fraud Prevention — Helps prevent title washing and unsafe resales across state lines.
- Market Fairness — Levels the playing field for ethical dealers.
- Public Safety — Keeps flood-damaged or structurally unsafe vehicles off Oregon roads.
Oregon’s Used-Car Market & DMV Oversight
The Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division (DMV), part of ODOT, regulates thousands of licensed dealers statewide. Under SB 840, DMV’s Business Regulation Section will:
- Audit dealer records to confirm an NMVTIS (or approved equivalent) report exists for each retail used-vehicle sale;
- Verify reports are retained with deal paperwork and that required window labels/disclosures are used where applicable;
- Publish bulletins, rule updates, and training for dealer compliance; and
- Impose penalties for violations.
Oregon already relies on NMVTIS in title workflows. SB 840 brings that same transparency forward to the point of sale so every retail buyer sees material title-history issues before signing.
Dealer Compliance Checklist
- Run a VinAudit NMVTIS Report on every used vehicle before sale. If you only have a plate, use the License Plate Lookup to get the VIN (where available).
- Disclose branded titles (salvage, flood, rebuilt) in writing before the buyer signs.
- Apply the red sticker when a branded title is present.
- Retain records (report + disclosure) for audit readiness.
- Automate NMVTIS in your DMS workflow (batch/API via VinAudit for Dealers).
- Train staff on SB 840 procedures, forms, and scripts.
- Use authorized providers such as VinAudit.com to ensure compliance.
Download the Dealer Compliance Checklist or run a VinAudit NMVTIS Vehicle History Report today.
Meeting the Rule with VinAudit NMVTIS Reports
| NMVTIS Requires | VinAudit Provides |
|---|---|
| Title history check before completing a used-vehicle sale | ✅ Instant NMVTIS reports online, in bulk, or via API — easy to integrate into your sales process |
| Disclosure of branded titles (salvage, junk, flood) | ✅ Clear branding flags in every report, plus supplemental history where available |
| Retention of the NMVTIS report as proof of compliance | ✅ Downloadable PDFs to store with deal paperwork for audits |
| Participation in a national anti-fraud program | ✅ Affordable access backed by data from DMVs, insurers, and recyclers |
Be SB 840–Ready Before 2026
SB 840: Frequently Asked Questions
Does SB 840 apply to all Oregon dealers and vehicle types?
What counts as an “approved equivalent” to NMVTIS?
Note: VinAudit is an NMVTIS-approved provider delivering official NMVTIS data (not a separate “equivalent”).
Are there transactions or vehicles exempt from SB 840?
How does the DMV verify SB 840 compliance?
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
What should dealers keep on file for audits?
Related Resources
- What Is NMVTIS? A Complete Guide
- California AB 1215 Dealer Compliance
- AB 1215 vs SB 840 Comparison
- NMVTIS Compliance Map (U.S.)
- Dealer Compliance Checklist
- Dealer Training & Compliance Resources
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