735-040-0115 Special Registration Plates; Institutions of Higher Education, Qualifications; Application, Approval (1) An institution of higher education that wishes to become eligible for a special registration plate issued under ORS 805.222 and 805.225, must submit the following to DMV: (a) A completed and signed Application for Special Registration Plate (DMV Form 735-7076) and documentation sufficient to DMV that: (A) The institution is an “institution” as defined in OAR 735-040-0040, including a written certification on the institution’s letterhead from the institution’s president, chancellor, or chief executive officer stating that the institution meets the definition of an institution of higher education as defined in OAR 735-040-0040; and (B) The institution is physically located in Oregon. (b) The name, address, phone number and email address of current directors or officers of the institution, or other person authorized by the institution to act as the institution’s representative for purposes of the institution’s special registration plate. (c) The institution’s requested plate design, in an electronic format designated by the department. The design must comply with the plate design requirements specified in OAR 735-040-0125. (d) A $5,000 preapproval fee to cover DMV’s costs to review the institution’s application and requested plate design for compliance with ORS 805.222 to 805.225, and DMV rules. The fee must be in the form of a check or money order payable to Oregon DMV. (e) Any other information DMV considers necessary to determine the institution is eligible for the issuance of a special registration plate. (2) Applications and plate designs are reviewed in the order received by DMV. (3) DMV will not issue special registration plates for an institution with a plate currently issued by DMV under ORS 805.205 and OAR 735-040-0045 until: (a) The inventory of the institution’s plate is depleted; or (b) The institution reimburses DMV’s plate manufacturing costs and any costs associated with the destruction of any remaining inventory of the institution’s plate. (4) DMV may deny an institution’s eligibility for a special registration plate if: (a) The institution’s application is incomplete or contains false information; (b) The institution is not authorized to use the requested plate design; (c) The requested plate design does not meet the requirements specified in OAR 735-040-0125 (plate design); or (d) The institution fails to provide any information requested by DMV, or fails to meet any requirement for a special registration plate under ORS 805.222 or 805.225, or DMV rule. (5) DMV will notify the institution in writing if: (a) The institution’s application or requested plate design requires additional information or modification. (b) DMV approves the institution’s application or requested plate design. (c) DMV denies the institution’s application or requested plate design. (d) DMV withdraws the institution’s eligibility or ceases production or issuance of the institution’s plate. (6) Upon DMV’s approval of the institution’s application and requested plate design, DMV will send the institution 3,100 sequentially numbered, three-part DMV voucher forms for collection, as specified in ORS 805.225. Once collected, the institution must submit at least 3,000 vouchers and all of the following to DMV: (a) A fully executed licensing agreement between DMV and the institution for the use of any artwork, image, name, logo, mark, slogan, letter or word requested to appear on the institution’s plate; (b) A check or money order in an amount that includes: (A) At least $120,000, with the total amount determined by the number of vouchers sold multiplied by the $40 surcharge fee; and (B) DMV’s anticipated costs of adding the institution’s plate to the special registration plate program. When estimating DMV’s anticipated costs, the department will consider the balance of any unexpended preapproval fees provided under section (1)(d) of this rule. (c) The “DMV Copy” of each prepaid voucher form; (d) Any unsold or voided voucher forms; (e) A reconciliation report showing: (A) The total number of vouchers sold, including the beginning and ending control numbers; (B) The total number of vouchers that were lost, stolen, destroyed or voided and the control number of each; (C) The total number of unsold vouchers; and (D) Any additional vouchers ordered and received from DMV, including the beginning and ending control numbers. (f) The name of the financial institution and account number designated by the institution for the deposit of plate surcharge fees (minus DMV’s administrative costs) collected by DMV from the sale of the institution’s special registration plate; and (g) The institution’s final approved plate design, in an electronic format designated by the department. (7) The fees submitted to DMV under subparagraph (6)(a)(A) of this rule are nonrefundable. (8) An eligible institution must submit an Annual Statement of Continuing Eligibility (DMV Form 735-6942) to DMV certifying the institution continues to meet the requirements for a special registration plate under ORS 805.222 to 805.225, and DMV rules. The statement is due no later than 30 days after the date of receiving an annual renewal of eligibility letter from DMV. (9) The institution must notify DMV immediately if: (a) There is a change in any information listed on the institution’s application or most recent statement of continuing eligibility; or (b) The institution ceases to exist, or no longer meets the eligibility requirements for a nonprofit institution under ORS 805.222 to 805.225 or DMV rule. (10) DMV may withdraw eligibility and cease to issue an institution’s special registration plate if: (a) The institution fails to provide any information requested by DMV; (b) DMV determines the institution is not authorized to reproduce or use any artwork, image, name, logo, mark, slogan, letter or word previously approved for the institution’s plate; (c) The institution fails to submit an Annual Statement of Continuing Eligibility form as required under section (9) of this rule; or (d) The institution fails to comply with any requirement for a special registration plate under ORS 805.222 to 805.225, or DMV rule. (11) DMV shall cease production of an institution’s plate if: (a) DMV does not issue 2,000 sets of the institution’s plate in any one year. For purposes of this subsection, the year begins on the day that the institution’s special registration plate is initially offered for sale; (b) The institution ceases to exist or becomes ineligible for the issuance of special registration plates under ORS 805.222 to 805.225, or DMV rule; or (c) DMV determines any artwork, image, name, logo, mark, slogan, letter or word that appears on the institution’s plate contains an expression of political opinion or religious belief, or violates any provision of the Oregon Vehicle Code, or DMV rule relating to registration plate content. (12) Except for the reason described in subsection (11)(a) of this rule, when DMV ceases production of an institution’s plate it will destroy all remaining plate inventory. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 184.616, 184.619, 802.010, 803.535, 805.222 & 805.225 Statutes/Other Implemented: 805.222 & 805.225 History: DMV 3-2017, f. & cert. ef. 1-24-17 DVM 3-2016, f. 6-22-16, cert. ef. 7-1-16