By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles halted issuance of undercover license plates for federal law enforcement agencies, citing potential conflicts with state law.
• The pause affects agencies such as the U.S. Marshals Service and other federal entities that had requested the specialized plates.
• DMV officials said the move follows legal review over statutory authority and public transparency concerns.
• Law enforcement stakeholders are working with state officials to clarify the legal framework before resuming issuance.
SALEM, OR — The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles has temporarily stopped issuing undercover license plates to federal law enforcement agencies while state officials review whether doing so aligns with existing state law, DMV officials said.
Federal agencies — including the U.S. Marshals Service and other federal law enforcement partners — had sought the specialized plates which can be used on unmarked vehicles for investigative purposes, according to DMV statements.
The DMV’s decision followed concerns raised by state legal counsel and lawmakers about potential conflicts between undercover plate issuance and Oregon statutory requirements for vehicle registration transparency, officials said.
State officials said they are coordinating with federal law enforcement representatives to clarify the legal authority and any necessary statutory changes before resuming issuance of the undercover plates.
Oregon legislators and DMV leadership have not set a timeline for completing the legal review, and the specialized plates remain on hold pending further guidance.