New city code will allow PBOT to tow ID-less vehicles without providing notice

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — In just a few weeks, Portland’s transportation regulators will automatically tow vehicles with no legal identification in sight.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation announced it will tow vehicles with no visible license plate number of Vehicle Identification Number starting on Friday, Nov. 12. According to the agency, this new policy will allow parking enforcement officers to remove vehicles that are violating city code from the public right-of-way more efficiently.

While VINs are typically found on the driver’s side dashboard, license plates are typically found on both the front and the back of the vehicle. Oregon requires most drivers to have two license plates, although certain vehicles — including mopeds, motorcycles and campers — are only required to have one on the back.

If a vehicle has only one license plate when it should have two, PBOT Communications Hannah Schafer told KOIN 6 the driver will be ticketed but not towed. She also said most RVs that violate city code are addressed through the city’s Impact Reduction Program.

“The goal of this new policy is primarily to address bad actors that appear to be intentionally hiding their VINs AND removing license plates from their vehicles to make them unidentifiable to parking enforcement officers,” Schafer wrote.

There will be no towing notices for these vehicles. Residents who suspect their vehicle has been towed can contact Portland Police Auto Records. The city also has a list of its towing contractors online.

For those who have had their vehicles stolen, and for some low-income residents, officials offer “towing hardship” funds of up to $300.