Portland's streets are poised to undergo a shift in the coming weeks. As reported by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), starting November 12, vehicles lacking a visible VIN or missing at least one license plate will swiftly be towed without prior warning. This move, an update to city code, is PBOT's latest effort to promptly remove vehicles violating the code from city streets.
For those unfamiliar, a vehicle's VIN is normally found on the dashboard on the driver's side, and easily spotted from outside the vehicle through the windshield. Oregon law mandates that cars should display two license plates, although some exceptions exist, such as mopeds and motorcycles, which are only required to have an easily read back plate. The new ordinance is set to mainly affect cars considered to be abandoned.
Portland residents who spot illegal parking can report such incidents to the Parking Enforcement Division seven days a week, as detailed by the city's news release. With specific hours of operation throughout the week, concerned citizens can reach out to local authorities during established times for assistance. Outside these hours, the Police non-emergency number is also available for reporting.
