Oregon law specifically regulates title loans and treats a vehicle title as high-stakes collateral. Before entering an agreement, verify the lender, read the complete disclosures, and understand what happens if repayment becomes difficult. A title loan is not simply a loan with a different label: Oregon law includes certain short-term vehicle-title and sale-leaseback arrangements in its definition.
Last reviewed: August 14, 2026. General consumer information, not legal advice.
Are title loans legal in Oregon?
Oregon’s Consumer Finance Act includes title-loan provisions in ORS Chapter 725A. The statute defines a title loan as certain loans of $50,000 or less secured by the title to a motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, boat, or mobile home, with a term of no more than 60 days and a single-payment repayment requirement. It also lets the Department of Consumer and Business Services identify substantially equivalent arrangements, including specified sale-leasebacks.
For consumer-finance companies, Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation says companies making loans of $50,000 or less with terms longer than 60 days need an Oregon consumer-finance license. Check the exact lender and product rather than assuming an online offer is permitted or appropriate.
Oregon title-loan rules and consumer checks
| Topic | Oregon rule or consumer check |
|---|---|
| Definition | ORS 725A defines specified short-term, single-payment loans secured by a vehicle title as title loans. |
| Covered property | The definition can include a motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, boat, or mobile-home title used as security. |
| Loan amount | The statutory title-loan definition applies to loans of no more than $50,000, other than purchase-money loans. |
| Term check | Under the definition, the agreement specifies no more than 60 days and requires repayment in one payment. |
| Equivalent arrangements | Specified sale-leasebacks can be treated as title loans; do not rely on a different product name. |
| Keys | The statute prohibits a lender from requiring or accepting a set of keys for property whose title secures a title loan. |
| Contract clauses | The statute prohibits listed provisions, including a hold-harmless clause, confession of judgment, and certain waivers. |
| After repossession | A title-loan contract may not permit interest to continue after the collateral has been repossessed. |
| Disclosure check | Do not sign a note that leaves blanks or fails to accurately state the amount, term, rate, and payment schedule. |
| Early payment | Oregon law requires a licensee to permit advance payment in any amount at any time. |
| Release of collateral | After full repayment, the lender must release security that no longer secures the loan and restore collateral as required by law. |
| License check | DFR advises consumers considering a payday or title loan to verify that the company is licensed in Oregon. |
Before signing
Ask for the lender’s legal name, license information, APR, finance charge, total of payments, payment schedule, payoff process, and every document creating a lien or security interest. Review the agreement before handing over title documents. Do not sign blank paperwork, and keep a complete copy of every version you receive.
Default and vehicle risk
A title-secured loan can put essential transportation at risk. Contact the lender in writing promptly if you anticipate a missed payment, request a current payoff amount and account history, and preserve notices, receipts, the agreement, and title papers. Oregon’s title-loan restrictions do not eliminate the need to understand the collateral and default terms before agreeing to them.
Alternatives and help
- Contact 211 for local food, housing, utility, and transportation resources.
- Ask a bank or credit union about a personal loan, hardship option, or payment plan.
- Use Oregon DFR’s license-check and complaint resources for consumer-finance questions.
- Submit an appropriate consumer-finance complaint through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Cities we serve in Oregon
Local pages remain subject to lender-relationship and quality review. This statewide hub is the Oregon consumer-information reference until individual destinations are validated.
Frequently asked questions
What does Oregon count as a title loan?
ORS 725A includes specified short-term, single-payment loans of $50,000 or less secured by a qualifying vehicle title and certain equivalent arrangements.
Can a lender take my keys for an Oregon title loan?
ORS 725A prohibits a lender from requiring or accepting keys to property whose title secures a title loan.
What should a title-loan document disclose?
Before signing, make sure the amount, term, rate, payment schedule, collateral terms, and payoff process are complete and understandable.
How can I check an Oregon lender?
Oregon DFR directs consumers considering payday or title loans to check that the company is licensed and offers financial-services complaint support.
