OREGON E LAW

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    MUDGUARDS, OPERATING WITHOUT
            815.185 Operation without proper fenders or mudguards; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of operation without proper fenders or mudguards if the person drives or moves on any highway or owns and causes or knowingly permits to be driven or moved on any highway a vehicle without fenders or mudguards as required by ORS 815.182, or if the fenders or mudguards fail to meet the standards for fenders and mudguards established under ORS 815.180.
          (2) Exemptions to this section are established under ORS 815.190.
          (3) If a person who is cited for violation of the offense under this section submits evidence satisfactory to the court that the fenders or mudguards on the vehicle subject to the citation have been added, repaired or replaced to comply with the requirements of ORS 815.180 and 815.182, the court shall dismiss the charge for violation of the offense without penalty to the person.
          (4) The offense described in this section, operation without proper fenders or mudguards, is a Class C traffic violation.


          815.182 Kinds of fenders or mudguards required for specified vehicles; placement. (1) The following types of vehicles must be equipped with the proper type of fenders or mudguards as described in ORS 815.180 (2):
          (a) Type I fenders or mudguards shall be within five feet of the tire tread of the tires on the last axle of:
          (A) Every motor truck equipped with a body that has a registration weight of 8,000 pounds or more.
          (B) Every trailer except one otherwise described in this subsection.
          (C) Every commercial bus.
          (b) Type II fenders or mudguards shall be within four feet of the tire tread of the tires on the last axle of:
          (A) Every motor truck with a registration weight of 8,000 pounds or more that is not equipped with a body.
          (B) A pole trailer.
          (C) A jeep used in the movement of nondivisible heavy haul loads.
          (D) A booster.
          (E) A lowboy.
          (F) A container chassis. For purposes of this subparagraph, a container chassis is a frame with wheels, attached to a tractor, that is used to transport containers to and from ports, rail hubs and customer locations.
          (c) Type III fenders or mudguards shall be on each axle of every motor vehicle not otherwise described in this section.
          (2) For purposes of this section, a truck tractor and a semitrailer coupled together shall be considered one vehicle.


          815.180 Standards. This section designates fender and mudguard standards for ORS 815.185. Except as specifically provided by an exemption under ORS 815.190, a vehicle is in violation of ORS 815.185 if the vehicle is not equipped with fenders or mudguards as required under ORS 815.185 or if the fenders or mudguards do not meet the standards of this section or are not of the type required by this section. The standards for fenders and mudguards are as follows:
          (1) There are three different types of fenders and mudguards. Any vehicle required to have fenders and mudguards may be equipped with any fender, cover, flap or splash apron to comply with the requirements of ORS 815.185 for fenders and mudguards as long as the fenders and mudguards meet all of the following standards:
          (a) The width of any fender or mudguard required under this section must be of sufficient size so that the fender or mudguard extends at least to each side of the width of the tire or combined width of the multiple tires when measured against the cross section of the tread of the wheel or the combined cross sections of the treads of the multiple wheels.
          (b) Any fender or mudguard required under this section must be of sufficient size and must be so constructed as to be capable at all times of arresting and deflecting any dirt, mud, water or other substance that may be picked up and carried by the wheels.
          (2) The following types of fenders or mudguards must cover the wheels of the vehicle in the manner described in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this subsection:
          (a) Type I fenders or mudguards must extend in full width from a point on the wheels that is above and forward of the center of the tires over to a point at the rear of the wheels that is not more than 10 inches, or, if attached to the rear of a dump box that elevates for unloading, not more than 13 inches, above the surface of the highway when the vehicle is empty.
          (b) Type II fenders or mudguards must extend downward in full width from a point behind the wheels that is not lower than halfway between the center of the wheels and the top of the tires to a point at the rear of the wheels that is not more than 10 inches above the surface of the highway when the vehicle is empty.
          (c) Type III fenders or mudguards must extend in full width from a point on the wheels that is above and forward of the center of the tire over a point at the rear of the wheel that is not more than 27 inches above the surface of the highway.


         815.190 Exemptions from mudguard and fender requirements. This section establishes exemptions from ORS 815.182 and 815.185. The exemptions under this section are in addition to any exemptions under ORS 801.026. The exemptions established under this section are partial or complete as described in the following:
          (1) Vehicles of special interest that are registered under ORS 805.020 are deemed in compliance with the requirements and standards if:
          (a) The vehicles are equipped with original manufacturer’s equipment and accessories, or their equivalent, and maintained in safe operating condition; or
          (b) The vehicles are street rods that conform to ORS 815.107.
          (2) Road machinery, road rollers and farm tractors are exempt from the standards and requirements.
          (3) Antique motor vehicles are exempt from the standards and requirements if the vehicles are maintained as collectors’ items and used for exhibitions, parades, club activities and similar uses, but not used primarily for the transportation of persons or property.
          (4) A motor truck is exempt from the requirements to be equipped with fenders or mudguards if the vehicle has just a chassis that is not equipped for hauling a load.
          (5) Fenders or mudguards are not required on any modified American-made pre-1935 vehicle, or any identifiable vintage or replica thereof that is titled as a later assembled vehicle or replica and is used for show and pleasure use when such vehicle is used and driven only during fair weather on well-maintained, hard-surfaced roads.
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