What you need to know about Oregon driver licenses
An Oregon driver license is issued by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and serves as both proof that you can legally drive in Oregon and a form of state identification. You will need one to drive any vehicle on Oregon roads, and you will also use it for age verification, banking, and other situations where you need to prove your identity.
Oregon offers different types of licenses depending on what you drive and your immigration status. A standard driver license lets you operate passenger vehicles. A commercial driver license (CDL) is required if you drive trucks or buses for work. An instruction permit lets you practice driving under supervision before you take your driving test. Oregon also issues licenses to people without a Social Security number through the REAL ID program, though these have different requirements than standard licenses.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit an ODOT Driver and Motor Vehicle Services office in person to get or renew your license; you cannot complete this entirely by mail or online.
- Bring a birth certificate or passport, proof of Oregon residency such as a utility bill or lease, and your Social Security card or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) card.
- A standard driver license costs $68 and is valid for eight years; renewal by mail is possible only if you have not moved and your address is current.
- You must pass a written test on traffic laws and a driving test in your own vehicle before you receive your license for the first time.
- Oregon recognizes licenses from other states and countries for up to one year, so you do not need to switch when ready if you just moved.
Documents you must bring to the DMV office
ODOT requires three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of Oregon residency, and proof of your Social Security number or ITIN. Bring originals or certified copies—photocopies are not accepted for identity documents.
For identity, bring a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, passport card, or consular report of birth abroad. If your name has changed since that document was issued, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the legal change. For residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and Oregon address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. For your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card. If you do not have one and are not may be able to access for one, bring your ITIN card or a letter from the IRS showing your ITIN.
Getting your first Oregon driver license
If you have never held a driver license in any state, you will first receive an instruction permit. Visit any ODOT office with your documents and pay the permit fee (currently $20). You will take a written test on Oregon traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. The test has 35 questions and you must answer at least 28 correctly. You can study using the Oregon Driver Manual, available free on the ODOT website.
Once you have your permit, you must practice driving with a licensed adult at least 21 years old in the front seat. Oregon requires you to hold the permit for at least 14 days before you can take your driving test. When you are ready, schedule a driving test appointment at an ODOT office. Bring your permit, your own vehicle (in safe working condition), and proof of insurance. The test takes about 30 minutes and covers basic vehicle control, following traffic laws, and safe decision-making. If you pass, you receive your driver license on the spot.
Renewing your Oregon driver license
Oregon driver licenses expire eight years after issue. You will receive a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before expiration. If your address has not changed and you have not been convicted of certain traffic offenses, you can renew by mail. Fill out the renewal form that came with your notice, include a new photo (you can take one at home and print it, or have one taken at an ODOT office), and mail both to the address on the form with the renewal fee ($68 for a standard license).
If you have moved, your name has changed, or you want to update your photo, you must visit an ODOT office in person. Bring the same documents you brought for your first license. You will not take another written or driving test unless your license was suspended or revoked. Processing usually takes 5 to 10 business days if you renew by mail, or you receive your license when ready if you renew in person.
Instruction permits and commercial driver licenses
An instruction permit costs $20 and is valid for one year. It allows you to drive only with a licensed adult at least 21 years old in the front seat, and you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. You must hold a permit for at least 14 days before taking your driving test. If your permit expires before you pass the driving test, you can renew it once for another $20.
A commercial driver license is required if you drive a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating over 26,001 pounds, or any vehicle designed to carry 16 or more people including yourself. You must first hold a standard instruction permit and pass the written test. Then you take a commercial driving test in a commercial vehicle. A CDL costs $68 and requires additional endorsements depending on what you haul (hazardous materials, passengers, doubles, etc.). Each endorsement has its own written test.
REAL ID and licenses for people without a Social Security number
Oregon issues REAL ID-compliant licenses that meet federal standards for air travel and federal building access. A REAL ID license looks the same as a standard license but has a star in the upper right corner. It costs the same ($68) and requires the same documents, except you must bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate or passport—a photocopy is not accepted.
If you do not have a Social Security number and are not may be able to access for one, you can get an Oregon driver license using an ITIN instead. Bring your ITIN card or a letter from the IRS showing your ITIN, along with your other identity and residency documents. You will take the same written and driving tests. This license is valid for driving but does not meet REAL ID standards, so you cannot use it for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight.
What happens if your license is lost, stolen, or damaged
If your license is lost or stolen, visit an ODOT office and report it. You will pay a replacement fee (currently $20) and receive a new license with the same number. If your license is damaged but still readable, you can exchange it for a new one at the same cost. If you need a replacement before you can visit an office, you can request a temporary paper permit by phone or online, though this does not replace your physical license for all purposes.
If your license is suspended or revoked due to traffic violations, unpaid fines, or other reasons, you will receive a notice in the mail explaining why and how long the suspension lasts. You cannot drive during a suspension. To reinstate your license, you must resolve the reason for the suspension (pay fines, complete a traffic safety course, etc.) and visit an ODOT office to pay the reinstatement fee and take a new written test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my out-of-state driver license to drive in Oregon?
Yes, for up to one year from when you become an Oregon resident. After that, you must have an Oregon license. Oregon recognizes valid licenses from any U.S. state or Canadian province, as well as international licenses with an English translation.
What if I fail the driving test?
You can retake it as many times as you need. There is no waiting period between attempts, but you must pay the test fee each time. Many ODOT offices let you schedule another test the same day if you fail.
Do I need to take a new written test when I renew my license?
No, unless your license was suspended or revoked. Standard renewals do not require a new test, even if you renew in person.
How long does it take to get my first Oregon driver license?
You receive your license when ready after passing the driving test. The entire process from instruction permit to license usually takes two to four weeks, depending on how long you practice before taking your driving test.
What if my name has changed since I got my birth certificate?
Bring both your original birth certificate and the document that shows your legal name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. ODOT will update your name on your new license.