Oregon driver licenses renew every eight years, and you can renew in person at a DMV office, by mail, or online depending on your situation

Oregon's Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) handles all license renewals. If your license is not expired and you have no medical holds or restrictions that changed, you can renew by mail or online without visiting an office. If your license is already expired, you must renew in person. The process takes different amounts of time depending on which method you choose — online renewals typically process within days, mail renewals take two to three weeks, and in-person renewals are usually completed the same day.

Your renewal notice arrives by mail about 60 days before your license expires. It contains your renewal number, which you will need for online or mail renewal. If you do not receive a notice, you can still renew, but you will need to provide your driver license number and date of birth instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Oregon driver licenses renew every eight years, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person depending on whether your license is current and whether your medical status or restrictions changed.
  • Online renewal costs $97 and takes a few days; mail renewal costs $97 and takes two to three weeks; in-person renewal costs $97 and is usually done the same day.
  • You cannot renew online or by mail if your license is expired, if you have a medical hold, or if your vision, hearing, or medical restrictions changed since your last renewal.
  • Oregon accepts your current license, passport, birth certificate, or state ID as proof of identity; you will also need proof of Oregon residency such as a utility bill or lease.
  • If you renew online or by mail, you will receive a temporary paper license by mail while your new card is being printed, which takes an additional two to three weeks.

Online renewal: fastest option if your license is current

Oregon's online renewal system is the quickest route if your license has not expired and nothing about your medical status or driving restrictions has changed. You go to the Oregon DMV website, enter your driver license number and renewal number (from your renewal notice), and answer a series of questions about your address, medical history, and any changes to your name or restrictions. The fee is $97, paid by debit or credit card.

Once you submit, you receive a confirmation number when ready. Oregon then mails you a temporary paper license within a few days, which is valid for driving while your permanent card is being printed. The permanent card arrives in the mail within two to three weeks after that. You do not need to visit an office, take a new photo, or take a test.

Online renewal is not available if your license is expired, if you have a medical hold on your record, if your vision or hearing has changed, or if you need to update your restrictions. In those cases, you must renew in person.

Mail renewal: no office visit, but slower processing

You can renew by mail if your license is current and your medical status has not changed. Oregon sends you a renewal packet by mail about 60 days before expiration. The packet includes a form, instructions, and an envelope. You fill out the form, include a check or money order for $97 payable to "Oregon DMV," and mail it back to the address on the envelope.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the time Oregon receives your packet. Like online renewal, you will receive a temporary paper license by mail first, then your permanent card within two to three weeks after that. You do not need a new photo or to take a test.

If you did not receive a renewal packet, you can request one from the Oregon DMV website or by calling 503-945-6353. Mail renewal is slower than online renewal but costs the same and requires no office visit.

In-person renewal at a DMV office: required if your license is expired or your medical status changed

You must renew in person if your license is expired, if you have a medical hold, or if your vision, hearing, or medical restrictions have changed since your last renewal. Oregon DMV offices are located in Salem, Portland, Eugene, Medford, Bend, Pendleton, and Klamath Falls. You can also renew at some county clerk offices in smaller towns — check the Oregon DMV website to find the office nearest you.

Bring your current license or ID, proof of Oregon residency (utility bill, lease, bank statement, or insurance document dated within 60 days), and $97 in cash, check, or card. If your name has changed, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If your medical status has changed, bring a letter from your doctor or a current medical report. You will have your photo taken and may be asked to read an eye chart or answer questions about your medical history.

Most in-person renewals are completed the same day. You receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your permanent card arrives by mail within two to three weeks. No appointment is required at most offices, but wait times vary — calling ahead or checking the DMV website for current wait times can help you plan.

What documents you need for any renewal method

For online or mail renewal, you need your renewal number (from your renewal notice) or your driver license number and date of birth. You do not need to provide documents — you answer questions about your identity and address instead.

For in-person renewal, bring one form of ID (your current license, passport, state ID, or birth certificate) and one proof of Oregon residency dated within 60 days (utility bill, lease, bank statement, insurance document, or property tax statement). If your name has changed, bring the legal document proving the change. If your medical status has changed, bring a letter from your doctor or medical report.

Oregon does not require a new photo for renewal unless your license is more than 16 years old or you request one. If you want a new photo, you can request it at an in-person renewal or pay $20 for a photo-only update at any DMV office.

Temporary licenses and when your permanent card arrives

Whether you renew online, by mail, or in person, you receive a temporary paper license that is valid for driving when ready. If you renew online or by mail, the temporary license arrives by mail within a few days. If you renew in person, you receive it on the spot. The temporary license is valid for 30 days while your permanent card is being printed.

Your permanent card arrives by mail within two to three weeks after you renew. Once it arrives, the temporary license is no longer valid. If your permanent card does not arrive within four weeks, contact the Oregon DMV to check the status.

Renewing an expired license

If your license expired more than a few months ago, you cannot renew online or by mail — you must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring the same documents as for any in-person renewal: ID, proof of residency, and $97. You will have your photo taken and may be asked about your medical history or vision.

Oregon does not charge a penalty for renewing an expired license, but you cannot legally drive until you have renewed. If you were stopped while driving with an expired license, you may face a traffic citation. Renew as soon as possible to avoid this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Oregon license online if I wear glasses or contacts?

Yes, you can renew online if your vision has not changed. If your vision has gotten worse or better since your last renewal, or if you now wear glasses or contacts when you did not before, you must renew in person so Oregon can test your vision.

What if I moved out of Oregon but still have an Oregon license?

You cannot renew an Oregon license if you no longer live in Oregon. You must get a license from your new state. If you are moving to Oregon and have a license from another state, you can renew it as an Oregon license once you establish residency — bring proof of Oregon residency dated within 60 days.

How much does it cost to renew my Oregon driver license?

Renewal costs $97 whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you want a new photo, add $20. If you renew in person and need to update your address or name, there is no additional fee.

Can I renew my license if I have a suspended or revoked license?

No. If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Contact the Oregon DMV to find out why your license is suspended or revoked and what you need to do to restore it.

What if my renewal notice got lost in the mail?

You can still renew online or by mail without your renewal notice — use your driver license number and date of birth instead of your renewal number. You can also request a new renewal notice from the Oregon DMV website or by calling 503-945-6353.