Oregon lets you renew online, by mail, or in person — and which route you take depends on whether your license is still valid and what documents you have on hand
If your Oregon driver's license has not yet expired, you can renew it online through the Oregon DMV website without visiting an office or mailing anything in. If your license has already expired, you must renew by mail or in person. The online route takes about 10 minutes; mail takes 1 to 2 weeks after you send it; in-person takes as long as your local DMV's wait time on the day you go.
Oregon charges a renewal fee that varies by license type and how many years you are renewing for. A standard five-year renewal costs less than a eight-year renewal. You pay when you submit your process, whether online, by mail, or at the office.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your current license has not yet expired and you have a valid Social Security number on file with Oregon.
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and you receive your new license by mail within 1 to 2 weeks.
- If your license is expired, you must renew by mail or in person and will need to provide proof of identity and residency.
- Oregon allows you to renew for five or eight years; the eight-year option costs more but means fewer renewals over time.
- You can renew in person at any DMV office, but wait times vary by location and time of day.
Renewing online through the Oregon DMV website
Go to the Oregon DMV website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current driver's license number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your identity using this information.
During the online process, you will confirm your address, choose whether to renew for five or eight years, and select whether you want to be an organ donor. You will also be asked if you need to update your address or other information on your license. If you do, the online system will let you make those changes as part of the same transaction.
Pay the renewal fee with a debit card or credit card. Oregon will mail your new license to the address on file. You should receive it within 1 to 2 weeks. Your current license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can continue to use it for identification and driving during that time.
Renewing by mail if your license is expired
If your license has already expired, you cannot use the online system. Instead, read the Driver License Renewal process (Form DL 43) from the Oregon DMV website, fill it out by hand, and mail it to the address listed on the form along with your renewal fee.
You will also need to include proof of identity and proof of your current address. Acceptable identity documents include a passport, a birth certificate, or a state ID card. For proof of address, Oregon accepts a utility bill, a lease, a mortgage statement, or a bank statement dated within the last 60 days and showing your name and current address.
Mail your completed form, fee, and documents to the address on the process. Processing takes 1 to 2 weeks after Oregon receives your packet. Your new license will be mailed to you. If you need your license sooner, you can renew in person instead.
Renewing in person at a DMV office
Visit any Oregon DMV office with your current or expired license, proof of identity, and proof of your current address. Bring the same documents you would mail in: a passport or birth certificate for identity, and a utility bill or bank statement for your address.
You can find your nearest DMV office and check current wait times on the Oregon DMV website. Many offices allow you to check in online before you arrive, which can shorten your wait. When you arrive, you will be asked to confirm your information, choose your renewal term (five or eight years), and decide on organ donor status.
You will pay the renewal fee at the office, and Oregon will photograph you for your new license. You will receive a temporary paper license to use when ready while your plastic card is printed and mailed to you, which takes 1 to 2 weeks.
What to do if your license has been lost, stolen, or damaged
If your license is lost, stolen, or too damaged to use, you cannot renew it online. You must renew in person or by mail and request a replacement rather than a renewal. A replacement costs the same as a renewal but requires you to report the loss or damage.
If your license was stolen, you may want to file a police report first, though Oregon does not require it. Bring your police report number (if you have one) when you renew in person, or include it in your mail packet. This protects you if someone tries to use your old license number fraudulently.
Renewing for five years versus eight years
Oregon offers both a five-year and an eight-year renewal option. The five-year renewal costs less upfront but means you will renew more often. The eight-year renewal costs more but spreads the fee over a longer period and means fewer trips to the DMV or fewer applications to mail.
Choose based on how long you plan to keep your current address and whether you expect your appearance to change significantly. If you are planning to move out of state or expect major changes to your appearance, a five-year renewal might be simpler. If you plan to stay in Oregon and want to minimize renewals, the eight-year option is usually the better choice.
Updating your address or other information during renewal
If you are renewing online, you can update your address, phone number, or email as part of the same transaction. straightforward enter your new information when prompted and confirm the changes before you pay.
If you are renewing by mail or in person, you can also update your information at the same time. Tell the DMV staff what needs to change, or write it clearly on your process form if you are mailing. There is no extra fee to update your address during a renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Oregon license if I moved out of state?
No. Oregon requires you to hold a valid Oregon address to renew an Oregon license. If you have moved out of state, you will need to get a license in your new state instead. You can surrender your Oregon license at any DMV office or by mail.
What if I do not have a Social Security number?
You cannot renew online without a Social Security number. You can renew by mail or in person instead. Bring your passport or other federal identity document along with proof of your address, and the DMV staff will process your renewal manually.
How long does my temporary paper license last?
Your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days. Your plastic license should arrive by mail within 1 to 2 weeks, but if it does not, contact the Oregon DMV to check the status. Do not drive with an expired temporary license.
Can I renew my license if it is suspended or revoked?
No. You must resolve the suspension or revocation with the Oregon DMV before you can renew. Contact the DMV to find out what steps you need to take to clear the suspension, then renew once it is lifted.
What if I want to change my name on my license during renewal?
You cannot change your name through the online renewal system. You must renew in person or by mail and bring a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree showing your legal name change. The DMV will update your name as part of the renewal.