Where to renew and what you'll need
You can renew your Oregon driver's license at any DMV office, by mail, or online through the Oregon DMV website — but not all renewal types work with every method. If your license is not expired and you have no medical conditions or legal holds on your record, you can renew online or by mail without visiting an office. If your license is already expired, you must go to a DMV office in person.
Before you start, gather these documents: your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current Oregon address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you've changed your name since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Your renewal is valid for eight years if you're under 50, or four years if you're 50 or older. Oregon does not charge different fees based on how you renew, but online and mail renewals cost less than an in-person visit because you avoid the ID verification fee.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Oregon DMV website takes about 10 minutes and costs less than renewing in person, but only works if your license is not expired and you have no medical restrictions.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to send your current license and a completed form to the DMV, then wait for your new license to arrive by mail.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office is the only option if your license is expired, and you should bring your current license, proof of address, and proof of Social Security number.
- Oregon charges one fee for all renewal methods, but the in-person fee includes an ID verification charge that online and mail renewals do not.
- Your new license will be mailed to your address on file, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person — you cannot pick it up at the DMV office.
Renewing online through the Oregon DMV website
Online renewal is the fastest option if you're not expired and have no medical holds or restrictions. Go to the Oregon DMV website, select "Renew Your Driver License," and log in with your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will ask you to confirm your personal information, your address, and whether you want to donate to the Oregon Nongame Wildlife Fund (optional). You'll pay the renewal fee by debit or credit card.
After you submit, you'll receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 10 to 14 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If you need to change your address, update your vehicle registration, or add a Real ID star to your license, you cannot do these through online renewal — you'll need to renew by mail or in person instead.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal works for the same situations as online renewal — your license must not be expired, and you must have no medical restrictions or legal holds. read the Driver License Renewal process (Form 735-2) from the Oregon DMV website, fill it out completely, and sign it. Include your current driver's license and proof of your address (a utility bill or bank statement dated within the last 60 days).
Mail the form, your license, and proof of address to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee — do not send cash. The DMV will process your renewal and mail your new license back to you within two to three weeks. Your current license remains valid until your new one arrives, so you can drive legally during this time.
Mail renewal is useful if you cannot visit a DMV office and do not have internet access, or if you want to make changes to your license that the online system does not allow. If you need to add a Real ID star, change your address, or update your vehicle information, mail renewal gives you the option to do so on the same form.
Renewing in person at a DMV office
You must renew in person if your license is expired, if you have medical restrictions that need to be reviewed, or if you have any legal holds on your driving record. Bring your current license (or an expired license if your current one is missing), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. If you've changed your name, bring the certified document that shows the change.
Go to any DMV office during business hours — no appointment is needed for standard renewals, but wait times vary by location and time of day. The DMV staff will verify your identity, take a new photo, and process your renewal on the spot. You'll pay the renewal fee at the counter. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 10 to 14 business days.
If you're renewing in person because your license is expired, the DMV may ask you to take a vision test or answer questions about your driving record. Be prepared to show that you still meet Oregon's requirements to drive. If you have medical conditions that affect your driving, the DMV may place restrictions on your new license or ask you to provide a medical report from your doctor.
What happens if your license is expired
If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license instead. This means you'll need to take the written test and the driving test again, not just renew. If your license expired less than one year ago, you can still renew it by going to a DMV office in person.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Oregon, even if you've already started the renewal process. If you're pulled over, you can show the DMV confirmation number from your online or mail renewal to prove you've applied, but this does not may provide you'll avoid a citation. The safest approach is to renew before your license expires, or to stop driving until your new license arrives.
Fees and payment methods
Oregon charges one standard renewal fee for all methods — online, mail, and in-person. The fee varies based on how long your new license will be valid (four or eight years) and whether you're adding a Real ID star. You can pay by debit card, credit card, or check (by mail only) — the DMV does not accept cash by mail, but does accept it in person.
If you renew in person, there is an additional ID verification fee on top of the renewal fee. This fee does not explore to online or mail renewals. If you're unsure of the exact fee for your situation, call the Oregon DMV at 503-945-5000 or check the DMV website before you renew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it's been expired for more than a year?
No. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must explore for a new license instead of renewing. This means taking the written test and driving test again. If it's been less than one year, you can still renew by visiting a DMV office in person.
Do I need a Real ID star on my Oregon license?
A Real ID star is required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building as of May 2025. If you don't have one, you can add it during renewal by going in person or by mail — online renewal does not offer this option. You'll need to bring proof of citizenship (passport or birth certificate) and proof of your Social Security number.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online and in-person renewals take 10 to 14 business days to arrive by mail. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks because the DMV must receive your form first, then process it and mail your license back. You can drive on your current license until your new one arrives.
What if I move to a different address after I renew?
You must update your address with the DMV within 30 days of moving. You can do this online through the Oregon DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Updating your address does not require a new license photo — it's a separate transaction.
Can I pick up my renewed license at the DMV office instead of having it mailed?
No. Oregon mails all renewed licenses to your address on file, regardless of how you renew. You cannot pick it up at the office. If you need your license urgently, renewing online or in person will get it to you fastest — 10 to 14 business days.