How to Renew Your Oregon Driver's License Online or by Mail

Oregon lets you renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your license type and how long it has been expired

The Oregon DMV website (oregondmv.com) handles renewals for standard driver's licenses and ID cards that have not expired more than five years ago. Most people can renew without visiting an office — you can do it online through their renewal portal, by mail with a paper form, or in person at a DMV office. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, whether you need to update your address or photo, and how quickly you need the new card.

Online renewal is the fastest route if your current license is not expired and your information has not changed. Mail renewal takes longer but works if you prefer not to use the website. In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need a new photo, or if you are changing your name or address and want to update it in person.

Key Takeaways

Oregon DMV online renewal at oregondmv.com works only if your license expired within the last five years and you have not changed your name or address.
Mail renewal requires Oregon DMV Form 735-2, your current license, and payment by check or money order; processing takes two to three weeks after the DMV receives it.
In-person renewal at any Oregon DMV office is required if your license expired more than five years ago or if you need a new photo.
Online renewal costs the same as mail renewal and produces a temporary paper license you can use when ready while your card is mailed to you.
Your new license is mailed to the address on file, so update your address before you renew if you have moved.

Online renewal through oregondmv.com

To renew online, go to oregondmv.com and look for the renewal portal on the homepage. You will need your current Oregon 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 and then ask you to review and confirm your current address, name, and other details.

Online renewal works only if your license has not expired more than five years ago and you are not changing your name, address, or requesting a new photo. If any of those conditions do not explore to you, the system will tell you that you must renew in person or by mail. Once you complete the online form, you will pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card. Oregon DMV will mail your new license to the address on file and issue you a temporary paper license that you can print and use when ready.

Processing time for online renewals is typically one to two weeks from the date you submit, though the DMV does not may provide a specific arrival date. Your temporary paper license is valid for driving while you wait for the physical card.

Mail renewal using Oregon DMV Form 735-2

To renew by mail, read Oregon DMV Form 735-2 from oregondmv.com or request it by phone at 503-945-6353. Fill out the form completely, including your current license number, date of birth, and current address. Attach your current driver's license or a copy of it, and include payment for the renewal fee by check or money order made payable to "Oregon DMV."

Mail your completed form and payment to the address listed on the form — typically the Oregon DMV office in Salem. Do not send cash. Include a return envelope with postage if you want the DMV to return your old license to you; otherwise, the DMV will destroy it. Processing takes two to three weeks after the DMV receives your envelope, so mail your renewal at least four weeks before your license expires if you need it by a specific date.

Mail renewal is useful if you do not have internet access, prefer not to use a credit card online, or want a paper record of your renewal. You will not receive a temporary license by mail, so plan ahead if you need to drive before your new card arrives.

In-person renewal at an Oregon DMV office

Visit any Oregon DMV office to renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need a new photo, or if you are changing your name or address and want to do it face-to-face. Bring your current license (or expired license if it is more than five years old), proof of your current address such as a utility bill or lease, and payment by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

DMV offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours; hours vary by location. Check oregondmv.com for the office nearest you and its hours before you go. In-person renewal usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, and you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot. Your permanent license will be mailed to the address you provide at the office within one to two weeks.

Arriving early in the day or on a Tuesday or Wednesday typically means shorter wait times than late afternoon or Friday visits. Some offices allow you to reserve a time slot through oregondmv.com; check your local office's page to see if this option is available.

Renewal fees and payment methods

Oregon driver's license renewal fees vary based on the length of the license you are renewing for. A standard four-year renewal costs less than an eight-year renewal. The exact fee is listed on oregondmv.com and on Form 735-2. Online and in-person renewals accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Mail renewal accepts only check or money order.

If you are renewing online or in person, you pay at the time of renewal. If you are renewing by mail, include your payment with your form. Do not send cash by mail. If your check is returned for insufficient funds, the DMV will contact you and may charge an additional fee.

What to do if your license has been expired for more than five years

If your Oregon driver's license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license. This requires an in-person visit to an Oregon DMV office. Bring proof of identity such as a passport or birth certificate, proof of your Social Security number such as a Social Security card or tax return, and proof of your current address such as a utility bill or lease.

You will also need to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test at the DMV office. The DMV will take a new photo for your license. This process takes longer than a renewal and costs more, so plan for a full appointment rather than a quick visit. Check oregondmv.com for the office nearest you and call ahead if you want to confirm what documents they need.

Updating your address before or during renewal

If you have moved since your current license was issued, update your address before you renew. Your new license will be mailed to whatever address is on file with the DMV, so if you do not update it, your new license will go to your old address and you will have to contact the DMV to have it reissued.

If you are renewing online, the system will show your current address on file and let you change it before you submit. If you are renewing by mail, write your new address clearly on Form 735-2. If you are renewing in person, bring proof of your new address and tell the DMV staff that you have moved. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail with your name and current address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it is already expired?

Yes, as long as it expired within the last five years. You can renew online, by mail, or in person. If it expired more than five years ago, you must explore for a new license in person at a DMV office, not renew.

What if I need my new license before the mail arrives?

Online and in-person renewals give you a temporary paper license when ready that is valid for driving. Mail renewal does not include a temporary license, so if you need to drive before your card arrives, renew online or in person instead.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

Not if you renew online or by mail — the DMV uses your current photo. If you want a new photo or if your current license is more than eight years old, you must renew in person at a DMV office.

What happens if I move after I renew but before my new license arrives?

Contact the Oregon DMV and give them your new address. They can remail your license to the correct address. Call 503-945-6353 or use the contact form on oregondmv.com to report the change.

Can I renew someone else's license for them?

No. The person whose license it is must renew it themselves, either online, by mail, or in person. A parent or guardian cannot renew an adult's license without their permission and involvement.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.