Learn how to get your OR learner's permit or driver's license and schedule your driving test in Oregon with this step-by-step guide. Discover what to expect, things you need, and how to get behind the wheel faster.
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The charm of Oregon is incomplete without a good road trip. Pacific Coast Scenic byway, Hells Canyon or Crater Lake National Park will all require a car and the ability to drive. Follow this full step-by-step guide to getting, renewing or transferring your driver license in Oregon and enjoy your drive! If you're planning a road trip through Oregon's picturesque landscapes and might be driving a manual transmission vehicle, make sure you're equipped with the right skills. Learn the essentials with our How to Drive a Stick Shift guide.
Pro tip: To enjoy Oregon's beautiful coastline and lush forests, one must be equipped with robust driving skills. Our guides on driving a manual vehicle and executing parallel parking will serve you well. Become skilled at reverse parking and three-point turns with our instructions. Accurate mirror settings are essential for a clear view. Use our Online Driving Simulator to practice your driving, and for international visitors, check out Oregon's international driver's license stipulations.
It is the most common non-commercial driver license that allows you to drive regular cars up to 26,000 pounds and tow a trailer up to 10,000 pounds as well as a moped, an emergency vehicle or recreational vehicle for personal use. Read the OR Driver Manual or take a free OR DMV practice test.
These are commercial driver licenses (CDL) that allow you to operate any combination of vehicles (Class A); any vehicle with GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more or towing a vehicle with GVWR not in excess of 10,000 pounds (Class B); any single smaller vehicle that doesn't fit into class A or B and transports 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or is placarded for transportation of hazardous materials (Class C). Read the OR Commercial Driver Manual or take a free OR CDL practice test.
It is a motorcycle endorsement that allows you to operate motorcycles on public roads. You must possess a valid Oregon driver license of any class to apply for a motorcycle endorsement. Read the OR Motorcycle & Moped Manual or take a free OR motorcycle practice test.
To apply for your first driver license in Oregon, you must gather documentation and pass a vision, knowledge, safe driving practices, and drive test. This is your complete plan of action depending on your age.
Apply for Provisional Instruction Permit Apply for Provisional Driver License Apply for Unrestricted Driver LicenseGetting a provisional instruction permit is the first step to becoming a licensed driver for teenagers over 15 years of age. The permit allows you to drive accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years of age sitting beside you.
You can download it here. Your parent/guardian must sign it with you and certify that you attend school. If you don't attend school, bring proof of GED or high school graduation.
Visit a DMV office of your choice. You may check wait times at some of the offices here. No appointments are available.
Choose suitable documents using this list.
Your eyesight will be tested to confirm you see well enough to drive. Wear glasses or lenses if necessary. If you fail the vision test, you will be sent to a licensed vision specialist.
The test has 35 multiple-choice questions about Oregon traffic laws, road signs and safe driving practices. If you fail the test, you must wait at least one day before retaking it. Read Frequently Asked Questions about the Knowledge Test and practice with OR DMV practice tests before you go.
See top 7 tips for an excellent driver's license photo. Note that in the picture you may not have any glasses, head coverings other than religious, contacts that change the appearance of your eye, face paint, stickers and bandages.
Your permit will be mailed to your address. It will be valid for 2 years and can be renewed if necessary.
You must carry your permit for at least 6 months to be able to apply for the provisional license. Note that your supervising driver must be licensed for at least 3 years. Otherwise, your driving won’t count toward the formal practice requirements.
The provisional license allows 16-17 old drivers to operate a vehicle on their own but with a number of restrictions:
You can pay by cash, checks, debit and credit cards. If you pay by check, please have 2 separate checks.
All the driver license restrictions will apply till you are 18 years of age or hold your provisional license for a year whichever comes first.
You may obtain the unrestricted driver license at the age of 18. If you have never been licensed in the United States, start with step 1. If you have an instruction permit, start with step 8.
Visit a DMV office of your choice. You may check wait times at some of the offices here. No appointments are available.
Choose suitable documents using this list.
Your eyesight will be tested to confirm you see well enough to drive. Wear glasses or lenses if necessary. If you fail the vision test, you will be sent to a licensed vision specialist.
$5.00 by cash, checks, debit and credit cards.
The test has 35 multiple-choice questions about Oregon traffic laws, road signs and safe driving practices. If you fail the test, you must wait at least one day before retaking it. Read Frequently Asked Questions about the Knowledge Test and practice with OR DMV practice tests before you go.
It will allow you to practice driving supervised by a licensed driver 21+. Pay the permit fee of $ 23.50.
You may schedule your appointment with DMV by calling 503-945-5000 or you may take the drive test with a Class C Testing Business. If you turn a hard plastic Driver Education Certificate of Completion card issued by the State of Oregon, Transportation Safety Division, your drive test will be waived.
You can pay by cash, checks, debit and credit cards. If you pay by check, please have 2 separate checks.
The vehicle you bring must have current registration and insurance. The test will check your ability to drive safely. Read about the road test procedure here. If you fail it, you will have to wait at least one day to retake it. If you fail it 4 times, wait 28 days before retaking it.
See top 7 tips for an excellent driver's license photo. Note that in the picture you may not have any glasses, head coverings other than religious, contacts that change the appearance of your eye, face paint, stickers and bandages.
There are 35 multiple-choice questions about Oregon rules of the road, signs, and markings, and other traffic laws. You are required to answer 28 of them correctly to pass the test. The test is administered on touchscreen computers.
How to prepare for the test?Study OR Driver Manual as all questions are based on the information provided there. Then prepare with the help of our practice tests available here. When you feel comfortable with your score, you are ready! You can also download our free DMV Genie app to study on the go. Get it on the App Store or on Google Play.
What common errors must I avoid when taking the OR knowledge test?The most common mistake comes from not knowing enough information out of the manual. This happens when people study solely with practice tests. Make sure you read the manual first. Another problem is rushing through questions. Take your time and remember what you have studied.
When should I arrive for the test?Check office hours of the location you choose and keep in mind that you won’t be tested one hour before closing. Appointments are not required unless you need special accommodation. The busiest times are early mornings, late afternoons, lunch time, Mondays and Fridays.
Can I use the manual when taking the actual test?No, it’s considered cheating. You may not talk as well. If you are caught cheating, your test will be cancelled and you will not be allowed to retest for 90 days.
What items are prohibited in the testing area? You may not have any books, notes, phones and other electronic devices. Can I take the test in another language?Yes. The following languages are available: English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese. You may also use a translator from other languages. You may be allowed to use a dictionary.
What happens if I fail the test?You may retake it as early as the next business day for another $5.00 fee. If you fail the test 4 times, you may not retest for 28 days. The same applies to all subsequent failures.
Do I have to take the Safe Driving Practices Test?If you are under 18 years of age, you will have to take it as well. It consists of 20 multiple-choice questions about safe driving practices. All the information can be found in OR Driver Manual. The test is free and may be taken no sooner than 30 days before your 16 th birthday.
The drive (behind-the-wheel) test measures your driving skills and knowledge of traffic rules, highway signs, and signals. The test will last about 20 minutes. The drive tests are by appointment only. You can either schedule a test with DMV by calling 503-945-5000 or with a Class C testing business.
Before you start driving, the examiner will check your vehicle. If it doesn't pass the equipment check, your exam will be cancelled. Make sure the following equipment is in good order:
You are also required to
This is when you must show that you can drive safely and follow traffic rules. The examiner will sit next to you and give you directions. Only you and the examiner are allowed in your car. The examiner will not try to trick you or ask you to do anything illegal. You start your test with 100 points and will lose some for each error. Your job is to keep at least 76 points.
The following skills will be evaluated:
You will fail the test immediately if you make one of the following errors:
At the end of the test, the examiner will let you know whether you pass or fail and explain your errors. If you pass, you will have your picture taken and you will be issued the interim license.
If you fail for the first time, you will have to wait for 7 days before your next attempt. If it is your 2 nd failure, wait for 14 days. If it is your 3 rd or 4 th failure, the waiting time is 28 days. In the case of the 5 th failure, the waiting time is increased to one year. Each new attempt costs $9.00.
If you plan to keep driving in Oregon, you must get your Oregon driver license within 30 days of establishing your OR residency.
Not sure if you are a resident of Oregon?You're considered resident for driver license purposes if any of the following is true
You don't need to convert your existing license to an OR driver license if
To convert your out-of-state driver license, you will have to visit a DMV office in person, bring documentation, and pass a vision and knowledge test.
Plan of ActionChoose suitable documents using this list.
You can pay by cash, checks, debit and credit cards. If you pay by check, please have 2 separate checks.
Starting from spring 2019, DMV will issue a new card design which meets or exceeds national standards. Starting from summer 2020, Oregon residents will be able to get Real ID complaint licenses.
If you plan to keep driving in Oregon, you may use your valid foreign license for up to one year after arriving here. To convert your existing license to the Oregon Driving License, you will have to take vision, knowledge and drive tests. Please follow the procedure in this guide. If you have been licensed in Germany or South Korea, your drive test will be waived and the procedure will be the same as transferring your out-of-state driver license.
