You must apply for a drivers license in Oregon in order to legally operate a motor vehicle in the state as a resident. To do so, you must submit an application to the Driver and Motor Vehicles (DMV) division, which is managed by the state’s Department of Transportation (DOT). In general, an OR DMV license can be requested by motorists who are at least 15 years of age and able to prove state residency.

If you are younger than 18 years of age and applying for a DMV driver’s license, you must follow a somewhat different application procedure. In most cases, these applicants are expected to enroll in a state-approved driver’s education course and obtain a learner’s permit before they can apply for a license with full privileges. On the other hand, motorists who are older than 18 years of age, hold an out-of-state license and have recently transferred to Oregon must file a request for their driving credential to be transferred to OR. To learn more about how to apply for a driver’s license in the state, read the sections below.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Oregon as an Adult (18 or Older)

Motorists who are 18 years of age or older can request a new drivers license in Oregon by meeting the eligibility criteria established by the state DMV. It is important to note that applicants cannot request a driver’s license online in OR. Instead, they must provide all supporting materials and application forms in person when submitting this request.

During your DMV office visit, you will also be expected to take one or more of the state-required exams, such as the knowledge and the road skills tests. On the other hand, drivers who are transferring a driving credential from another state will not be asked to retake these state-required exams.

Documents Required to Obtain a New Drivers License in Oregon

Getting an Oregon drivers license begins with gathering the necessary supporting documents that demonstrate that a motorist meets the state’s eligibility requirements. Important OR drivers license requirements include providing valid forms of identification and proof of residency. Acceptable documents to prove identity include but are not limited to a combination of the following:

  • Official government-issued birth document issued by a U.S. state, county, city or territory.
  • S. passport or passport card, as long as it has not been expired for more than 5 years.
  • Certificate of citizenship or naturalization.
  • S. consular report of birth abroad, certificate of birth abroad or a report of a child born abroad of American parent(s).

Motorists wondering where to get a drivers license in Oregon should know that application requirements remain the same in every location. Examples of acceptable documents to establish state residency include:

  • Any document that verifies an applicant’s legal U.S. status and/or identity, as detailed in the previous list.
  • Any document issued by a financial institution that includes your residence address.
  • Any item delivered by the United States Postal Service, FedEx or UPS sent by a verifiable business or government agency.

When you apply for a drivers license in Oregon as a U.S. citizen, you must also be able to provide your Social Security Number (SSN). As a general rule, an OR driving license application cannot be submitted by motorists who have a suspended, canceled or revoked license issued by any state.

Steps to Get a New Driver’s License in Oregon as an Adult

All driver’s license services are carried out by Oregon DMV locations across the state. Once the applicant has gathered enough driver’s license information and is ready to submit an application, he or she can take the following steps:

  1. Prepare acceptable forms of identification and proof of residency to meet the driver’s license eligibility requirements, as outlined previously.
  2. Print out or pick up an “Application for Driving Privileges or ID Card” form, which must be filled out and signed.
  3. Locate the nearest DMV location that accepts license applications. If possible, make an appointment. Otherwise, make an in-person visit to your DMV office of choice during its open office hours.
  4. While at the DMV, pass a vision screening and a written knowledge test. Then, call to schedule a driving skills test appointment, which you must also pass.
  5. Take a photo that will be displayed on your DMV license Any items that cover your face or changes your appearance will not be permitted in the photo, including:
    1. Eyeglasses or sunglasses
    2. Hat or head covering item (other than religious)
    3. Contacts that change the appearance/color of the eyes
    4. Stickers, bandages or face paint
  1. Pay the applicable driver’s license cost via an acceptable payment method.
  2. Receive an interim license. Your permanent license will be mailed to your mailing address on file.

Getting an Oregon Drivers License as a New Resident

Motorists who have moved to Oregon from another state or country are required to request a new driver’s license from the OR DMV within 30 days of establishing residency in the state. New residents wondering how to get a driver’s license must be mindful that they will not be required to take all of the state’s exams. On the other hand, these applicants must provide the same supporting documentation verifying their identity and residency as long-term OR residents.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Oregon as a Teen (Younger Than 18)

The process of getting a drivers license as a motorist who is younger than 18 years of age is similar to the procedure of obtaining a license for adults. However, it includes a few additional requirements. In general, teen motorists are eligible for two different types of DMV driver’s licenses: a learner’s permit and a full license. Other than the identification and residency requirements that are mandated to applicants of all ages, teens must also enroll in some form of driver’s education program.

Drivers license requirements for teen motorists depend on their precise ages. For instance, drivers who are 15 years of age are only eligible for an instruction permit, allowing them to practice driving under the supervision of a licensed adult over 21 years of age who has held a license for at least three years. On the other hand, applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age can apply for a learner’s permit or a full DMV license if they meet the additional requirements outlined below:

  • Have a parent certification attesting to the driver’s enrollment in school or a GED program.
  • Have an instruction permit for at least six months (out-of-state permits held for less than six months are invalid).
  • Complete 100 hours of supervised driving OR 50 hours of supervised driving and an approved driver’s education program.

New motorists applying for a drivers license are encouraged to enroll in a state-approved traffic safety program before taking the required knowledge and road skills exams. There are several courses that covered relevant driver’s license information and skills, which can help motorists be sure that they will pass the necessary exams when submitting the application.

Family members and friends who are 21 years of age or older and have had a valid license for at least three years are encouraged to help new drivers learn the necessary skills and meet their practice hour requirements.

Steps to Get a New Driver’s License in Oregon as a Teen

Teens who are getting a new driver’s license must follow the same basic application steps outlined for adults above, in addition to meeting the necessary driving practice hours and education requirements mentioned in the previous section. Furthermore, young drivers must take the following steps to receive their Provisional Instruction Permit:

  1. Submit acceptable forms of identification and proof of residency, which is the same requirement for a standard driver’s license with full privileges.
  2. Print out or pick up an “Application for Driving Privileges or ID Card” form. Check the box for “CLASS C RESTR’D”. Complete the form, then have your parents sign it.
  3. Visit the nearest DMV location.
  4. Undergo a vision screen, then take and pass a written knowledge test.
  5. Take a photo that will be displayed on the physical DMV license
  6. Pay the applicable fee for instructional permits.
  7. Receive an interim license. A provisional instruction permit will be mailed to your mailing address on record.

Oregon Drivers License Costs

The drivers license cost for every driver can vary based on a couple of factors.

Applicants for a DMV license in Oregon can expect to pay the following fees for a new license:

  • Driver License – Class C (non-commercial): $60
  • Instruction Permit – Class C Driver’s License (non-commercial, valid for 2 years): $23.50
  • Permit – Disability Golf Cart: $50
  • Permit – Emergency or Special Student Driver: $23.50
  • Permit – Probationary (non-refundable): $50
Last updated on Tuesday, March 3 2020.