Oregon Drivers License Instructions

DMV got you confused? Check out our easy instructions for getting your Oregon drivers license.

1. Study for the Oregon learners permit / provisional instruction permit test

2. Apply for the Oregon learners permit / provisional instruction permit

3. Take Oregon drivers education and practice driving under supervision

4. Take the driving test for the Oregon drivers license

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4

1. Study for the learners permit / provisional instruction permit test.

In order to get the provisional instruction permit and eventually the Oregon drivers license, everyone regardless of age must pass a written test on traffic laws and signs. Most people fail this test on their first try.

Pass the first time when you learn the rules of the road with DriversEd.com and prepare for the provisional instruction permit test with our Oregon DMV practice permit tests. Our online practice permit tests can be purchased separately or are free when you purchase our online Oregon drivers education course.

2. Apply for the OR learners permit / provisional instruction permit

Apply for the instruction permit at your local DMV.

In order to be eligible for the provisional instruction permit, you must:

Be at least 15 years old.
Surrender any valid permit issued by another jurisdiction (such as another state) or an Oregon Identification Card.
Complete a Driver License/Identification Card Application. The application must be signed byparent or legal guardian if you are under 18 and not married or an emancipated minor.
Answer medical questions: All driver license applicants must answer a series of medical questions when applying for an original, renewal or replacement driver license (OAR 735-062-0000(2)). If you answer “yes” to one of the medical questions, indicating you have a medical condition that makes you unable to drive safely, you are not eligible for a license. DMV will not be able to issue you a license until you have established that your medical condition does not affect your ability to drive safely. To do so, DMV may ask you to provide additional medical information and/or pass DMV tests.
Provide proof of identity and residence address. View acceptable documents.
Provide your Social Security number (SSN).
Pass the knowledge test
Pass a vision screening test.
Provideproof of school enrollment, completion or exemption if you are under 18.
Pay appropriate testing and issuance fees.
Not have suspended or revoked driving privileges in Oregon or any other state.

Once you pass the knowledge test, you will be issued an instruction permit.

Instruction Permit—18 or older

This permit allows you to practice driving any vehicle for which a Commercial Driver License (CDL)is not required, except a motorcycle, when you are accompanied by a person who isat least 21 years of age,has a valid Non-Commercial Class C or higher driver license and is seated in the front seat next to you.

Provisional Instruction Permit—under 18

With a provisional instruction permit you may only operate a vehicle with a person 21 years of age or older who has a valid driver license for at least three years and is seated in the seat next to you.

Provisional instruction permits are valid for twenty-four months from the date of issuance and are not renewable. If your permit has expired and is expired for less then one year you may re-apply for an original instruction permit and pay the original fees. If your permit has been expired for more than one year you will be required to successfully complete the knowledge and vision test and pay all applicable fees.

3. Take OR drivers ed and practice driving under supervision

Under 18:
If you are under 18, you must hold your provisional instruction permit for at least 6 months and do one of the following:

Take an ODOT approved drivers education course and log at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving, OR
Log at least 100 hours of supervised practice driving

Whatever you choose, DriversEd.com can help make this supervised driving period less stressful. Our Behind-the-Wheel Training Guide teaches important concepts and guides parents step-by-step through the process of teaching their teen to drive. It also comes with a FREE Passenger Side Rear-View Mirror which allows you to see exactly what your teen sees when behind the wheel.

18 or older:
If you are 18 or older, drivers education is not mandatory in Oregon. However, it’s always a good idea for new drivers to take an Oregon drivers education course. With quality drivers education, you can:

Learn the rules of the road and essential safe driving skills
Have a better chance of passing your learners permit test
Qualify for an auto insurance discount (where applicable)

Take the DriversEd.com OR drivers education course online at your own pace and on your own schedule.

Note: this course will not satisfy the Oregon drivers education requirement for new drivers under 18.

4. Take the driving test for the OR drivers license

Schedule an appointment for your driving test at a DMV office near you.

In order to be eligible for the Oregon drivers license, you must:

Be at least 16 years of age
Provide your Social Security Number (SSN);
Provide proof of identity and residence address (required acceptable documents for proof must be presented each time you apply);
Have had an instruction permit from Oregon, another state or the District of Columbia for at least six months if you are under 18.
Provide proof of school enrollment, completion or exemption if you are under 18.
Present a certificate of completion from an ODOT approved drivers education course and have a parent or legal guardian certify that you have at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice OR complete an additional 100 hours of supervised driving experience certified by a parent or legal guardian.
Complete a Driver License/Identification Card form and, if you are under 18, obtain a parent or legal guardian's signature on it (unless married or an emancipated minor).
Answer medical questions: All driver license applicants must answer a series of medical questions when applying for an original, renewal or replacement driver license (OAR 735-062-0000(2)). If you answer “yes” to one of the medical questions, indicating you have a medical condition that makes you unable to drive safely, you are not eligible for a license. DMV will not be able to issue you a license until you have established that your medical condition does not affect your ability to drive safely. To do so, DMV may ask you to provide additional medical information and/or pass DMV tests.
Pass a Safe Driving Practices Test if you are under 18.
Pass a vision screening test.
Pass thebehind-the-wheel drive testconducted by DMV in a non-commercial Class C vehicle.
Bringproof of vehicle insuranceto your drive test appointment.
Pay appropriate testing and issuance fees.
Surrender any valid driver license or permit issued by another state.
Not have suspended or revoked driving privileges in Oregon or any other state.

Once you pass the driving test, you will be issued an Oregon drivers license.

Provisional Drivers License

If you are under 18, your license will have the following restrictions:

For the first six (months after issuance, you can not drive with a passenger under age 20 who is not a member of your immediate family.*

For the second six months after issuance, you can not drive with more than three passengers who are under age 20 who are not members of your immediate family.*

For the first year after issuance of your license, you can not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are:

Driving between home and work;
Driving between home and a school event for which there is no other transportation available;
Driving for employment purposes; or
Accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old.

*Passenger restrictions do not apply while driving with an instructor as part of a certified traffic safety education course or with a parent, stepparent, or legal guardian who has valid driving privileges.

NOTE: The restrictions above only apply until you are 18 or you have had your provisional license for one year; whichever comes first.

DriversEd.com is a privately held company and is in no way associated with the Department of Motor Vehicles or any other government agency. DriversEd.com does not claim any responsibility for the accuracy of the drivers license information posted within or for the business practices associated with any other schools listed on the DriversEd.com site. For up-to-date information, please consult your local Department of Motor Vehicles or vehicle registration agency. Also, DriversEd.com is not liable for any information or claims posted within third party links.

‡ Discount does not apply to in-car lessons, traffic school courses, and Utah and Indiana drivers ed courses.