Get a Driver License - Over 18

To Get a Driver License

Determine if you want a Real ID;
Study the Oregon Driver Manual;
Go to DMV2U and start the online pre-application, if you have not been issued an Oregon credential before;
Make an appointment or visit a DMV office for standby service;
Show proof of your residence address and identity (if you want a Real ID you must bring additional documents);
Pass a vision test;
Optional - take the practice knowledge test;
Pass the knowledge test, if required;
Optional - Get Driver Training or get an instruction permit;
Schedule a drive test, if required;
Pass the drive test, if required;
Pay the fees that apply; and
Get your picture taken.

Under 18?

You will have different things to do. The instructions for you are on our Teen Site.

Additional Requirements

You must turn in any driver license, permit, or ID Card from Oregon, another state or country if you have one.
You cannot be suspended, cancelled, or revoked in Oregon or any other state.
Print a list of documents needed to get a Real ID.

Miscellaneous Information

You will get an interim card to use as proof of driving privileges. Note: Many government agencies and businesses, such as the Transportation Security Administration and Social Security Administration, do not accept the interim card as proof of identification. Check with the agency or business before you go to find out what documents they will accept.
You will get a limited term Real ID license if you are temporarily residing in the U.S. Real ID limited term licenses expire on the same date as your authorized length of stay, or in 1 year if your stay is indefinite.
Your license will be mailed to the address you provide to DMV. If you move, it will not go to a forwarding address.
Photo Rules - These items are not allowed in a photo:
- Eyeglasses;
- Sunglasses;
- Hat or head covering (other than religious);
- Contacts that change the appearance of the eye;
- Face paint;
- Stickers or bandages; or
- Anything that covers your face or changes your appearance.

Renewing or Replacing a Driver License

Do you need to switch to a Real ID?

In May of 2025, to board an airplane, you will need a particular type of identification such as a passport or a Real ID-compliant driver license or ID card. Find out more about Real ID. To switch to a Real ID-compliant license or ID card, you need to make an appointment or visit a DMV office for standby service.

When you can renew:

Up to 12 months before or 2 years after your license expires;
Six months after military discharge;
Out of state? Call DMV at 503-945-5000 or check to see if you are eligible to renew online.

You will have to apply for a new driver license, pay the original fee and take tests if your Oregon license has been expired for more than 2 years.

You may renew online if you:

Have a photo on file with DMV that is less than nine years old;
Want to keep your current photo, height and weight;
Have changed your address; and you can provide proof this is your current address;
Do not need or want a Real ID;
Do not have a farm or hazmat endorsement;
Do not want to add or remove restrictions or endorsements;
Do not hold a limited term license;
Are not suspended, cancelled or revoked in Oregon or another state; and
Can pay your renewal fee with a debit or credit card.

Note: If you are 50 years old or older, the eye exam will be waived for online renewals.

To renew online, you need to:

Go online;
Answer security questions;
Answer medical questions;
Upload proof of current residence address, if your address has changed in the last nine (9) years; and
Pay the $40 renewal fee, or $70 for a Real ID.

After you meet all the requirements:

You will get an online receipt to use as proof of valid driving privileges. Note: Many government agencies and businesses, such as the Transportation Security Administration and Social Security Administration, do not accept the online receipt as proof of identification. Check with the agency or business before you go to find out what documents they will accept.
Your license will be mailed to the address you provide to DMV. If you move or have a forwarding order on file with USPS the card will not be forwarded.

If you decide to renew in person at a DMV office, you need to:

Determine if you want a Real ID (there are additional requirements that you must meet);
Make an appointment or visit a DMV office for standby service;
Show proof of physical address and identity; (if you want a Real ID you must bring additional documents); if Real ID limited term, show proof that your authorized stay is still in effect or has been extended;
Pass a vision test if you are 50 or older;
Pay the $40 renewal fee, or $70 for a Real ID; and
Get your picture taken.

After you meet all the requirements:

You will get an interim card to use as proof of valid driving privileges. Note: Many government agencies and businesses, such as the Transportation Security Administration and Social Security Administration, do not accept the interim card as proof of identification. Check with the agency or business before you go to find out what documents they will accept.
Your license will be mailed to the address you provide to DMV. If you move or have a forwarding order on file with USPS the card will not be forwarded.

DMV will issue a replacement driver license if:

It is lost, stolen or damaged;
You want a Real ID compliant card (you must make an appointment at a DMV office);
You have a change of name, address, or sex;
The card contains an error; or
You are reinstating your license.

Do you need to switch to a Real ID?

Replace online you need to:

Go online;
Answer security questions; and
Pay the $26 replacement fee, or $56 for a Real ID.

After you meet all the requirements:

You will get an online receipt to use as proof of valid driving privileges. Note: Many government agencies and businesses, such as the Transportation Security Administration and Social Security Administration, do not accept the online receipt as proof of identification. Check with the agency or business before you go to find out what documents they will accept.
Your license will be mailed to the address you provide to DMV. If you move, it will not go to a forwarding address.

Replace in a DMV office you need to:

Make an appointment or visit a DMV office for standby service;
Have proof of identity (if you want a Real ID you must bring additional documents) and full legal name, if you are changing your name; and
Pay the $26 replacement fee, or $56 for a Real ID.

After you meet all the requirements:

You will get an interim card to use as proof of valid driving privileges. Note: Many government agencies and businesses, such as the Transportation Security Administration and Social Security Administration, do not accept the interim card as proof of identification. Check with the agency or business before you go to find out what documents they will accept.
Your license will be mailed to the address you provide to DMV. If you move, it will not go to a forwarding address.

You can change your address:

Online
There is no fee

Testing Information

We test your vision to confirm you can drive safely. If you take the test while wearing glasses or contacts, you will be required to wear them when you drive.

If you don’t pass the vision test, we’ll give you a Certificate of Vision form to take to your eye doctor.

You are required to take the knowledge test if:

This is your first time applying for a driver license or permit; or
Your permit is issued by another state (if valid, you do not need to get an Oregon permit); or
Your previous Oregon driver license has been expired for over 2 years; or
Your license from another state, the District of Columbia, U.S. territory, the U.S. Department of State, Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan has been expired for over 1 year; or
Your license is from a country other than Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan.

The fee is $5 each time you take the knowledge test. Everything you need to pass the test is in the Oregon Driver Manual.

Details:

Make an appointment or visit a DMV office for standby service.
We stop giving the test 1 hour before closing.
Testing is on a touch-screen computer, with audio capabilities.
There are 35 multiple-choice questions.
The test is available in:

English
Spanish
Arabic
Chinese
Japanese
Korean
Russian
Vietnamese

Rules:

No books.
No notes.
No phones.
No talking.
No electronic devices.
No cheating.
No one else in the test area, unless you need a translator.

If you are caught cheating, your test will be stopped. You will not be allowed to test again for 90 days.

If you fail the knowledge test, you may test again the same day, depending on the DMV office testing resource availability.

You may not have to take a knowledge test if:

You are new to Oregon and give us your out-of-state license. It cannot be expired more than 1 year.

You must pass the knowledge test before taking a drive test. Drive tests are by appointment only.

There are two ways to get a drive test:

Schedule a test with DMV online; or
Schedule a drive test with a Class C testing business.

The Drive Test fee at DMV is $9. Bring a passenger vehicle with current registration and valid proof of insurance.

Renting a vehicle for your drive test?

If you are named on the rental agreement, vehicle insurance may be through the rental agency; or, you may obtain your own policy covering the testing vehicle.
If you are not named on the rental agreement, you must provide a letter from the rental agency stating the rental agency is extending vehicle insurance coverage to you.

Tips for taking the drive test at DMV.

Details:

In this behind-the-wheel test, you will show your knowledge of:
- Driving skills;
- Traffic rules;
- Highway signs; and
- Signals.
The test includes:
- Turning;
- Backing up;
- Parking;
- Lane changes;
- Speed control;
- Signaling;
- Vehicle control; and
- General driving ability.

Rules:

Only you and the examiner in the vehicle.
No weapons.
No smoking.
Turn off all electronic devices.
Remove objects from dashboard and rearview mirror.

The examiner will sit in the front seat and give you directions. They will discuss the results with you after the test.

If you fail the Drive Test, you must wait to take another test until the next available scheduled appointment.

You may not have to take a drive test if:

You are new to Oregon and surrender your license from another state, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territory, the U.S. Department of State, Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan. Your driver license cannot be expired more than 1 year.
You completed an ODOT-Approved Driver Education Course within the past two years and show the course completion card.

You need to bring a passenger vehicle with valid registration for the drive test. The examiner will check it for the required equipment. You will have to reschedule if your vehicle does not pass the equipment check.

Equipment that must work:

The vehicle starts under its own power;
Turn signals (front and back);
Brake lights;
Horn;
Passenger door opens and closes with handle from inside and outside;
Proper, secure and reasonably clean passenger seat;
Seatbelts;
Tires are not bald or damaged;
Muffler has no excessive leaks or unreasonable noise;
Display valid registration; and
Side view or rearview mirrors.

Nothing may obstruct the driver's or examiner's view to the front, side or rear of the vehicle.

You must show proof of insurance before a drive test. You can use:

A valid insurance card;
A current vehicle liability insurance policy or binder; or
A DMV Certificate of Self-Insurance showing you as the owner of the vehicle.

If weather conditions require, your vehicle must have studded tires or traction devices, windshield wipers, headlights, taillights, window defroster, windows that roll down and/or air conditioning that is in working order.