Get an Instruction Permit - Under 18

Drivers 15, 16, and 17 years old get a permit called a Provisional Instruction Permit.

To Get a Provisional Instruction Permit

Study the Oregon Driver Manual;
Fill out the application (with parent’s signature);
Take it to a DMV office;
Show proof of your physical address and legal presence/identity;
Pass a vision test;
Optional - take the practice knowledge test;
Pass the knowledge test;
Pay $23.50 fee; and
Get your picture taken.

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.
Your instruction permit will be mailed to the address on the application. 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.

Learn to Drive

Visit our Learn to Drive page for information about Driver Education courses.

Over 18?

Drivers over 18 have different steps to get an Instruction Permit. Visit our Get an Instruction Permit - Over 18 page for details.

Important Details

Driving Restrictions

A provisional instruction permit allows you to operate a vehicle only if you are accompanied by a person who:

Has a valid driver license;
Is at least 21 years of age; and
Is sitting beside you.

The supervising driver must have had their license for at least three years for the driving practice to count toward the 50 or 100 hour requirement to get a provisional driver license.

You cannot operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile communication device, including talking on a cell phone and texting. Hands-free accessories are not allowed.

Replace

DMV will issue a replacement instruction permit if:

It is lost, stolen or damaged;
You have a change of name, address, or sex; or
The card contains an error.

You need to:

Fill out the application;
Take it to a DMV office;
Show proof of physical address and identity; and
Pay the $26.50 replacement fee.

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.
The Post Office will not forward a driver license. Use your current mailing address on the application.

Expiration/Renewal

A provisional instruction permit is valid for two years from the date it is issued.

We do not send you a notice when your permit is about to expire.

If your instruction permit is expired or about to expire, you may apply for another permit. The new permit is valid for twenty-four months from the date it is issued.

To apply for another instruction permit, you must surrender your instruction permit and follow the instructions in the section above. You are not required to take the knowledge or vision test unless your permit is expired for one year or more.

Replace Address Sticker

To replace your sticker:

You must live at the same address;
Fill out boxes 1, 2, and 3b on the online form; and
There is no fee.

The Vision Test

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 form to take to your eye doctor.

The Class C Knowledge Test

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

Details:

No appointment needed.
We stop giving the test 1 hour before closing.
Testing is on a touch screen computer.
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 must wait to take another test. The wait time after:

1st, 2nd or 3rd failure is one day.
4th or subsequent failure is 28 days.