A hardship permit is available for some driver license suspensions or for a driver revoked as a habitual offender.
A hardship permit allows you to drive a non-commercial motor vehicle
only.
A hardship permit allows you to drive:
- To and from work;
- On the job;
- To seek employment; or
- To take part in a gambling addiction, alcohol or drug rehabilitation program.
- For necessary services:
- Grocery shopping;
- Driving yourself or your children to school;
- Driving to medical appointments; and
- Caring for elderly family members
You cannot get a hardship permit if your license is revoked for a traffic crime.
To make sure you are eligible, contact DMV at 503-945-5000.
To apply for a hardship permit:
Visit
DMV2U to complete an online hardship application; or
- Download and fill out the
application;
- Get all required documentation;
- Pay the fees; and
- Mail your application, required documents and payment (check or money order) to:
DMV - Driver Suspension Unit
1905 Lana Avenue NE
Salem, OR 97314
DMV fees will increase on January 1, 2024. Hardship permit applications processed after this date will be subject to the new fees. If you are not applying for a hardship permit online, applications mailed after December 15th, 2023, may not be processed prior to the fee increase.
Hardship application fee increases from $50 to $75
Reinstatement fee increases from $75 to $85
- You can’t get a hardship permit at a DMV office.
- You may be required to serve a mandatory suspension length before we issue the permit.
- We won’t issue the permit until the suspension is in effect.