Getting an Oregon Driver's License

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

An Oregon Class C driver's license is the standard adult license for cars, light trucks, and vans up to 26,000 pounds. The Oregon DMV (operated by ODOT) issues the credential after an applicant passes a knowledge test, a vision screening, and a behind-the-wheel drive test. The full credential runs on an 8-year renewal cycle, one of the longest in the country.

Eligibility

The minimum age for a full Oregon Class C license is 18. Drivers between 16 and 18 can apply for a provisional license that comes with passenger and nighttime restrictions for the first year. Adults 18 and older skip the provisional period but still need to hold an instruction permit for at least 6 months and complete supervised practice before the drive test.

Documents you'll bring to the office

For a federally compliant Oregon REAL ID driver's license — the version with a small star icon in the upper right — bring:

One identity document: a U.S. birth certificate (with raised seal) or unexpired U.S. passport.
Proof of your Social Security number: Social Security card, W-2, or SSA-1099.
Two proofs of Oregon residency dated within the last 6 months: utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or property tax bill.
A completed form 735-31, the Application for Driver License or Identification Card.

If you've changed your name since the documents were issued, bring a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change. New residents of Oregon must surrender any out-of-state license at the same visit.

Fees

The Oregon original Class C driver's license fee is $60 for an 8-year credential, plus separate fees for the knowledge test ($5) and the drive test ($9-$45 depending on the office and whether you bring your own vehicle). REAL ID upgrades are an additional $30. These figures should be verified on the ODOT DMV website before your visit, since the legislature adjusts fees periodically.

Knowledge test

The Oregon knowledge test consists of 35 multiple-choice questions drawn from the current Oregon Driver Manual. You must answer at least 28 correctly (80%) to pass. Topics emphasized in Oregon include speed limits on rural highways, school-zone rules, the move-over law for emergency vehicles, the four-way stop right-of-way, and the BAC tables that tie into DUII enforcement.

The knowledge test is offered in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and several other languages at most field offices. Failed attempts can be retaken the same day at smaller offices, or the next business day at busy metro locations.

Behind-the-wheel drive test

Oregon's drive test runs about 20 minutes and is graded on a 100-point scale; you can lose up to 20 points before failing. The examiner watches for:

Pre-drive equipment check — turn signals, brake lights, defroster, windshield wipers, horn.
Lane changes with proper mirror use, signal, and head check.
Backing in a straight line for 50 feet without crossing the lane line.
Right and left turns from the correct lane to the correct lane.
Stops at controlled intersections and stop signs (no rolling stops).
Speed control through a school zone if the route includes one.

Many Oregon offices use third-party testing companies for the drive test, especially in rural areas. ODOT lists approved third-party testers on its website; the certificate from a third-party tester counts the same as a state-administered exam.

License delivery

You'll leave the Oregon DMV office with a paper temporary license valid for 30 days. The permanent card is mailed within 20 days from a central printing facility in Salem. If your card hasn't arrived after 30 days, the temporary can be extended online or by phone while ODOT investigates. Out-of-state license surrenders are scanned and forwarded to the issuing state; you cannot legally drive on the surrendered card after the Oregon credential is issued.

Once licensed, plan ahead for routine maintenance: address changes within 30 days of a move, regular renewal on the 8-year cycle, and pulling a copy of your driver record before any insurance shopping.