Taking Drivers Ed in Oregon
Getting your drivers license is a huge milestone — it’s the ultimate symbol of freedom for a teenager, and it’s definitely an exciting time in your life. Oregon follows a Graduated Drivers Licensing system for minors to get their driver’s license. Below you’ll find an outline of each step of the process, from taking Oregon drivers ed to earning your unrestricted drivers license.
Oregon Drivers Education Requirements
Your Oregon drivers ed course, also known as your traffic safety education course, is required for all new drivers between 16 to 18 years of age to earn their learners permit. This type of course equips you with essential driving knowledge that will allow you become a safe and skilled driver.
While mastering the theories of driving can come in handy, the Oregon DMV understands that the best way to hone your driving abilities is through practice. Another major component to your drivers licensing process is behind-the-wheel driving practice.
In Oregon, you have 2 options when it comes to driver training:
- Log 50 hours of supervised driving practice with a licensed driver over the age of 21 who has been licensed for at least 3 years, and take an approved traffic safety education course
- Log 100 hours of supervised driving practice
Choosing I Drive Safely for Online Drivers Ed
While getting behind-the-wheel time is important, a driver education course is the best way to learn the rules of the road, as well as other helpful information, like what to do in emergency situations, and how to take care of your car.
By offering a 100% online course format, you have the ability to fit your lessons into even the busiest schedule. With Oregon drivers ed online, you don’t even have to leave the house! You’ll learn what it takes to be a safe driver through graphics, cool animations, and video. What you learn from drivers ed is essential, and we make it easy for you to retain it so you can have a safe driving career.
At the end of your Oregon drivers ed course, you’ll take a final exam that will ensure that you’ve absorbed all the facts. This exam is made up of 50 multiple-choice questions, and you will need to score 80% to pass. But don’t worry! You can take the final again and again until you pass. Once you do, we’ll send your certificate of completion out to you through your preferred shipping method. It’s that easy! I Drive Safely is simply the most convenient way to take your Oregon drivers education.
Getting Your Oregon Drivers Permit
To earn your Oregon drivers permit, you must visit a DMV office and do the following:
- Be between 15-17 years old
- Be a resident of, or domiciled in, Oregon
- Provide proof of enrollment in, completion of, or exemption from school
- Turn in a completed driver license application that is signed by either your parent or guardian, unless you’re a minor that’s married or emancipated
- Provide proof of: your full legal name, your legal presence in the U.S., your identity, your date of birth, and your residence address
- Provide your Social Security number on your application
You will then need to pass a written Oregon permit test, or knowledge test, and a vision-screening test. If you have a valid Oregon ID card, or a drivers license or permit from another state, you will be required to turn it over to the DMV. Finally, you will pay the fees for testing and your instruction permit, and then have your picture taken. Once the DMV issues your instruction permit, it is valid for 2 years (24 months) from the date that it was issued.
How to Get Your Oregon Drivers License
Once you celebrate your 16th birthday and you’ve held your Oregon instruction permit for a minimum of 6 months, you can make your appointment to take your drivers license test. The requirements to get your Oregon drivers license include the following:
- Must have completed one of the two options:
- 50 hours of supervised driving and an approved traffic safety education course
- 100 hours of supervised driving practice
- Provide proof of school enrollment, completion, or exemption
- Turn in a completed driver license application, which must be signed by your parent/guardian, unless you’re a minor who's married or emancipated
- Present proof of the following: full legal name, your legal U.S. presence, identity, date of birth, and your residence address
- Provide your Social Security number on your application
- Pass a safe driving practices knowledge test. You may take this test 30 days prior to your 16th birthday
- Pass a drive test and vision screening test
As with your permit, you will need to surrender any valid Oregon ID card or driver license/permit from another jurisdiction. Once you pay the testing and licensing fees and have your photo taken, you’ll be issued an interim card to use until your official Oregon drivers license arrives in the mail. Keep in mind that your new provisional drivers license comes with a few restrictions that are in place until your 18th birthday:
- During the first 6 months you cannot drive with any passenger under the age of 20 who is not an immediate family member.
- During the first 6 months, you cannot drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work, school, or accompanied by a licensed driver over the age of 25.
- During the second 6 months, you cannot drive with more than 3 passengers under the age of 20 unless they are immediate family members.
- During the second 6 months, you cannot drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work, school, or accompanied by a licensed driver over the age of 25.
