I'm a new resident in Oregon: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Oregon. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Oregon

Each rule comes from the Oregon driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  30 days after becoming an Oregon resident, to get an Oregon driver license if you want to drive.

  What the manual says

  • The 30-day rule

    As a new Oregon resident, within 30 days you must get an Oregon driver license if you want to drive, and title and register your vehicle. You must title your vehicle in Oregon if you want to register it.

  Source: [1]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  US, Canadian, German, Japanese, South Korean, Taiwanese licenses usually transfer test-free; knowledge test if expired about a year or more.

  What the manual says

  • Transfer without testing

    Most people can transfer their license without testing if it was issued by any U.S. state, territory or the District of Columbia, or by Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan. The license must not have been expired for long. The manual and the DMV’s pages word that limit slightly differently (about a year), so check with DMV.

  • When you must take the knowledge test

    A new resident still takes the knowledge test if:

    • your out-of-state license has been expired for about a year or longer;
    • your license is from a country other than Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan;
    • your permit is issued by another state (if it is valid, you do not need to get an Oregon permit).

  Source: [2] [3] [1]

• Liability insurance

  Insurance required; minimums per collision: $25,000 one person, $50,000 two or more injured, $20,000 property damage.

  What the manual says

  • The required minimum is $25,000 per collision for one person.
  • The required minimum is $50,000 per collision for two or more persons.
  • The required minimum is $20,000 per collision for damage to the property of others.

  Source: Oregon Driver Manual (2026-2027), page 93

• Change of address

  Notify DMV within 30 days of changing your address.

  What the manual says

  • Changing your address

    You are required to notify DMV within 30 days of changing your address. You can make a personal address change online. You will not have to get a replacement card when your address changes. Your voter registration information will be updated unless you state that you do not want it changed.

  Source: [4]

• How long the license lasts

  Valid for up to eight years.

  What the manual says

  • How long a license lasts

    A driver license or ID card is valid for up to eight years. A limited term license expires with your authorized stay (see “REAL ID”). Switching to a REAL ID does not change the expiration date. Next time you renew, you can choose the REAL ID option.

  Source: [3] [5] [6]

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Provisional (until 18 or 1 year): midnight-5 AM banned except work, school events lacking transport, or with licensed driver 25+.

  What the manual says

  • Provisional license: the first 6 months

    During the first 6 months of a provisional driver license:

    • you cannot drive with a passenger under age 20 who is not a member of your immediate family;
    • you cannot drive between midnight and 5:00 AM unless an exception below applies.

  • Exceptions to the midnight to 5:00 AM rule

    You may drive between midnight and 5:00 AM if you are:

    • driving between home and work;
    • driving between home and a school event for which there is no other transportation available;
    • driving for employment purposes;
    • accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old.

  • When the limits end

    The passenger and night driving restrictions apply only until you are 18 or until you have had your provisional license for 1 year, whichever comes first.

  Source: [7]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Provisional: first 6 months no under-20 non-family passengers; next 6 months max 3; exempt with instructor or parent.

  What the manual says

  • Provisional license: the first 6 months

    During the first 6 months of a provisional driver license:

    • you cannot drive with a passenger under age 20 who is not a member of your immediate family;
    • you cannot drive between midnight and 5:00 AM unless an exception below applies.

  • Provisional license: the second 6 months

    During the second 6 months:

    • you cannot drive with more than three passengers who are under age 20 and not members of your immediate family;
    • you cannot drive between midnight and 5:00 AM unless an exception below applies.

  • When the passenger limits do not apply

    The passenger restrictions do not apply while you are driving with an instructor as part of a certified traffic safety education course, or with a parent, stepparent or legal guardian who has valid driving privileges.

  Source: [7]

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Zero tolerance: under 21, any amount of blood alcohol fails the test.

  What the manual says

  • Oregon has a zero tolerance law: under 21, any amount of blood alcohol fails the test.

  Source: Oregon Driver Manual (2026-2027), page 83

• Refusing a chemical test

  Driving means you agree to breath, blood or urine tests; refusal may bring a fine and/or license suspension.

  What the manual says

  • By driving a motor vehicle you have agreed to take a breath, blood, or urine test when asked by a police officer.
  • If you refuse a test, you may receive a fine, and/or your driving privileges could be suspended.

  Source: Oregon Driver Manual (2026-2027), page 83

• Seat belts

  Mandatory for all drivers and passengers in all available seating positions.

  What the manual says

  • Safety belt use is mandatory for all drivers and passengers in all available seating positions.

  Source: Oregon Driver Manual (2026-2027), page 73

• Child safety seats

  Approved child seat until age 8 or 4 ft 9 in with proper belt fit; infants rear-facing until age 2.

  What the manual says

  • Children must stay in approved child safety seats until they are 8 years old or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and the adult belt fits correctly.
  • The manual says infants must ride rear-facing until they reach two years of age.

  Source: Oregon Driver Manual (2026-2027), page 74

• Phone use while driving

  Under 18: no cell phone or mobile device. Age 18 or older: hands-free accessory required.

  What the manual says

  • It is illegal for drivers under 18 to use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle.
  • Drivers 18 or older must use a hands-free accessory to use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device.

  Source: Oregon Driver Manual (2026-2027), page 80

• School buses

  Stop until red lights turn off; unpaved median or barrier: only same-side traffic stops; painted median: all lanes.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says to stop before reaching the bus and stay stopped until the driver turns off the flashing red lights.
  • On a divided highway with an unpaved median or barrier, you must stop only if you are on the same side of the road as the bus.
  • A painted median strip or turn lane does not create two separate roads, so all lanes of traffic must stop.

  Source: Oregon Driver Manual (2026-2027), page 55

• Move Over law

  On multi-lane roads, change lanes away from vehicle stopped with flashing lights; may slow at least 5 mph under limit.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says you must change lanes so you do not drive next to the stopped vehicle.
  • The manual says you may also slow down by at least 5 miles per hour under the posted speed limit.
  • The manual says to slow down and be prepared to stop at emergency scenes.

  Source: Oregon Driver Manual (2026-2027), page 57

• Headlights

  From sunset to sunrise, whenever people or vehicles are hard to see 1,000 feet ahead, and when wipers are on.

  What the manual says

  • Headlights must be turned on from sunset to sunrise.
  • Lights must be on at any time conditions make it difficult to see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead.
  • The manual says to turn on your headlights when your windshield wipers are on.

  Source: Oregon Driver Manual (2026-2027), page 76, 77

• Right turn on red

  After full stop: right onto two-way roads; right or left onto one-way roads in their direction; not where signs prohibit.

  What the manual says

  • After a complete stop you may turn right on red when entering a two-way road.
  • When entering a one-way road you may turn right or left in the direction of the one-way road.
  • You may not turn during the red light and must wait for the signal to turn green.

  Source: Oregon Driver Manual (2026-2027), page 15, 9

• Speed limits

  Unless posted: residential districts 25 mph; school speed zones 20 mph; roads not otherwise defined 55 mph.

  What the manual says

  • Residential districts are listed with the 25 miles per hour limit.
  • Within a school speed zone the limit set in law is 20 miles per hour.
  • The manual lists 55 miles per hour for all roads and highways not meeting any other definition unless otherwise posted.

  Source: Oregon Driver Manual (2026-2027), page 19

• Left lane and keeping right

  Driving slower than traffic: use the right lane or stay near the right edge, unless preparing to turn left.

  What the manual says

  • Slower drivers must use the right lane or drive as closely as possible to the right curb or edge, unless preparing for a left turn.
  • If you drive below the flow of traffic, you must use the right lane.

  Source: Oregon Driver Manual (2026-2027), page 21, 34

Official steps for moving to Oregon

• The 30-day rule

  As a new Oregon resident, within 30 days you must get an Oregon driver license if you want to drive, and title and register your vehicle. You must title your vehicle in Oregon if you want to register it.

  Source: [1]

• Transfer without testing

  Most people can transfer their license without testing if it was issued by any U.S. state, territory or the District of Columbia, or by Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan. The license must not have been expired for long. The manual and the DMV’s pages word that limit slightly differently (about a year), so check with DMV.

  Source: [2] [3] [1]

• When you must take the knowledge test

  A new resident still takes the knowledge test if:

  • your out-of-state license has been expired for about a year or longer;
  • your license is from a country other than Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan;
  • your permit is issued by another state (if it is valid, you do not need to get an Oregon permit).

  Source: [3]

• Turn in your old license

  You must turn in any driver license, permit or ID card from Oregon, another state or another country if you have one.

  Source: [3]

• Visitors

  As a visitor, you can legally drive in Oregon if you have a valid driver license from any U.S. state, territory or the District of Columbia, or from another country. Visitors include people in the military who are stationed in Oregon.

  Source: [1]

Sources

1. New to Oregon (Welcome to Oregon) (oregon.gov) — Oregon DMV
2. Oregon Driver Manual, English, 2026-2027 (oregon.gov) — Oregon DMV (ODOT Driver and Motor Vehicle Services)
3. Get a Driver License - Over 18 (also renew, replace, testing information) (oregon.gov) — Oregon DMV
4. Changing Your Address (oregon.gov) — Oregon DMV
5. Oregon REAL ID FAQs (oregon.gov) — Oregon DMV
6. REAL ID Information (oregon.gov) — Oregon DMV
7. Get a Driver License - Under 18 (Provisional Driver License) (oregon.gov) — Oregon DMV Teen site