How licensing works in Oregon
Oregon uses a graduated system for drivers under 18. You begin with an instruction permit, move to a provisional license, and then get full privileges.
| Stage | Minimum age | Main rules |
|---|---|---|
| Instruction permit | 15 | Drive with a licensed adult. Hold at least six months. 50 supervised hours with driver education, or 100 without |
| Provisional license, months 1–6 | 16 | No driving midnight–5 a.m. (with exceptions). No passengers under 20 |
| Provisional license, months 7–12 | 16½ | Up to three passengers under 20. Night limit continues |
| Full privileges | After 12 months, or at 18 (minimum 17) | Limits end |
Under 18, you must have held a permit for at least six months before you apply for a license. If you fail the drive test, you must wait until the next business day to retest.
The Oregon knowledge test
The Class C knowledge test has 35 multiple-choice questions. You must answer 28 correctly, which is 80%.
At a DMV office
- Test on a touch screen in several languages, with or without audio. You may bring your own earbuds.
- Walk in or make an appointment.
- If you fail, you may retest the same day, depending on availability.
- The vision screening is free. If you do not pass, DMV gives you a form to take to a licensed vision specialist.
Online at DMV2U
- Use a desktop or laptop with a webcam. Phones and tablets are not allowed.
- You may test twice in 24 hours and four times in total. After that, you must test at an office.
- If you are under 18, an adult proctor over 21 must supervise.
Cheating means you fail and must wait 90 days before you can test again.
Rules specific to Oregon
Speed limits
| Where | Limit unless posted |
|---|---|
| Alleys and narrow residential roadways | 15 mph |
| Business districts and school speed zones | 20 mph |
| Residential districts, public parks, ocean shores | 25 mph |
| All other roads and highways | 55 mph |
Oregon's basic speed rule says you must drive at a speed that is reasonable and cautious for conditions. In fog or rain that may be well below the limit. The rule never lets you go faster than the posted limit.
Pedestrians and bicycles
There is a crosswalk at every intersection, even with no painted lines. Stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk who is in your lane, the lane next to yours or the lane you are turning into. Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. Do not drive or park in a bike lane, and yield to riders in it before you turn across.
Stop for pedestrians in or near your path at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
- Pedestrian in the crosswalk
- Your car stopped before the crosswalk
- Car in the next lane, also stopped
School buses
Flashing amber lights mean get ready to stop. Flashing red lights mean stop before you reach the bus and stay stopped until the red lights go off. Only on a divided highway with an unpaved median or barrier may traffic on the other side keep going. A painted median or center turn lane does not count.
Move over
On multi-lane roads, change lanes away from a stopped vehicle with flashing lights if it is safe. If you cannot, slow to at least 5 mph below the posted limit.
Phones, belts and lights
- Hand-held phone use is banned for all drivers. Drivers under 18 may not use any phone, even hands-free.
- Everyone in every seat must wear a seat belt. Children use a child seat until age 8 or 4 feet 9 inches, and infants ride rear-facing until age 2.
- Use headlights from sunset to sunrise and when you cannot see 1,000 feet ahead. Dim them within 500 feet of oncoming traffic and 350 feet when following.
- Traffic fines are doubled in work zones.
Test tips
- Memorize the speed table: 15, 20, 25 and 55 mph.
- Know the crosswalk and bike lane rules well. They are very Oregon-specific.
- Study road signs by shape and color.
- If testing online, check your webcam and use a quiet room.
Next: the general rules of the road
This guide covers Oregon's own rules. The knowledge test also covers right-of-way, turns, passing, parking and road signs. Study those in our national US driving study guide, then take the full practice tests.