Oregon’s Driver Education Journey
Getting started with teen driver education can feel overwhelming. There are a lot of steps, rules, and timelines to keep track of. This webpage is here to make things simpler. You’ll find clear, straightforward information about what’s required for each age group and what to expect along the way. Our goal is to help you feel confident and prepared as you begin the teen driver education journey.
Click on the links below to understand the requirements and driving restrictions for each step in Oregon's licensing process.
If you are ready to start learning to drive, here are the steps you’ll need to follow to get your instruction permit (commonly called a “learner’s permit).
- To apply, you must be at least 15 years old and an Oregon resident
- You will need to provide proof that you are enrolled in school, unless you are exempt or have completed school requirements
- You will need to take the DMV knowledge test (see the learning resources page on this website for study tips)
- You can take the knowledge test at the DMV, online, or sometimes at your high school
- There are 35 questions on the knowledge test, and you must answer 28 correctly to pass (if you don’t pass, see information below*)
- When you pass you must go with a parent or guardian to the DMV (unless you are emancipated or married).
- You will need to bring these documents:
- Social Security number (or a written statement from a parent or guardian if you don’t have one)
- Proof of identity, date of birth, and Oregon residency (see list of documents accepted here)
- Pass a vision test at the DMV
- Parent or Guardian must provide a signature
- Pay the application fee
*When you submit your application for your permit, you have ninety days or three attempts to successfully complete the written test. You may be charged a reexamination fee each time. If you fail the test three times or wait longer than ninety days to retake it, the application will be closed, and you will have to apply again.
What to Expect When You Have a Learner’s Permit
You will have a few important rules to follow while you’re learning to drive with a permit:
- You may only operate a vehicle if you have a supervising adult driver in the front passenger seat. The supervising driver must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license.
- If you are planning to get a provisional license at age 16-17, the supervising driver must have had their license for at least 3 years for the driving practice to count toward the required 50 or 100 hours you will need to get a provisional license.
- You cannot operate a motor vehicle while using mobile devices of any kind, including hands-free accessories.
If you are ready for the next step toward independent driving, here’s what you’ll need to do to get your provisional driver's license.
- You must be at least 16 years old and an Oregon resident
- You must have had a valid learner’s permit for at least 6 months
- You must either:
- Complete an Oregon Department of Transportation‑approved driver education course for teens (ages 15–17) and log an additional 50 hours of supervised driving with a qualified licensed adult*
OR - Log 100 hours of supervised driving with a qualified licensed adult*
- Pay the application fee
* The qualified licensed adult must be at least 21 years old and have had their license for at least 3 years for the driving practice to count toward the required 50 or 100 hours.
* Print and use the Practice Driving Log to keep track of your behind-the-wheel practice and progress toward becoming a safe driver. Have your supervising adult driver write down every time you practice driving.
*If you complete an approved driver education course, you won’t have to take the DMV driving test to get your provisional license. The driving school will vouch for you. If you do not take an approved driver education course, and instead log 100 hours of supervised driving time, you will need to pass the DMV drive test.
What to Expect When You Have a Provisional Driver’s License
You will have a few important rules to follow while you are driving with a provisional license.
- You cannot operate a motor vehicle while using mobile devices of any kind, including hands-free accessories.
- During the First 6 Months:
• You cannot drive with any passengers under 20 who are not immediate family.*
• You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are with a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old, and you are driving for work or traveling between home and a school event with no other transportation. - During the Second 6 Months:
• You can have up to three passengers under 20 who are not immediate family.
• You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are with a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old, and you are driving for work or traveling between home and a school event with no other transportation.*
* Passenger restrictions do not apply when you are driving with an instructor during a certified driver ed course or when a parent, stepparent, or legal guardian (with valid driving privileges) is in the car.
* These passenger and nighttime restrictions stay in place until you are 18 or have your provisional license for one full year, whichever comes first.
When you are 18 years old, you are eligible to apply for a full Oregon driver’s license. Here are the steps to get your license.
- You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Oregon
- Ideally, you will have had a provisional license for at least one year
- If you have not had a provisional license, you will need to pass the DMV written test, the vision test, and the driving test. You will need to provide these documents:
- Social Security number (or a written statement from a parent or guardian if you don’t have one)
- Proof of identity, date of birth, and Oregon residency (see list of documents accepted here)
- Pay the required fee