Oregon DMV Permit Test 2026

Who Can Get a Learner's Permit

To apply for a Provisional Instruction Permit in Oregon, you must be at least 15 years old. There is no upper age limit — adults who have never held a license can apply through a similar process, though the permit type and requirements differ slightly.

If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign your application to give consent. The parent or guardian must accompany you to the DMV office to sign the application in person, or their signature must be notarized.

Residency: You must be an Oregon resident. You'll prove residency at the DMV with documents such as a utility bill, bank statement, or rental agreement showing your Oregon address. If you're moving to Oregon from another state, you have 30 days to get an Oregon license after establishing residency.

Driver education: Oregon does not require driver education to get a permit, but completing an ODOT-approved driver education course has significant benefits — it reduces the required supervised driving hours from 100 to 50 and can waive the behind-the-wheel driving test entirely if completed within the past 2 years.

How to Apply

You'll need to visit a DMV office in person to apply for your permit. Oregon requires an appointment for most DMV services — you can schedule one online at dmv2u.oregon.gov.

At the DMV, you'll complete the application form, provide your identity and residency documents, pay the application fee, take the vision screening, have your photo taken, and take the written knowledge test. If you're under 18, your parent or guardian must sign the application.

Online knowledge test option: Oregon also allows you to take the knowledge test online before visiting the DMV. If you pass online, you'll still need to visit the DMV to complete the rest of the application process (documents, photo, vision test). More on the online test option below.

Fees and What You Pay For

The permit application fee is $34.50. This covers the cost of issuing your provisional instruction permit. You'll pay this at the DMV when you apply.

The knowledge test has a separate fee of $7 per attempt. This means your first visit will cost $41.50 total ($34.50 for the permit + $7 for the test). If you need to retake the test, each additional attempt costs another $7.

The DMV accepts cash, check, money order, and debit/credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express).

Application validity: Once you submit your application, you have 90 days to pass the knowledge test. If 90 days pass without passing, your application expires and you'll need to start over with a new application and fee.

Documents You Need at the DMV

Oregon requires several documents to verify your identity and residency. Bring the following to your DMV appointment:

Real ID: If you want a Real ID compliant permit (recommended for domestic air travel), you may need additional documentation. Check the Oregon DMV website for the most current Real ID requirements.

Teens: If you're under 18, your parent or guardian must be present to sign the application, or you must bring a notarized copy of their signature. If you've completed driver education, bring your certificate of completion.

Do You Need an Appointment?

Yes. Oregon DMV requires appointments for most services, including permit applications. You can schedule an appointment online at dmv2u.oregon.gov.

Some DMV offices may accept walk-ins on a limited basis, but availability varies and wait times can be very long. Scheduling an appointment in advance is strongly recommended. Appointments are free and typically available within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the office location.

What Happens at the DMV

Here's what a typical DMV visit looks like, in order:

The whole process typically takes about 1 to 2 hours, depending on how busy the office is. The test itself takes most people 15 to 30 minutes.

The Eye (Vision) Test

The vision screening happens at the service window. You'll look into a vision testing device and read a line of letters or numbers. The test checks whether you can see well enough to drive safely.

Oregon requires a minimum visual acuity of 20/40 in at least one eye (with or without corrective lenses). If you wear glasses or contacts, keep them on during the test. If you pass with corrective lenses, your permit will note that you must wear them while driving.

If you cannot meet the 20/40 standard, the DMV will provide a form for your eye doctor to complete. You can return with the completed form to continue your application. The screening takes less than a minute.

When They Take Your Photo

Your photo is taken during the document processing step, typically at the service window. This happens before you take the written test — so come prepared to have your picture taken when you arrive. The photo will appear on your permit card. You'll be asked to remove glasses, hats, and head coverings (unless worn for religious reasons) for the photo.

The Written Knowledge Test

The Oregon knowledge test covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. All questions are based on the Oregon Driver Manual. It is a multiple-choice test with 35 questions. Roughly one-third of the questions cover road sign identification — there is no separate road signs test.

The test is available in 8 languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese. All languages are available both in text and audio format at DMV offices and online.

There is no time limit on the test, so you can take as long as you need to work through each question carefully.

What the Test Looks Like

At the DMV, you'll take the test on a computer terminal. Each screen shows one question with multiple answer choices. You select your answer and move to the next question.

The test interface is straightforward and easy to navigate. The text is large and readable. If you selected a language other than English, the questions will appear in your chosen language.

Take your time with each question. Read the question and all answer choices carefully before selecting your answer, especially for questions about road signs, right-of-way rules, and Oregon-specific traffic laws.

Taking the Test Online

Oregon offers an online knowledge test option. You can take the 35-question test from home using a desktop or laptop computer with a webcam. Touchscreen devices (tablets, phones) are not supported.

If you're under 18: You need a proctor — someone at least 21 years old who can verify your identity and supervise the test. The proctor must be present with you during the entire test.

Attempt limits: You can take the online test up to 4 times. After 4 online attempts, you must take the test at a DMV office instead.

If you pass the online test, you'll still need to visit a DMV office to complete the rest of the permit process — documents, vision screening, photo, and fee payment. Your online test results will be on file when you arrive.

Passing Score and Results

The test has 35 questions for all applicants, regardless of age. You must answer at least 28 correctly to pass — that's an 80% passing threshold. You're allowed up to 7 wrong answers.

When the test ends, the screen will clearly show whether you passed or failed, along with your score. If you passed, you'll return to the service counter where the clerk will issue your permit.

After You Pass

When you pass the test, the DMV will issue you a temporary permit document. This is your official learner's permit and is valid immediately — you can start practicing driving that same day, provided you follow the permit rules.

Your permanent permit card will be mailed to you within a few weeks. Until it arrives, carry the temporary document whenever you drive.

Can you start driving immediately? Yes — but only with a supervising driver. You must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has held their license for at least 3 years. The supervising driver must sit beside you (in the front passenger seat).

Your permit is valid for 2 years from the date of issue. Within that time, you'll need to complete your supervised driving hours and pass the behind-the-wheel driving test to get your provisional license.

If You Don't Pass

If you fail the written test at the DMV, you may be able to retake it the same day if the DMV office has availability — Oregon allows up to 2 tests in a 24-hour period. There is no mandatory multi-day waiting period between attempts.

Each retest costs $7. The permit application fee ($34.50) does not need to be paid again — only the $7 test fee for each additional attempt.

Application expiration: You have 90 days from the date you submitted your application to pass the knowledge test. If you don't pass within 90 days, your application expires and you'll need to submit a new one with a new application fee.

The test draws from a large question bank, so you'll get different questions on each attempt. Studying the Oregon Driver Manual thoroughly and taking practice tests will help you pass on your next try.

Learner's Permit Rules

Your learner's permit is valid for 2 years from the date of issue. Within those 2 years, you need to complete your supervised driving practice and pass the behind-the-wheel driving test. If your permit expires before you get your license, you'll have to start over.

You must hold the permit for a minimum of 6 months before you're eligible to take the driving test and get a provisional license.

While driving with a learner's permit:

International License Holders

If you hold a valid driver license from another country, you can drive in Oregon as a visitor for up to one year. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended as a supplementary translation of your license.

If you become an Oregon resident, you must apply for an Oregon driver license within 30 days. Your foreign license does not transfer — you'll need to go through the full process: application, documents, fee, vision test, written knowledge test, and behind-the-wheel driving test.

As an adult applicant (18+), you can go directly for the full license without a mandatory permit holding period. You can take the written test and schedule your driving test as soon as you're ready.

Out-of-State Transfers

If you have a valid driver license from another U.S. state, you can transfer it to Oregon. You'll need to visit a DMV office, submit your application, provide documents, pay the fee, and take the vision test.

Written test: Oregon generally waives the knowledge test for drivers transferring a valid license from another U.S. state. You will not need to retake the written exam.

Driving test: The behind-the-wheel driving test is also typically waived for out-of-state transfers with a valid license. You'll surrender your old state's license and receive an Oregon license. You must complete the transfer within 30 days of establishing Oregon residency.

The Driver Manual

The Oregon Driver Manual is the official study guide for the knowledge test. Every question on the exam is based on information in this manual. It covers Oregon traffic laws, right-of-way rules, road signs and signals, safe driving practices, and special driving situations.

The manual is available as a free PDF download from the Oregon DMV website. You can also pick up a printed copy at any DMV office. It's published in 8 languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese.

Focus especially on road signs (about one-third of the test), right-of-way rules, and Oregon-specific laws. These areas tend to produce the most test questions.

Practice Tests

Taking practice tests is one of the most effective ways to prepare. They help you identify gaps in your knowledge and get comfortable with the question format.

A good study strategy is to read through the Oregon Driver Manual once, then take practice tests to find your weak areas. Go back and re-read the sections where you missed questions, then test yourself again. Repeat until you're consistently scoring well above the 80% passing threshold.

Pay special attention to road sign identification — it makes up a significant portion of the test. Make sure you can recognize all standard road signs, including warning signs, regulatory signs, and guide signs, by both their shape and color.

Behind-the-Wheel Requirements

After getting your permit, you'll need to complete supervised driving practice before taking the driving test. The number of hours depends on whether you've completed driver education.

GDL restrictions after getting a provisional license (teens under 18): Once you pass the driving test and receive your provisional license, you'll be subject to Oregon's Graduated Driver License restrictions:

Quick Reference

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