To get a learner’s permit in Oregon, you apply at a DMV office at age 15 or older, bring proof of identity and residency, pass a 35-question knowledge test and a vision screening, and pay $37 in fees. If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian has to sign for you and certify that you’re meeting school requirements. Once you pass, the DMV hands you a temporary paper permit the same day, and the plastic card arrives in the mail a few weeks later.
Who Can Apply
Oregon’s minimum age for a Class C instruction permit is 15.1Oregon Revised Statutes. Oregon Code 807.280 – Instruction Driver Permit; Fees If you’re under 18 and not married or emancipated, a parent or guardian has to certify that you are enrolled in school (in Oregon or elsewhere), working toward a GED at a community college, being homeschooled in compliance with state law, or exempt from attendance requirements.2Oregon Revised Statutes. Oregon Code 807.066 – School Requirements for Persons Under 18 Years of Age If you’ve already graduated or earned a GED, you can show proof of that instead.
A parent or legal guardian also has to sign the application. That signature is normally captured electronically at the DMV office, but if the adult can’t come in person, they can sign a separate certification form beforehand.3Oregon Department of Transportation. Parent or Legal Guardian Signature
Adults 18 and older follow the same testing and fee process but skip the parental consent, the school certification, and the proctor requirement for the online knowledge test.4Oregon Department of Transportation. Get a Driver License – Over 18
What to Bring to the DMV
The DMV verifies four things: your identity, date of birth, Social Security number, and Oregon address. Plan on bringing:
- Proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or valid passport
- Your Social Security number
- Two documents showing your current Oregon residential address, like utility bills, bank statements, or school records5Oregon Department of Transportation. Get an Instruction Permit – Under 18
You don’t need to print and fill out the application in advance. Form 735-173 is now electronic and completed on DMV equipment during your visit.6Oregon Department of Transportation. Driver License/ID Card Application
At the counter you’ll choose between a standard permit and a Real ID-compliant version. A standard permit is fine for driving and age verification but won’t get you through airport security or into federal facilities. Since May 7, 2025, Real ID-compliant credentials have been required for domestic air travel.7Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID The Real ID version requires additional documents, so check the DMV’s Real ID checklist before your appointment if that’s the version you want.
The Knowledge Test
The test has 35 questions covering traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. You need at least 28 correct (80%) to pass. Every question comes from the Oregon Driver Manual, which the DMV publishes online for free.8Oregon Department of Transportation. Oregon Driver Manual – Table of Contents Read the whole manual. The questions aren’t tricky, but they test details that experienced drivers rely on without thinking about, like exact following-distance rules and what a flashing yellow arrow means.
You can take the test at a DMV office or online from home using a desktop or laptop with a webcam. Phones and tablets aren’t allowed. Applicants under 18 need an adult proctor at least 21 years old to register and observe them during the online test; adults can test unproctored.9Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services. Online Knowledge Testing You get four online attempts. After that, any retake happens at a DMV office.
Don’t take the test casually. Oregon treats every attempt as official, and a failure can affect your driving record. Study the manual first.
Vision Screening
A brief vision screening at the DMV checks that you can see well enough to drive safely. Bring your glasses or contacts if you use them. If you pass only with corrective lenses, your permit will carry a restriction requiring you to wear them whenever you drive. The screening takes a few minutes and happens during the same visit as your other testing.
Fees and What Happens at the DMV
You’ll pay two fees: $7 for the knowledge test and $30 for the permit, totaling $37.10Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services. Driver Licensing and ID Card Fees If you need to renew the permit later, the renewal fee is $26.
Oregon DMV offices work by appointment, so schedule one before you show up. During the visit you’ll submit your documents, have your photo taken, complete the vision screening, and take the knowledge test if you haven’t already done it online. Once you pass and pay, the DMV issues a temporary paper permit you can use immediately. Your permanent plastic card arrives in the mail, usually within a few weeks. The permit is valid for 24 months from the day it’s issued.1Oregon Revised Statutes. Oregon Code 807.280 – Instruction Driver Permit; Fees
What You Can and Can’t Do With the Permit
An instruction permit is not a license. Three rules govern every trip:
- A licensed driver at least 21 years old must sit in the seat beside you every time you drive. Backseat supervision doesn’t count.5Oregon Department of Transportation. Get an Instruction Permit – Under 18
- You must have the permit on you whenever you’re behind the wheel.1Oregon Revised Statutes. Oregon Code 807.280 – Instruction Driver Permit; Fees
- Teen drivers cannot use a cell phone or any mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle, even with hands-free accessories.
Choose your supervising driver with some care. Someone who can coach calmly and take over verbally if needed is far more useful than someone who just meets the age requirement.
Practice Hours Before the Next Step
Before you can move from a permit to a provisional driver license, Oregon requires documented supervised practice. The amount depends on whether you take a formal course:
- With an ODOT-approved driver education course: 50 hours of supervised practice.
- Without driver education: 100 hours of supervised practice, plus a driving test at a DMV office or approved third-party testing location.11Oregon Department of Transportation. Parent-Teen Resources
The course cuts your hours in half, and completion is reported to the DMV directly, so you skip a separate drive test appointment. Skipping the course means more practice hours and one more visit.
Oregon DMV provides a printable practice driving log for tracking your hours.12Oregon Department of Transportation. Practice Driving Log Keep it in the car and fill it in after each session. DMV staff do review these logs when you apply for your license, and one that looks reconstructed from memory won’t help.
You also have to hold the permit for at least six months before applying for a provisional license.13Oregon Department of Transportation. Get a Driver License – Under 18 The six-month wait doesn’t apply to adults 18 and older.
A Note on Insurance
Oregon requires liability insurance on every vehicle driven on public roads, and practice sessions with a permit are no exception. In most cases you’re covered under the vehicle owner’s existing policy while you’re learning, because auto insurance follows the car. Call the insurer anyway and tell them a permit holder will be driving. Some companies want the new driver formally added, and not disclosing could cause problems after an accident.