Oregon driver's licenses expire every eight years, and you can renew yours online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office
Your Oregon driver's license is valid for eight years from the date it was issued. When it expires, you have three ways to renew: online through the Oregon DMV website, by mail using a renewal form, or in person at a Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) office. The method you choose depends on whether your address has changed, whether you need a new photo, and how quickly you want the renewed license in hand.
You can renew up to one year before your license expires. The expiration date is printed on the front of your license. If you renew early, your new license will be valid for eight years from the date you renew, not from the date your old one expired.
Key Takeaways
- Oregon driver's licenses expire every eight years, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your situation.
- Online renewal is the fastest option if your address has not changed and you do not need a new photo, and costs $97 for a standard license.
- If you have moved, changed your name, or want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
- Mail renewal takes four to six weeks and requires a completed form, payment, and a new photo if your current one is more than eight years old.
- Scammers pose as Oregon DMV on social media and email — the real DMV never asks for payment through text, email, or social media.
Online renewal: fastest if nothing has changed
Online renewal through the Oregon DMV website is the quickest path if your address is current, your name has not changed, and you do not need a new photo. You will need your current driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method. The renewal fee is $97 for a standard five-year license or $147 for an eight-year license.
After you complete the online form and pay, Oregon DMV mails your renewed license to the address on file. Delivery typically takes seven to ten business days. You can use your old license until the new one arrives. If you need the license sooner, online renewal is not the right choice — you will need to renew in person.
Online renewal is not available if you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), a hazmat endorsement, or a motorcycle endorsement. You must renew those in person at a DMV office.
In-person renewal: required for address changes, new photos, and endorsements
You must renew in person at a DMV office if your address has changed, if you want a new photo, if you have a CDL or endorsements, or if you are renewing a license that has been suspended or revoked. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment.
Oregon DMV offices are located in Salem, Portland, Eugene, Medford, and Bend, as well as several smaller cities. You can find the full list and hours on the Oregon DMV website. Some offices accept walk-ins, but many require an appointment. Check the office location page before you go, because wait times vary widely and some offices book weeks in advance.
When you renew in person, you receive your new license on the spot or within a few days, depending on the office. The fee is the same as online renewal: $97 for a five-year license or $147 for an eight-year license.
Mail renewal: slower but available if you cannot visit an office
You can renew by mail if you do not need a new photo and your address has not changed. Request a renewal form from the Oregon DMV website or call 503-945-6353. Fill out the form, include a check or money order for $97 (five-year) or $147 (eight-year), and mail it to the address on the form.
Mail renewal takes four to six weeks from the time Oregon DMV receives your form. If your current photo is more than eight years old, you must include a new one — a standard passport-style photo, 2 by 2 inches. If you do not include a photo when one is required, Oregon DMV will return your form and you will have to start over.
Mail renewal is not available if you have a CDL, endorsements, or a suspended or revoked license. It is also not available if your name has changed since your last license was issued.
What to bring and what it costs
For online renewal, you need your current driver's license number, Social Security number, and a payment method. For in-person renewal, bring your current license, proof of your current address, and payment. For mail renewal, send your completed form, payment, and a new photo if required.
The renewal fee is $97 for a five-year license or $147 for an eight-year license. Oregon DMV accepts cash, check, money order, debit card, and credit card. If you renew online or by mail, you can pay by check, money order, or card. If you renew in person, the office accepts all payment methods.
If you need a replacement license because yours was lost, stolen, or damaged, that is a different process and costs $20. Do not confuse renewal with replacement — renewal is for an expired or expiring license, replacement is for one that is gone or unusable.
Scam alert: fake Oregon DMV messages and websites
Scammers impersonate Oregon DMV on Facebook, Instagram, email, and text message. They claim your license is about to expire or has been suspended and ask you to click a link or call a number to "renew" or "verify" your information. The real Oregon DMV never contacts you by text, email, or social media to ask for payment or personal information.
If you receive a message claiming to be from Oregon DMV, do not click any links or call any number in the message. Instead, go directly to the official Oregon DMV website (oregon.gov/odot/dmv) or call 503-945-6353. Scammers also create fake websites that look like the real DMV site but steal your information when you enter it. Always type the address into your browser yourself rather than clicking a link from an email or message.
If you have already given your information to a scammer, contact your bank and credit card companies right away. You can also report the scam to the Oregon Attorney General's office at doj.oregon.gov or call 503-378-4400.
What happens if your license expires before you renew
If your license expires and you have not renewed it, you cannot legally drive. If you are stopped by police, you face a citation and possible fine. Driving with an expired license is different from driving without a license — it is still a violation, but usually less serious.
You can still renew an expired license using any of the three methods. There is no penalty for renewing late, and the fee is the same. However, if your license has been expired for more than a few years, Oregon DMV may require you to renew in person and take a new photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have moved out of Oregon?
If you have moved to another state, you should get a driver's license from your new state rather than renewing your Oregon license. However, if you still have an Oregon address on file or are temporarily out of state, you can renew online or by mail. If you have permanently moved and changed your address to another state, contact Oregon DMV before renewing.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
Not always. If you renew online or by mail and your current photo is less than eight years old, you do not need a new one. If your photo is more than eight years old and you renew by mail, you must include a new passport-style photo. If you renew in person, you can choose to get a new photo or keep your current one, but a new photo costs an additional $15.
How long does it take to get my renewed license?
Online renewal takes seven to ten business days by mail. In-person renewal gives you your license on the spot or within a few days. Mail renewal takes four to six weeks. If you need your license urgently, renew in person at a DMV office.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
You cannot renew online or by mail if your name has changed. You must renew in person at a DMV office and bring proof of your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or amended birth certificate. Bring your current license and proof of your current address as well.
Can I renew my license if it has been suspended or revoked?
No. If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Contact Oregon DMV to find out the reason and what you need to do to restore your driving privileges. You must renew in person once the suspension or revocation is cleared.