Oregon Renewal: Online, by Mail, or In Person
You can renew your Oregon driver's license online through the Oregon DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Most people renew online because it takes about 10 minutes and you can do it from home. Mail renewal takes longer but requires no office visit. In-person renewal is necessary only if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need to update your photo, or if you have a REAL ID license that is expiring.
Oregon sends you a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. That notice includes a renewal code you will need for online or mail renewal. If you do not receive a notice, you can still renew online using your driver's license number and date of birth.
Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days of approval. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives, as long as you renewed before the expiration date.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Oregon DMV website is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes if you have your renewal notice or license number.
- You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago, if you want a new photo, or if you hold a REAL ID license.
- Oregon charges a renewal fee that varies depending on your license type and how many years you are renewing for — typically $50 to $80 for a four-year renewal.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days, and you can drive legally on your old license until it arrives as long as you renewed before expiration.
- If you have changed your name, address, or other information since your last license was issued, you may need to visit an office in person or bring documents by mail.
Online Renewal Through the Oregon DMV Website
Go to oregon.gov/odot/dmv and select the renewal option. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the renewal code from your notice letter. If you do not have the renewal code, you can still proceed using your license number and date of birth — the system will verify your identity.
Answer the questions about any changes to your address, name, or medical information. Review your information for accuracy, then pay the renewal fee by debit card or credit card. Oregon does not accept checks or cash online. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot.
Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you have moved recently, update your address before you renew so the license goes to the right place. You cannot change your address after you submit the renewal.
Mail Renewal and What Documents to Send
If you prefer to renew by mail, use the renewal notice that Oregon sent you. Fill out the form on the back of the notice, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address printed on the notice. Do not send cash by mail.
If you do not have your renewal notice, you can request a renewal form by calling the Oregon DMV at 503-945-6353. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time Oregon receives your form, plus mail time in both directions. Plan ahead if your license is expiring soon.
If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, include a certified copy of your name change document — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you have changed your address, write the new address clearly on the form.
When You Must Renew In Person at a DMV Office
You cannot renew online or by mail if your license has been expired for more than five years. You also must visit an office in person if you want to update your photo, if you hold a REAL ID license, or if you need to correct information that cannot be changed online.
Find your nearest DMV office at oregon.gov/odot/dmv and check the office hours. Many offices now require you to schedule an appointment online rather than walk in. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days).
If you have changed your name, bring the document that proves the change — a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The office will take a new photo and process your renewal on the spot. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Oregon Renewal Fees and License Validity Periods
Oregon charges different renewal fees depending on how long you renew your license for. A four-year renewal costs around $50 to $60. An eight-year renewal costs around $100 to $120. The exact amount depends on your license type — a standard Class D license costs less than a commercial or motorcycle license.
Standard Oregon driver's licenses are valid for four or eight years from the date of issue. You choose the length when you renew. An eight-year license costs more upfront but means you renew less often. Licenses expire on your birthday in the year the license is set to expire.
If you are over 70 years old, Oregon requires you to renew in person every four years. You cannot choose an eight-year renewal after age 70.
What to Do If Your License Has Already Expired
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can still renew online or by mail using the same process as a regular renewal. Oregon does not charge a penalty or late fee for renewing after expiration.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring the same documents you would bring for a first-time license — proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of address. You will take a new photo and a vision test. You do not have to retake the written or road test unless Oregon has reason to believe you are not safe to drive.
While your license is expired, you cannot legally drive. Do not wait until your license expires to renew — renew in the month before expiration so your new license arrives before the old one is no longer valid.
REAL ID Licenses and Renewal Requirements
If your Oregon driver's license has a gold star in the upper right corner, it is a REAL ID license. REAL ID licenses can be used for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. They must be renewed in person at a DMV office, not online or by mail.
When you renew a REAL ID license in person, bring the same documents as for any in-person renewal, plus proof of your legal presence in the United States. A U.S. passport, birth certificate, or permanent resident card all work. The office will take a new photo and verify your information against federal databases.
If you do not have a REAL ID license and do not need one, you can renew a standard Class D license online or by mail. A standard license cannot be used for federal purposes but is valid for driving in Oregon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Oregon license if I have moved out of state?
Yes. You can renew online or by mail as long as your license has not been expired for more than five years. Update your address to your new out-of-state address before you renew. If you have moved out of state and no longer need an Oregon license, you can let it expire without renewing.
What if I lost my renewal notice letter?
You can still renew online using your driver's license number and date of birth — the renewal code from the notice is helpful but not required. If you prefer to renew by mail, call the Oregon DMV at 503-945-6353 and ask them to mail you a renewal form.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online and mail renewals take 7 to 10 business days after Oregon approves your renewal, plus mail delivery time. In-person renewals also take 7 to 10 business days for the new license to arrive by mail. You can drive on your old license until the new one arrives as long as you renewed before expiration.
Do I need to take a vision test or written test to renew?
No, not for a standard renewal. You take a vision test only if you renew in person at an office. You do not retake the written or road test unless your license has been expired for more than five years or Oregon has safety concerns about your driving.
What if my name has changed since I got my current license?
Include a certified copy of your name change document — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — with your mail renewal. If you renew online, you may need to visit an office in person to verify the name change. Call the Oregon DMV at 503-945-6353 before you renew to ask whether you can do it online with your new name.