Oregon driver's license renewal by mail, online, or in person
Oregon lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Online renewal is the fastest option if your license is not expired and you have not had a name change or address change since your last renewal. By mail takes about two weeks. In-person renewal at an Oregon DMV office is required if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need to update your photo, or if you have had major life changes like a legal name change.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. That notice contains a barcode and instructions for online renewal. If you do not receive a notice, you can still renew online by visiting the Oregon DMV website and entering your driver's license number and date of birth. You will need a valid payment method — Oregon accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Key Takeaways
- Oregon sends a renewal notice 60 days before your license expires, and you can renew online using the barcode on that notice.
- Online renewal takes about one week and costs $95 for a five-year license or $195 for an eight-year license, depending on your age.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to send in your renewal notice, a check or money order, and a new photo if your license is more than eight years old.
- In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need a new photo, or if you have had a legal name change.
- Oregon does not require Real ID for standard driver's licenses, but you can request one during renewal if you plan to use your license for federal travel after May 2025.
Online renewal through the Oregon DMV website
Online renewal is available if your current license is not expired, you have not changed your name, and your address on file is still correct. Go to the Oregon DMV website, select "Renew Your License Online," and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will pull up your record and show you the renewal fee based on your age and the license term you choose.
You will answer a few questions about whether your vision, medical conditions, or driving record have changed since your last renewal. Be honest — if you have had a seizure, lost consciousness, or been diagnosed with a condition that affects your ability to drive safely, you must report it. Oregon uses this information to decide whether to send you for a vision test or medical evaluation before issuing your new license.
Once you complete the online form and pay the fee, Oregon DMV will mail your new license to the address on file. The new license usually arrives within five to seven business days. Your current license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can continue driving.
Mail renewal with a paper form
If you prefer to renew by mail, use the renewal notice Oregon sent you. Fill out the form, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order to the address listed on the notice. Do not send cash. Include a new photo if your current license is more than eight years old — Oregon requires a new photo every eight years for standard licenses.
Your new photo must be a color or black-and-white head shot taken within the last six months, at least two inches by two inches, with a plain background. You cannot wear a hat, sunglasses, or anything that obscures your face, except for religious head coverings. If you do not include a photo when one is required, Oregon DMV will contact you to schedule an in-person appointment.
Mail your renewal notice and payment to the address on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date Oregon receives your envelope. Your current license stays valid during this time. If you do not receive your new license within four weeks, contact the Oregon DMV to check the status.
In-person renewal at an Oregon DMV office
You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need a new photo, if you have changed your legal name, or if you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL). Bring your current license or ID, proof of your Social Security number (a 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 a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Oregon DMV will take a new photo at the office. The photo is included in the renewal fee, so there is no extra charge.
Oregon DMV offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some locations have Saturday hours. You can walk in without an appointment, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the Oregon DMV website to find the office nearest you and see current wait times before you go.
Oregon driver's license renewal fees and license terms
Oregon charges different fees based on your age and how long you want your license to be valid. If you are under 50, a five-year license costs $95 and an eight-year license costs $195. If you are 50 or older, a five-year license costs $75 and an eight-year license costs $150. These fees cover the license itself and are the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.
You choose your license term when you renew. An eight-year license costs more upfront but means you renew less often. A five-year license is cheaper but requires renewal sooner. There is no penalty for choosing either option.
If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), fees are higher and vary based on the endorsements you carry. You must renew a CDL in person at an Oregon DMV office.
Real ID and Oregon driver's license renewal
Oregon does not require a Real ID for a standard driver's license. Your current Oregon license will remain valid for driving within the United States even after May 2025, when the federal Real ID important date takes effect. However, if you plan to use your driver's license to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 2025, you will need either a Real ID or a passport.
You can request a Real ID during renewal — online, by mail, or in person. A Real ID costs the same as a standard license and looks the same except for a small star in the upper right corner. To get a Real ID, you must provide proof of your Social Security number and proof of your current address, the same documents you need for a standard renewal.
If you want a Real ID but are renewing by mail, include your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number with your renewal form. If you are renewing in person, bring the same documents you would bring for any in-person renewal.
What to do if your Oregon license is expired or lost
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew it using any of the three methods — online, by mail, or in person. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at an Oregon DMV office. Bring the same documents you would bring for any in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address.
If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew it by mail or online. You must go to an Oregon DMV office in person and request a replacement. Bring proof of your identity (a passport, birth certificate, or other government-issued ID), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. Oregon will issue a replacement license with the same number as your lost license. The replacement fee is $20.
If you lost your license and your renewal date is coming up soon, you can replace it and renew at the same time. Bring all the documents needed for both transactions, and Oregon DMV will handle both in one visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Oregon license if I moved out of state?
If you moved out of state and no longer live in Oregon, you cannot renew an Oregon license. You must get a driver's license from your new state. If you still live in Oregon but your address on file is out of state, you can update your address online or by mail before renewing, or you can update it in person at an Oregon DMV office.
What if I have a commercial driver's license (CDL)?
Commercial driver's licenses must be renewed in person at an Oregon DMV office. You cannot renew a CDL online or by mail. Bring your current CDL, proof of your Social Security number, proof of your current address, and your medical certificate if your CDL requires one. Fees for CDL renewal are higher than for standard licenses and depend on the endorsements you carry.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
After you renew online, Oregon DMV mails your new license to the address on file. It usually arrives within five to seven business days. Your current license remains valid and you can keep driving until the new one arrives.
Do I need to take a written test or vision test to renew?
Most people do not need to take a written test or vision test to renew. However, if you report a medical condition or vision problem on your renewal form, or if Oregon DMV has concerns about your driving record, they may ask you to come in for a vision test or medical evaluation before issuing your new license.
Can I renew my license before the expiration date?
Yes. You can renew your license up to six months before it expires. Oregon will mail your new license, and it will be valid starting on the expiration date of your current license. This means there is no gap in your driving privileges.