10 First is Oregon's graduated licensing system for drivers under 18

10 First is the name of Oregon's graduated driver licensing program. It requires drivers under 18 to progress through three stages — Instruction Permit, Intermediate License, and Full License — before they can drive without restrictions. Each stage has specific age requirements, supervised driving hours, and rules about when and how the driver can operate a vehicle.

The program exists to reduce crash risk among teen drivers by limiting their exposure to high-risk situations early on. You cannot skip stages or move faster than the law allows, even if you pass your driving test early. The timeline is built into the law itself.

Key Takeaways

  • 10 First has three stages: Instruction Permit (age 15), Intermediate License (age 16), and Full License (age 18), and you must complete each stage in order.
  • During the Instruction Permit stage, you must have a licensed adult 21 or older in the front passenger seat at all times.
  • The Intermediate License stage restricts driving between midnight and 5 a.m. and limits passengers under 20 unless they are family members.
  • You must hold each license stage for a minimum time before moving to the next one, and you cannot move forward if you have traffic violations or collisions during that stage.

Stage 1: Instruction Permit (age 15 and up)

You can get an Instruction Permit at age 15. To obtain one, you must pass a written knowledge test and a vision test at an Oregon DMV office. You do not need to pass a driving test yet. The Instruction Permit is valid for one year from the date it is issued.

While you hold an Instruction Permit, you must have a licensed driver who is 21 or older sitting in the front passenger seat every time you drive. This person is called a supervising driver. You cannot drive alone, and you cannot drive with only passengers under 21 in the car. You also cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you cannot use a handheld cell phone while driving.

You must hold the Instruction Permit for at least six months before you can move to the Intermediate License stage. If you receive a traffic violation or are in a collision during this period, the six-month clock resets, and you must wait another six months from the date of the violation or collision.

Stage 2: Intermediate License (age 16 and up)

Once you have held your Instruction Permit for at least six months without violations or collisions, you can take the driving test at an Oregon DMV office. If you pass, you receive an Intermediate License. You must be at least 16 years old to hold this license.

The Intermediate License removes the requirement for a supervising driver, but it adds new restrictions. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work, school, a school-sponsored event, or a medical appointment. You can have passengers, but any passengers under 20 must be family members — siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins. You also cannot use a handheld cell phone while driving.

You must hold the Intermediate License for at least six months without violations or collisions before you can move to the Full License stage. Like the Instruction Permit stage, any traffic violation or collision resets this six-month waiting period.

Stage 3: Full License (age 18 and up)

Once you have held your Intermediate License for at least six months without violations or collisions, and you are at least 18 years old, you can receive a Full License. At this stage, most restrictions are lifted. You can drive at any time of day and with any passengers.

However, you still cannot use a handheld cell phone while driving, and you must follow all standard traffic laws. The Full License is valid for eight years from the date it is issued (or until age 26, whichever comes first, if you are under 18 when you receive it).

What counts as a violation or collision that resets your stage

Any traffic violation — speeding, running a red light, failing to stop, improper lane change, or any other moving violation — resets your waiting period. This includes violations you receive while driving in another state. Parking violations and equipment violations (like a broken taillight) do not reset the clock, but moving violations do.

A collision also resets your waiting period, whether or not you were at fault. This applies to any accident you are involved in while driving, even if another driver caused it. The purpose is to give you more time to develop safe driving habits before moving to the next stage.

If you receive a violation or are in a collision, you must wait another full six months from the date of that incident before you can move forward. This means the total time to progress through all three stages can be significantly longer than 18 months if violations occur.

How 10 First affects your driving privileges

The restrictions in 10 First are enforced by Oregon law. If you violate the rules of your current stage — for example, driving alone during the Instruction Permit stage, or driving with non-family passengers after midnight during the Intermediate License stage — you can be cited by law enforcement. Violations can result in fines, license suspension, or both.

If your license is suspended due to a violation of 10 First rules, you may have to start over or wait additional time before you can move to the next stage. Suspension also counts as a violation and resets your waiting period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my Full License before age 18?

No. Oregon law requires you to be at least 18 years old to hold a Full License, even if you have completed all the stages and waiting periods. You will hold an Intermediate License until your 18th birthday, at which point you can explore for your Full License if you meet all other requirements.

What if I get a violation during the Instruction Permit stage?

Your six-month waiting period resets. You must wait another six months from the date of the violation before you can take the driving test for your Intermediate License. If you receive multiple violations, each one resets the clock from that date.

Do I have to have a specific person as my supervising driver?

No. Your supervising driver must be 21 or older and hold a valid driver's license, but it can be any licensed adult — a parent, guardian, driving instructor, or other adult. The person does not have to be the same person every time you drive.

Can I drive to school during the midnight to 5 a.m. restriction?

Yes. During both the Instruction Permit and Intermediate License stages, you can drive between midnight and 5 a.m. if you are driving to or from school, a school-sponsored event, work, or a medical appointment. You should carry documentation of the reason for your trip in case you are stopped.

What happens if I move to another state?

Oregon recognizes your 10 First stage and restrictions only while you hold an Oregon license. If you move and get a license in another state, that state's graduated licensing rules explore instead. However, traffic violations you received in Oregon will still appear on your driving record.