What you need to do to drive legally again in Oregon
To restore your driving privileges in Oregon after a suspension, you must contact the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division, pay any fines or fees owed, and complete any required programs — such as a DUI course or traffic safety school. The exact steps depend on why your license was suspended. Once you have completed all requirements, ODOT will send you a notice that your driving privileges have been restored, and you can resume driving legally.
The process typically takes two to four weeks after you have finished all requirements, though it can be faster if you handle everything at once. You cannot drive during the suspension period, even with a restricted or provisional license, unless ODOT has specifically issued one to you.
Key Takeaways
- Contact ODOT Driver and Motor Vehicle Services to find out exactly why your license was suspended and what steps you must complete before restoration.
- Most suspensions require you to pay reinstatement fees, which range depending on the reason for suspension, plus any outstanding fines or court costs.
- DUI-related suspensions almost always require completion of a certified alcohol or drug treatment program before ODOT will restore your license.
- Once you have met all requirements, ODOT will mail you written confirmation that your driving privileges have been restored.
- Some suspensions allow you to request a restricted license to drive to work or school during the suspension period, but you must request this before the suspension begins.
Finding out what caused your suspension and what you owe
Call ODOT Driver and Motor Vehicle Services at 503-945-5000 or visit an ODOT office in person to pull your driving record. You will need your driver's license number or Social Security number. The staff member will tell you the exact reason for your suspension — whether it is unpaid traffic fines, a DUI conviction, accumulation of points, failure to pay child support, or another cause — and what you must do to restore your license.
Write down the specific requirements and any important date. Ask whether you owe reinstatement fees, fines, or court costs, and whether any of those can be paid online or by phone. Some fees can be paid when ready; others must be paid in person at an ODOT office or through the court that issued the suspension.
If you do not know why your license was suspended, ODOT's online driver record lookup tool at oregondmv.org can show you the suspension reason, though calling is faster if you need when ready answers about what to do next.
Paying fines, fees, and court costs
Oregon charges a reinstatement fee to restore your driving privileges. The amount varies by the reason for suspension — typically between $100 and $300 — but ODOT will tell you the exact amount when you call. You must pay this fee before your license will be restored, even if you have completed other requirements.
If your suspension was caused by unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay those as well. Contact the court that issued the ticket or fine to find out the total amount owed and whether you can set up a payment plan. Some courts allow you to pay online; others require payment by mail or in person.
For DUI-related suspensions, you may also owe court fines, probation fees, or costs related to the arrest. Ask the court or your probation officer for an itemized list of what you owe and the important date for payment. Once all fines and fees are paid, keep receipts or payment confirmations — you may need to show these to ODOT.
Completing required programs for DUI and drug-related suspensions
If your license was suspended because of a DUI or drug-related conviction, Oregon requires you to complete a certified alcohol or drug treatment program before ODOT will restore your driving privileges. The program must be approved by the Oregon Health Authority. ODOT will not restore your license until you provide proof of completion.
The length and type of program depend on your conviction and prior history. A first-time DUI typically requires a minimum 16-hour program; repeat offenses may require longer or more intensive treatment. You can search for approved programs on the Oregon Health Authority website or ask the court that handled your case for a list of providers in your area.
Once you complete the program, the provider will give you a certificate of completion. Keep this document and provide a copy to ODOT when you request license restoration. Some providers will send the completion notice directly to ODOT, but confirm this with the program before you finish.
Requesting a restricted license during your suspension
Oregon allows you to request a restricted license for certain suspensions, which lets you drive to work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs during the suspension period. You must request this before your suspension begins — you cannot request it after the suspension has already started.
Not all suspension reasons allow a restricted license. DUI suspensions typically do not may have access to, but suspensions for unpaid fines, points accumulation, or administrative reasons sometimes do. Contact ODOT or the court that issued your suspension to ask whether you are may be able to access and how to request one.
If you are may be able to access, you will need to complete a form and provide proof of your need — such as a letter from your employer or school. ODOT will mail you a restricted license if approved. This license is valid only for the specific purposes listed and only during the suspension period.
Submitting your restoration request to ODOT
Once you have paid all fines and fees and completed any required programs, contact ODOT to request license restoration. You can do this by phone at 503-945-5000, by mail, or in person at an ODOT office. Have your driver's license number, Social Security number, and proof of completion (such as a program certificate or payment receipts) ready.
If you are mailing your request, send it to ODOT Driver and Motor Vehicle Services, 1905 Lakeridge Drive, Salem, OR 97314. Include copies of all required documents — never send originals. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records.
ODOT will review your request and confirm that all requirements have been met. If everything is in order, they will mail you a notice of restoration within two to four weeks. Your driving privileges are restored on the date shown in that notice.
What happens after your license is restored
Once ODOT sends you written notice that your driving privileges have been restored, you can drive legally again. If your physical license card was suspended, you do not need to get a new one — your existing license is valid again. However, if your license expired during the suspension period, you will need to renew it before driving.
Check the expiration date on your license. If it has expired, you can renew it online at oregondmv.org, by mail, or in person at an ODOT office. Renewal is separate from restoration and may have its own fee.
Keep the restoration notice from ODOT in your vehicle or with your license for at least 30 days in case you are stopped by law enforcement. Some officers may not when ready see the restoration in the system, and the notice proves your driving privileges have been restored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have an emergency?
No. Oregon law does not allow you to drive with a suspended license under any circumstances, including emergencies. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. If you have a genuine emergency, call 911 or ask someone else to drive.
How long does it take to get my license back after I finish all the requirements?
ODOT typically processes restoration requests within two to four weeks after you submit proof that all requirements are complete. If you submit everything at once — fines paid, program completed, forms filled out — the process is usually faster. Calling ODOT to confirm receipt of your request can help you track the timeline.
What if I cannot afford to pay all my fines at once?
Contact the court that issued your fines to ask about a payment plan. Many courts allow you to pay in installments over several months. You may also be able to request a fee waiver or reduction if you demonstrate financial hardship, though this requires a formal request to the court. ODOT reinstatement fees sometimes have payment plan options as well — ask when you call.
Do I need a new physical license card after restoration?
No. Your existing license card remains valid once your driving privileges are restored, as long as the card itself has not expired. If your license card expired during the suspension, you will need to renew it separately through ODOT, but this is a different process from restoration and has its own fee.
What if I move out of Oregon after my license is suspended?
You must still complete all requirements to restore your Oregon license, even if you no longer live in the state. You can pay fines and fees by mail or phone, and many treatment programs can be completed in your new state if they are certified by Oregon. Contact ODOT to confirm that out-of-state programs will be accepted before you enroll.