How to Get a Hardship License After a DUI in Oregon

What a hardship license does in Oregon after a DUI

An Oregon hardship license (officially called a Conditional Driving Permit) lets you drive to specific places—work, school, medical appointments, court-ordered programs—during a suspension caused by a DUI conviction or refusal to take a breath test. It is not a full license. You can only drive the routes and times the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) approves, and you must carry proof of the permit and your ignition interlock device installation (if required) whenever you drive.

You cannot get a hardship license when ready after arrest. Oregon law sets a waiting period: 30 days for a first refusal or DUI, 90 days for a second offense within 10 years, and one year for a third or subsequent offense within 10 years. The waiting period begins on the date of arrest or the date your license was suspended by ODOT, whichever is later. You must also have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle before ODOT will issue the permit.

The hardship license is separate from any court-ordered license suspension. If a judge suspends your license as part of sentencing, the hardship permit runs alongside that suspension—it does not replace it. You will need to meet both the court's terms and ODOT's terms to drive legally.

Key Takeaways

You must wait 30 days (first offense), 90 days (second within 10 years), or one year (third or more within 10 years) before you can request a hardship license from ODOT.
An ignition interlock device must be installed in your vehicle before ODOT will issue the permit, and you pay for installation and monthly monitoring yourself.
The hardship license limits you to pre-approved routes and times—typically work, school, medical care, court programs, and the interlock service provider—and you must carry the permit and proof of interlock installation at all times.
You must submit a written request to ODOT's Driver and Motor Vehicle Services office, along with proof of interlock installation and a list of the specific places you need to drive to.
If you are convicted of driving outside the permit's approved routes or times, you lose the hardship license and face additional criminal charges.

The waiting period before you can request a hardship license

Oregon's waiting period is mandatory and cannot be shortened. The clock starts on the arrest date or the date ODOT suspends your license, whichever comes later. For a first DUI or first refusal, the waiting period is 30 days. For a second offense within 10 years, it is 90 days. For a third or subsequent offense within 10 years, it is one year.

The 10-year lookback window means ODOT counts any DUI, refusal, or reckless driving conviction within the past 10 years when determining your waiting period. If your prior conviction is older than 10 years, it does not count, and you are treated as a first offender for waiting-period purposes.

You cannot request a hardship license before the waiting period ends. ODOT will reject any request submitted early. If you are unsure of your exact waiting period, contact ODOT's Driver and Motor Vehicle Services office directly with your case number or arrest date, and they will tell you the date you become may be able to access.

Installing an ignition interlock device

An ignition interlock device is a breath-testing machine wired to your vehicle's ignition. Before the engine starts, you blow into the device. If your blood alcohol content is above the legal limit (typically 0.04 percent for interlock purposes), the engine will not start. You must have one installed before ODOT will issue a hardship license.

You are responsible for finding and paying for installation. Oregon does not provide a list of approved vendors on the ODOT website, but you can search online for "ignition interlock Oregon" or ask your DUI attorney for a referral. Installation typically costs between $100 and $200, and monthly monitoring fees range from $50 to $100, depending on the vendor. Some vendors offer payment plans.

When you have the device installed, the vendor will give you a receipt or certificate of installation. Keep this document—you will need to submit it to ODOT as proof when you request your hardship license. The certificate should show the device type, installation date, and the vehicle's VIN.

How to request a hardship license from ODOT

Submit a written request to ODOT's Driver and Motor Vehicle Services office after your waiting period ends. You can mail the request or deliver it in person. Include the following documents: your driver's license or ID, proof of interlock installation (the certificate from the vendor), a list of the specific places you need to drive to (with addresses), and your case number or arrest date.

Your list of approved locations should be as specific as possible. Instead of writing "work," write the business name and full street address. Instead of "medical appointments," list the clinic or hospital name and address. ODOT will approve only the routes and times you request. If you later need to add a location—a new job, a different school—you must request an amendment to your permit in writing.

Mail your request to: Oregon Department of Transportation, Driver and Motor Vehicle Services, 1905 Lana Avenue NE, Salem, OR 97314. Include a cover letter stating that you are requesting a Conditional Driving Permit and that you have completed the waiting period. ODOT typically responds within two to four weeks. If you do not hear back within that time, call the office at 503-945-5000 to confirm receipt.

What the hardship license covers and what it does not

Your hardship license will specify the days and times you can drive, the routes you can take, and the purposes for which you can drive. Typical approved purposes include commuting to and from work, attending school or court-ordered DUI programs, medical appointments, and driving to the interlock service provider for monitoring or maintenance.

You cannot use the hardship license to drive for any other reason. Driving to a restaurant, a friend's house, a store, or anywhere else not on your permit is a violation. If you are stopped by police and cannot show that your trip falls within the permit's approved purposes, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license, which is a criminal offense in Oregon.

The hardship license does not override a court-ordered suspension. If a judge suspended your license as part of your DUI sentence, the hardship permit allows you to drive only within the scope both ODOT and the court have approved. Read your court paperwork carefully to understand any additional restrictions the judge imposed.

Interlock monitoring requirements and costs

Once the interlock device is installed, you must submit to monthly monitoring. The vendor will contact you to schedule appointments, usually at their office or sometimes at a service station. During monitoring, the device is checked for tampering, and data is downloaded to show whether you have attempted to drive with alcohol in your system.

Monthly monitoring fees vary by vendor but typically range from $50 to $100. Some vendors charge a one-time calibration fee in addition to monthly fees. You are responsible for paying these costs. If you miss a monitoring appointment or fail to pay fees, the vendor may report this to ODOT, and your hardship license can be revoked.

The interlock must remain in your vehicle for the entire duration of your license suspension. For a first DUI, this is typically one year from the date of suspension. For a second or subsequent offense, it may be longer. When your suspension ends and ODOT reinstates your full license, you can have the interlock removed, but you must provide ODOT with a removal certificate from the vendor.

Violations and loss of the hardship license

Driving outside the approved routes, times, or purposes is a violation of your hardship license. If you are stopped by police and cannot show that your trip was authorized, you will be cited for driving with a suspended license. This is a Class A misdemeanor in Oregon and can result in jail time, fines, and a longer license suspension.

Tampering with or attempting to circumvent the interlock device is also a violation. This includes asking someone else to blow into the device, disconnecting the device, or driving a different vehicle to avoid the interlock requirement. These actions can result in criminal charges and when ready revocation of your hardship license.

If your hardship license is revoked, you lose the right to drive for any purpose until your full suspension period ends. You cannot request another hardship license during the same suspension. If you believe your hardship license was revoked in error, you can request a hearing with ODOT's Driver and Motor Vehicle Services office, but you must do so within 10 days of the revocation notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to the interlock vendor on my hardship license?

Yes. Driving to and from the interlock service provider for installation, monitoring, maintenance, or removal is an approved purpose and is automatically included in your hardship license. You do not need to list the vendor's address separately on your request form.

What happens if I get pulled over and cannot prove I have an interlock device?

You must carry proof of interlock installation (the certificate from the vendor) whenever you drive. If you cannot show this proof, you can be cited for driving with a suspended license. Keep the certificate in your vehicle at all times, along with your hardship license.

Can I drive a different vehicle if it has an interlock device installed?

No. Your hardship license is tied to the specific vehicle in which the interlock device is installed. If you need to drive a different vehicle, you must have an interlock device installed in that vehicle as well, and you must notify ODOT of the vehicle change. Driving a vehicle without an interlock device while your license is suspended is a criminal offense.

How long does the hardship license last?

The hardship license lasts for the duration of your license suspension. For a first DUI, the suspension is typically one year. For a second offense within 10 years, it is three years. For a third or subsequent offense, it is 10 years. When your suspension ends, your full driving privileges are restored, and you can have the interlock device removed.

Can I request a hardship license if I refused the breath test?

Yes. A refusal to take a breath test or blood test triggers the same waiting period and hardship license process as a DUI conviction. The waiting period for a first refusal is 30 days, the same as a first DUI.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.