Moving to Oregon: Transferring an Out-of-State License

Photo: Brett Sayles, Pexels

New to Oregon? Oregon DMV says new residents must get an Oregon driver’s license (if they want to drive) and title and register their vehicle within 30 days. Most people transfer without a knowledge or drive test if their license is from another US state, DC, a US territory, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Germany or Taiwan and is not expired more than a year. You still pass a vision test. This guide covers each step, what teens need and how to bring a car into Oregon.

Key facts (Oregon DMV, as of November 2026)

• Deadline: within 30 days of becoming a resident, for both your license and your vehicle title and registration.
• No knowledge or drive test, in most cases, if you surrender a license from a US state, DC, a US territory, the US Department of State, Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan.
• Your old license can’t be expired more than 1 year, and you can’t be suspended, cancelled or revoked anywhere.
• Vision test: required for everyone getting a license.
• Vehicles: VIN inspection for out-of-state titles ($9 at an Oregon DMV office), and a DEQ emissions test in the Portland Metro and Medford areas where required.

Resident or visitor?

DMV treats you as a visitor, who can keep driving on a valid license from home, if you are any of these:

• a permanent resident of somewhere outside Oregon
• in the military and stationed in Oregon
• attending school in Oregon and paying non-resident tuition
• not planning to take any steps to become a resident

Everyone else who has moved in should treat the 30 days as running.

Getting an Oregon license with an out-of-state license (18 and over)

1. Decide whether you want a REAL ID. It needs extra documents. See REAL ID and your first US license.
2. Visit a DMV office for standby service or with an appointment.
3. Show proof of your physical address and identity. DMV lists the accepted documents on its identity documentation page.
4. Give your Social Security number, or certify electronically that you don’t have one.
5. Turn in your out-of-state license (and any other license, permit or ID card you hold).
6. Pass the vision test.
7. Pay the fees and have your photo taken. Check the current amount on the DMV fee table.

You leave with an interim card. Many agencies, including the TSA and the Social Security Administration, don’t accept it as ID. Your license is mailed to the address you give DMV and is not forwarded, so use an address where you will actually receive mail.

When will you have to test?

The knowledge test can be taken online or at a DMV office. See the Oregon knowledge test guide and Oregon drive test and driver ed waiver.

Moving to Oregon under 18

Teens get an Oregon provisional driver license. DMV’s teen page says you may not have to take a drive test if you are new to Oregon and give DMV your out-of-state license, as long as it is not expired more than 1 year. You still:

• make an appointment or visit a DMV office
• show proof of address and identity, and give your SSN or certify you don’t have one
• pass a vision test, pay the fee and have your photo taken

For a new teen applicant, Oregon’s standard route is a permit held for 6 months and 100 hours of supervised driving (or 50 hours with an approved driver ed course). If you arrive with only a permit, ask DMV how your out-of-state time and hours count. Once licensed, provisional passenger and night limits apply: see Oregon provisional license rules and Oregon’s 50 or 100 hour supervised driving requirement.

Titling and registering your car in Oregon

You must title a vehicle in Oregon to register it. DMV’s instructions for vehicles new to Oregon (form 735-6603) list the steps:

1. Complete and sign an Application for Title and Registration (form 735-226), including the odometer reading and any lienholder.
2. Submit the out-of-state title or other original ownership document. DMV returns applications mailed without it.
3. Get a VIN inspection. It costs $9 at a DMV office in Oregon. If the car is still out of state, that state’s DMV or a law enforcement officer can do it.
4. Prove Low Emission Vehicle compliance if your car is a 2009 or newer model with 7,500 miles or less. Electric, hybrid and government-owned vehicles are exempt.
5. Bring a DEQ Certificate of Compliance if you live in the Portland Metro area or Medford and your vehicle must be tested.
6. Pay title, registration and plate fees.

Lender holding your title? Send the lender the completed documents, fees and DMV’s Security Interest Holder letter (form 735-6603L) so it forwards the title to DMV. Get Oregon insurance before you register: minimum car insurance by state. General background: title, registration and inspection in the US.

Common questions

How long do I have to get an Oregon license after moving?

30 days from becoming a resident, according to Oregon DMV.

Do I have to take the written test to transfer my license to Oregon?

Usually not, if you surrender a license from a US state, DC, a US territory, Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan that is not expired more than 1 year.

Is there an eye test?

Yes. Passing a vision test is one of DMV’s steps for every applicant.

Can I use my interim card to fly?

Don’t count on it. DMV says the TSA and many other agencies don’t accept it as identification.

Where do I get a VIN inspection?

At an Oregon DMV office ($9), or by that state’s DMV or a law enforcement officer if the car is still out of state.

I’m a student from California at an Oregon university. Do I need an Oregon license?

If you pay non-resident tuition, DMV counts you as a visitor, so you can drive on your valid California license.

Moving between other states? See moving to a new state: transferring your license, or the full Oregon license guide.

Sources

• Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services, “New to Oregon” (oregon.gov)
• Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services, “Get a Driver License: Over 18” (oregon.gov)
• Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services, “Get a Driver License: Under 18” (oregon.gov)
• Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services, “Title and Registration Instructions for Vehicles New to Oregon” form 735-6603 (oregon.gov)
• Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services, “Required Identity Documentation” (oregon.gov)