Moving to Oregon, REAL ID and renewals

By the end of this topic you can

• You can say how long a new resident may drive on an out-of-state license.
• You can work out which tests you may need when transferring a license.
• You can decide whether you need a REAL ID.
• You can plan a renewal online or in person.

What you need to know and understand

• New residents may drive on a current out-of-state license for up to 30 days after becoming Oregon residents.
• If you surrender a license from another state, DC, a US territory, the US State Department, Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan that is valid or expired under one year, DMV may waive the knowledge and drive tests.
• Licenses from other countries require the knowledge test; check with DMV about the drive test.
• You must surrender any other license, permit or ID card.
• A standard Oregon license expires on your birthday about eight years after it is issued.
• You may renew up to 12 months before or 2 years after expiration; after 2 years you must reapply and retest.
• Since May 7, 2025, a standard non-REAL ID Oregon card is no longer accepted to board US commercial flights.

Switching to an Oregon license

Under-18 new residents who surrender a valid out-of-state license do not need to meet the Oregon permit-time, supervised-hours or driver ed requirements, but they are issued a provisional license with its restrictions. Our deeper guide on moving to Oregon covers transfers in more detail.

1. Within 30 days of becoming a resident, visit a DMV office.
2. Bring proof of identity, date of birth and your Oregon address, and your Social Security Number or a certification that you have none.
3. Surrender your out-of-state license and any other license, permit or ID card.
4. Pass the vision test, and any knowledge or drive test DMV requires.
5. Pay the fee and have your photo taken.

REAL ID: do you need it?

A REAL ID license has a star and is accepted for boarding US commercial flights and entering some federal facilities. You need extra documents and an office visit to get one. You do not need REAL ID if you will use another accepted ID, such as a US passport, passport card, military ID or permanent resident card. A REAL ID is optional for driving.

Renewing your license

• Online renewal through DMV2U is available if you meet the conditions, such as having a photo on file less than nine years old.
• Drivers 65 and older cannot renew online and must pass a vision test at the office.
• In person, bring proof of address and identity, pay the renewal fee and have your photo taken.
• Your new license is mailed and not forwarded, so update your address first if you have moved.
• DMV does not send permit expiration notices, so track your own dates.

Common mistakes

• Driving on an out-of-state license for months after moving. The exemption ends 30 days after you become a resident.
• Letting an old license lapse more than a year before moving. Test waivers need a license valid or expired less than one year.
• Assuming a standard license works at the airport. Without REAL ID, bring a passport or other accepted ID.
• Waiting more than 2 years past expiration to renew. You will have to reapply and retake tests.

Test yourself: Moving to Oregon, REAL ID and renewals

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Moving to Oregon
• Driving Near Light Rail and Streetcars in Oregon
• How to Get a Driver’s License in Oregon