Oregon driver's license renewal by mail, online, or in person
You can renew your Oregon driver's license through three routes: online at oregon.gov/odot, by mail using the renewal notice DMV sends you, or in person at any DMV office. Online renewal is fastest — you'll have your new license in about two weeks. Mail renewal takes three to four weeks. In-person renewal at a DMV office takes about 30 minutes but requires an appointment, which you book through the same website.
Which route you can use depends on your license type and how long it's been expired. Standard licenses that haven't expired yet can renew online or by mail. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person. If you've had a name change, address change, or need to update your photo, in-person renewal is your only option.
The renewal fee is $78 for an eight-year license (standard for most adults) or $48 for a four-year license. You pay when you submit your renewal, whether online or by mail. In-person renewals require the same fee plus a $5 appointment fee.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through oregon.gov/odot is the fastest method and takes about two weeks from submission to receiving your new license.
- You can renew by mail using the renewal notice DMV sends you, though this takes three to four weeks.
- In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than five years ago, or if you need to change your name, address, or photo.
- The renewal fee is $78 for an eight-year license or $48 for a four-year license, plus a $5 appointment fee if renewing in person.
- You must have a valid Social Security number and current address on file to renew online or by mail.
Online renewal through Oregon's DMV website
Online renewal is available at oregon.gov/odot under the "Renew Your License" section. You'll need your current license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your information against DMV records and ask you to confirm your address. If your address has changed, you update it during this step.
Once you submit the online form and pay the $78 fee (or $48 for a four-year license), DMV mails your new license to the address on file. You should receive it within two weeks. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives. Online renewal does not include a new photo — your license will show the photo from your previous renewal.
Online renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need a new photo, if you've changed your name, or if you're upgrading your license class (such as adding a motorcycle endorsement). In those cases, you must renew in person.
Mail renewal using your DMV notice
Oregon DMV mails renewal notices to your address on file about 60 days before your license expires. The notice includes a form you fill out, your renewal fee amount, and instructions for mailing everything back to DMV. You don't need to include your current license — just the completed form, a check or money order for the fee, and the notice itself.
Mail your renewal package to the address printed on the notice. Processing takes three to four weeks from the date DMV receives it. You can continue driving on your current license during this time. Like online renewal, mail renewal does not include a new photo.
If you don't receive a renewal notice, you can request one by calling DMV at 503-945-6353 or visiting an office in person. You can also renew online instead of waiting for the notice to arrive.
In-person renewal at a DMV office
In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need a new photo, if you've had a legal name change, or if you're changing your address and want to update it on your license. You must book an appointment through oregon.gov/odot — walk-ins are not accepted at most offices.
Bring your current license (or expired license if it's been more than five years), proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form). If you've changed your name legally, bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
The appointment itself takes about 30 minutes. You'll have a new photo taken, confirm your information, and pay the $78 fee (or $48 for a four-year license) plus a $5 appointment fee. DMV mails your new license to you within two weeks. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
What happens if your license is already expired
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can still renew online or by mail using the same process as a non-expired renewal. You do not need to take a written or driving test. However, you should not drive until your new license arrives.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew — you must explore for a new license. This requires an in-person visit, a written test, a vision test, and a driving test. Contact your local DMV office or visit oregon.gov/odot to schedule an appointment for a new license process.
Renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL)
Commercial driver's licenses cannot be renewed online or by mail. You must renew in person at a DMV office. You'll need to bring your current CDL, proof of address, proof of Social Security number, and a medical certificate (FMCSA form) if your CDL requires one. The fee is $78 for an eight-year license.
You do not need to retake the written or driving test if your CDL is not expired. If it has been expired for more than five years, you must explore for a new CDL, which includes all tests. Book your appointment through oregon.gov/odot.
Renewing an ID card instead of a driver's license
If you have an Oregon ID card (not a driver's license), the renewal process is the same: online, by mail, or in person. Online and mail renewal work identically to driver's license renewal. In-person renewal requires the same documents and takes the same amount of time.
The renewal fee for an ID card is $30 for an eight-year card or $20 for a four-year card. If you're renewing in person, add the $5 appointment fee. Like driver's licenses, ID cards renewed online or by mail will not include a new photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it's already expired?
Yes, if it expired fewer than five years ago. You can renew online, by mail, or in person using the standard renewal process — no test required. However, you should not drive until your new license arrives. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must explore for a new license, which includes a written test, vision test, and driving test.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online renewal takes about two weeks. Mail renewal takes three to four weeks. In-person renewal also takes about two weeks for mailing, though the appointment itself is done the same day. You can drive on your current license while you wait for the new one to arrive.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
Only if you renew in person. Online and mail renewals use your photo from your previous license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
What if I've moved and need to update my address?
You can update your address during online renewal or in person at a DMV office. If you renew by mail, you can call DMV at 503-945-6353 to update your address before mailing your renewal, or update it when your new license arrives and you visit an office in person.
Can I renew my license early?
Yes. You can renew online or by mail up to one year before your license expires. In-person renewal can be done up to one year early as well. Early renewal extends your expiration date from the new license's issue date, not from your current license's expiration date.