Oregon driver's license renewal works differently depending on whether you renew in person or online

Oregon allows you to renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The method you choose depends on your age, how long your license has been expired, and whether you need a new photo. Most people under 50 with a current or recently expired license can renew online through the Oregon DMV website in about 10 minutes. If you cannot renew online, you will need to visit a DMV office or mail in a paper form.

The Oregon DMV does not use the term "OR DMV" officially—it is the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division—but the process is straightforward once you know which path applies to you. Your renewal method determines what documents you need, how long it takes, and when your new license arrives.

Key Takeaways

  • Oregon residents under 50 with a current or recently expired license can renew online at oregondmv.org without visiting an office or submitting new documents.
  • Online renewal costs less than in-person renewal and takes about 10 minutes, but you keep your current photo for five more years.
  • If your license expired more than five years ago, you are over 50, or you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
  • Mail renewal is available but slower than online or in-person options and requires printing and mailing a paper form with payment.
  • Your new license arrives by mail within two to three weeks of approval; you can drive on your old license until the new one arrives.

Online renewal: fastest option for most people

If you are under 50 and your license expired within the last five years, you can renew online at oregondmv.org without visiting an office. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a payment method (debit or credit card). The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $70 for a five-year renewal.

Online renewal keeps your current photo on file, so you do not need to provide a new one. Your new license is mailed to the address on file and arrives within two to three weeks. You can legally drive on your old license until the new one arrives, so there is no gap in your driving privileges. If your address has changed, you can update it during the online renewal process.

In-person renewal at a DMV office

You must renew in person if you are 50 or older, your license expired more than five years ago, or you want a new photo. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days). If your name has changed since your last license, bring a document showing the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.

In-person renewal at a DMV office costs $70 for a five-year license. You will have your photo taken at the office. Wait times vary by location and time of day; visiting early in the morning on a weekday is usually faster than afternoon or weekend visits. Your new license is mailed to you and arrives within two to three weeks.

Oregon DMV offices are located in Portland, Salem, Eugene, Medford, Bend, and Pendleton, plus several smaller towns. You can find your nearest office and check current wait times on the Oregon DMV website. No appointment system exists, so you arrive and take a number.

Mail renewal for those who cannot visit an office

Mail renewal is available if you meet the same requirements as online renewal—you are under 50 and your license expired within the last five years. read the Driver License/Permit Renewal process (Form #735-10) from the Oregon DMV website, fill it out, and mail it with a check or money order for $70 to the address listed on the form. Include a copy of your current driver's license.

Mail renewal takes longer than online or in-person options because the form must travel to the DMV office, be processed, and then your new license must be mailed back to you. Plan for four to six weeks total. This method is useful only if you cannot access the internet or prefer not to visit an office.

What happens after you renew

Once your renewal is approved, your new license is printed and mailed to the address on file. You will not receive a confirmation email or text—the first notice you get is usually the new license itself arriving in the mail. If you do not receive your license within three weeks of renewal, contact the Oregon DMV to check the status.

Your old license remains valid for driving until your new one arrives. You do not need to turn in your old license; keep it as a backup form of identification. If your new license is lost or damaged in the mail, contact the Oregon DMV and they will reissue it.

Cost and payment methods

Oregon driver's license renewal costs $70 for a five-year license, regardless of whether you renew online, in person, or by mail. Online and in-person renewal accept debit and credit cards. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. There are no additional fees for address changes, name changes (if you provide the required document), or photo updates.

If you renew online or in person and your license is not yet expired, you can renew up to one year early. This does not cost extra and does not shorten the five-year validity of your new license—your new expiration date is five years from the date you renew, not from your old expiration date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Oregon license if I live out of state?

Yes. If you are under 50 and your license expired within five years, renew online at oregondmv.org. If you must renew in person, you will need to visit an Oregon DMV office in person or use mail renewal. Mail renewal is the most practical option for out-of-state residents.

What if my address changed since my last license?

You can update your address during online renewal without visiting an office. For in-person or mail renewal, bring or include proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days). The new address will appear on your renewed license.

Do I need a new photo when I renew?

Online and mail renewal keep your current photo. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DMV office. You can also renew online and then visit a DMV office later to request a new photo for an additional fee.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

All renewal methods result in your new license being mailed to you, which takes two to three weeks. You can drive on your old license during this time. If you do not receive it within three weeks, contact the Oregon DMV to check the status.

What if my license has been expired for more than five years?

You must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring your expired license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. The cost is the same as a standard renewal ($70 for five years).