Oregon Drivers Prep: Other Important Information | Neurodiverse Inclusive Solutions
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Topic 20 of 20

Other Important Information

The final piece: how to apply for your driving privilege, what insurance you're required to carry, and your responsibilities if you're ever in a collision.

How to Apply

A Class C non-commercial driving privilege allows you to drive a vehicle, such as a passenger car, moped, autocycle, van, or pickup, of not more than 26,000 pounds. To qualify, you must:

  • Be at least 15 to apply for an instruction permit, or 16 to apply for a license.
  • Complete an electronic application. If under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign it, or provide a specific form if they cannot come with you.
  • Present proof of identity, date of birth, and residence address.
  • Provide your Social Security Number or electronically certify that you do not have one.
  • If under 18 and applying for the first time, a parent or guardian must certify you're enrolled in school, or you must present a diploma or GED.
  • Successfully complete the required knowledge, vision, and drive tests, and pay applicable fees.
  • Have your photo taken. Hats, glasses, face paint, or contact lenses that change eye appearance are not allowed.
  • Not be suspended, revoked, or canceled in Oregon or any other state, and surrender any other driving privilege or ID card.
If you are under 18 and applying for a driver license, you must have held an instruction permit for at least 6 months, and have 100 hours of supervised driving experience (or 50 hours plus an approved traffic safety course). The supervising driver must be at least 21 with a valid license for at least 3 years.

Proof of Identity and Address

You must present acceptable, original or certified proof of identity and date of birth. Common examples include a U.S. birth certificate, a valid or recently expired U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, a Permanent Resident Card, or a valid Oregon or out-of-state driver license, permit, or ID card.

You must also present one document proving your current address, such as certification from someone at the same address, mail from a business, school, or government agency with your name on it, or a utility bill, mortgage document, or property tax statement.

Additional Services

Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation: You can sign up on the donor registry when issued your driving privilege. DMV adds a heart symbol to the front and "Anatomical Donor" to the back of your card.

Veteran Designation: Veterans may request this designation by presenting proof of honorable discharge (Form DD214 or DD215).

Deaf or Hard of Hearing Designation: You may request this be added to your license or permit; no proof is required, and it is visible to law enforcement through your DMV record.

Emergency Contact Information: You can add one or two emergency contacts to your DMV record at no cost, for use if you are killed, seriously injured, or unconscious. Contacts must be 18 or older; if you are under 18, at least one contact must be your parent or legal guardian.

Mandatory Insurance

Oregon law requires every driver to insure their vehicle by at least these minimum amounts:

  • Bodily Injury and Property Damage: $25,000 per collision for one person; $50,000 per collision for two or more people; $20,000 per collision for property damage to others.
  • Personal Injury Protection: $15,000 per person for reasonable and necessary expenses within two years of the injury.
  • Uninsured Motorist Coverage: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per collision for bodily injury.

Traffic Collisions

The common term for crashes, wrecks, and collisions is "accidents." However, the word "accident" is misleading. A collision caused by distraction, fatigue, or a failure to drive defensively is a preventable collision, not an accident.

If you are involved in a collision, you must:

  • Stop. If there are no injuries and vehicles can be safely moved, move them out of travel lanes.
  • Give reasonable assistance to injured persons. Never move an injured person carelessly.
  • Exchange information: your name, address, driver license number, license plate number, and insurance information. If someone is killed or unconscious, remain at the scene until police arrive.
  • File a collision report within 72 hours if damage to any vehicle or property exceeds $2,500, a vehicle is towed due to the collision, or there is injury or death. A police report does not replace this requirement.
If you hit an unoccupied vehicle and can't find the owner, leave a note with your name, address, and a brief description of what happened. Do the same for damaged property that isn't a vehicle.

Loss of Driving Privileges

To keep your driving privilege, you must maintain a good driving record. Some reasons you can lose your driving privilege include:

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or inhalants.
  • Failing to report a vehicle collision.
  • Driving uninsured.
  • Too many traffic convictions.
  • Failure to comply with court fines.

This is not a complete list.

Important Contact Information

  • DMV Website: OregonDMV.com
  • DMV outside Portland area: 503-945-5000
  • DMV within Portland area: 503-299-9999
  • TDD (deaf and hard of hearing): Statewide Relay 711
  • Report Drunk Drivers: 911
  • Road Information: TripCheck.com
Check Your Understanding

Other Important Information: Knowledge Check

5 questions. Answer them all, then check your answers. You can change your answers and try again as many times as you want.

1. If you are under 18 applying for a driver license, you must have held a permit for at least:

2. Oregon's minimum Bodily Injury liability coverage for one person is at least:

3. If you are involved in a collision, you must report it to DMV within 72 hours if:

4. A police report at the scene of a collision:

5. Which of these can cause you to lose your driving privilege?

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