Recommended Reading

To be a driver in Oregon, the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires a license, qualifications of which are described in the Oregon Driver Manual. The handbook is also available in Spanish.

Printed copies of all versions are available at DMV locations, and you can access online audio versions for the English and Spanish versions.

If you want to get your driver's license, before you take the DMV's required knowledge tests, you should study the driver handbook. It will help you familiarize yourself with Oregon driving and vehicle rules.

The Oregon Driver Manual outlines the rules of the road and the requirements for obtaining an instructional permit, Class C provisional license, or a regular Class C license, which is required for other permits or endorsements, including motorcycle and commercial driving.

There is also a Motorcycle & Moped Operator's Manual and a Commercial Driver Manual if you intend to drive these types of vehicles.

The driving handbook outlines what qualifies as proper identification, proof of age and address, and the documents the DMV requires in order to get your license or permit. It covers a variety of other topics, including:

• Name and address changes

• Renewals and license replacements

• Oregon organ donor program

• Voter Registration

• Examinations

Of course, the primary focus of the Oregon Driver Manual is driving in Oregon, including sections on:

• Highway signs, signals and markings

• Rules of the road, which is broken into:

• Speed and stopping distance

• Lane travel, changes, rights of way

• Signals and turns

• Yielding and general rights of way, including bicycles and pedestrians

• Overtaking and passing

• Stopping, standing, and parking

• Additional rules of the road, including:

• Slow-moving vehicles

• Funeral processions

• Tow vehicles

• Oversized vehicles and loads, pilot vehicles

• Animals

• Littering

• Guns

It also covers defensive driving; health and fitness for driving; avoiding collisions; and driving on the freeways, at night, and in foul weather, which can be common to most parts of Oregon.

Finally, other important topics in the handbook are seat belts and child seat safety and potential distractions such as eating, changing clothes, and mobile phones. The Oregon DMV also warns that car stereo music that can be heard 50 feet or more away from a vehicle is illegal.

The DMV stresses the importance sharing the road with other drivers, and using courtesy and calm to improve safety for all drivers. It also covers insurance requirements and what to do in the case of an accident.

Taking the Tests

The state's Knowledge and Safe Driving Practices tests are closed book tests, with foreign language translation dictionary allowed with permission. You cannot take notes during a test, unless it is for marking answers on a paper test.

Sample questions for a practice test are shown here and also provided in the Oregon Driver Manual.

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