Suspended License in Oregon

Check Your Driver's License Status

Whenever you need or want to check the status of your driver’s license, you can order a driving record report. This record will spell out if your driver’s license is currently valid. Should your license have been revoked or suspended, the report will indicate that according to what’s on record at the DMV. This report will also show points against your license and, in some cases, information on any accidents you have had.

Notification of Suspension

The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may suspend or revoke driving privileges for infractions, incidents, or failure to meet insurance requirements.

In the event of suspension or revocation, a notice will be sent to the address on file with the DMV. Any license holder whose license has been suspended must turn in the license at a DMV location at the time the penalty begins.

Drivers under suspension or revocation may not drive any motor vehicle on any public highways, roads, or premises.

Reasons for Suspensions

There are a number of reasons for a license to be suspended or revoked in Oregon. Among the most common are:

• Failure to comply with law enforcement or court order

• Failure to appear in court

• Driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII)

Other infractions may also prompt Oregon license suspension or revocation, including what is known as implied consent. This refers to the obligation to agree to breath, blood, or urine testing if requested by law enforcement.

The Oregon DMV may be ordered by the court to suspend driving privileges in the case of failure to appear in court or pay a fine for a violation in Oregon or Washington.

Failure to pay child support is another reason the DMV may suspend your driver's license. The Support Enforcement Division or a District Attorney may order this action.

Driving privileges remain suspended until the DMV has proof that the court case in question has been cleared by the court, or five years has passed, whichever is first.

Proof of clearance from the court includes:

• Official court clearance

• Electronically transmitted clearance sent from court to DMV

Hardship and Probationary Cases

Although suspension prohibits driving, there are exceptions for hardship cases with a hardship or probationary permit (for habitual offenders). The exceptions could allow you to drive for:

• Transportation to and from work

• Driving related to employment

• Medical treatment

• Seeking employment

• Participation in alcohol or drug treatment

Hardship permits allow for driving only noncommercial vehicles and must be granted by the DMV or courts. To find out if you are eligible, contact DMV at (503) 945-5400.

You are not eligible if your license was revoked for a traffic crime or for violating a hardship permit. If your license was suspended for failure to appear or failure to comply, you are not eligible either.

If your suspension is for an uninsured accident or a minor in possession of alcohol, a hardship permit may be issued for basic needs, such as transporting children to and from school or day care, grocery shopping, or seeking medical treatment.

Oregon may issue a probationary permit if you have lost your license as a habitual offender. The probationary permit allows you to drive a car for:

• Transportation to and from work

• Driving related to employment

• Seeking employment

• Participation in alcohol or drug treatment

For all of the above cases, you can apply by completing the application, paying the nonrefundable $50 application fee, and attaching all documents required, as explained on page one of the application.

Mail your application, payment, and documentation to:

• DMV Driver Suspension Unit

• 1905 Lana Ave NE

• Salem, OR 97314

Reinstatement

When your suspension time is up, you will have to pay a $75 reinstatement fee to get your license back. You might also have to pay a fee for replacement, renewal, or original issuance fee. There might also be court costs involved, depending on your situation.

To find out what your requirements are for getting your license back, contact the DMV at (503) 945-5400, email them using their online form, or write to them at:

• DMV Headquarters

• 1905 Lana Ave NE

• Salem, OR 97314

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