Ticket Fines and Penalties in Oregon

Oregon Traffic Ticket Fines and Costs

OR traffic ticket fines vary by offense, but each offense has a minimum and maximum fine.

Check your citation for a fine amount. This amount is what the state refers to as a “base fine.” The base fine is somewhere in between your offense’s minimum and maximum fine. Your judge can alter this fine if you appear in court.

For information more specific to your offense, contact your court.

Court Costs and Other Surcharges

Court costs vary by court.

Some courts will provide information about court costs before your arraignment or traffic ticket hearing date; some will refer you to the law enforcement agency that issued your citation.

DUII Surcharges

DUII surcharges and other related costs depend on the offense number.

For example, a first offense carries:

• A fine of between $1,000 and $6,250, depending on the BAC.
• Court fees and assessments as high as or higher than $400.
• A $150 license reinstatement fee.

These costs are in addition to penalties like license suspension or revocation, probation, and incarceration.

Learn more at OR DUII, or refer to the Oregon Driver Manual.

Auto Insurance Rate Increase

Although they’re not court-mandated, higher auto insurance rates often follow traffic ticket convictions.

Usually, increases don’t take effect until it’s policy renewal time, meaning you have some time to compare car insurance rates online and find a more affordable policy.

Oregon Traffic Ticket Penalties

The DMV will suspend or revoke your driver’s license for certain moving and non-moving offenses.

OR Driver’s License Suspension, Revocation, and Cancellation

License Suspension: This is a temporary loss of driving privileges. It may last a specific amount of time, until you meet reinstatement requirements, or both.

License Revocation: Revocations can last temporarily or permanently, depending on the offense. Similar to suspensions, you may have to wait a certain time period, until you meet reinstatement requirements, or both before you can get your license back.

License Cancellation: Typically, cancellations are reserved for instances when a driver provides false information in order to obtain a license, or the court or DMV determines a person is no longer fit to drive.

Most suspensions and revocations are related to an accumulation of violations (see below), or violations unrelated to traffic convictions, such as driving without insurance, getting in trouble at school, and failing to pay child support.

However, DUII-related moving violations almost always result in license suspension or revocation, depending on the offense number.

Learn more about the ways you can lose your driving privileges in the “Traffic Violations and License Suspensions” section of the Oregon Driver Manual.

Violation Accumulation Penalties

Oregon doesn’t use a point system, but the state does record violations on your driving record. You’ll receive penalties accordingly.

The DMV will restrict your driving privileges for 30 days if you get―

• Three traffic convictions,
• Three accidents, or
• Any combination that totals three

―in an 18-month period. Restrictions include no driving between midnight and 5 a.m., unless for work.

The DMV will suspend your driving privileges for 30 days if you get―

• Four traffic convictions,
• Four accidents, or
• Any combination that totals four

―in a 24-month period.

Habitual Offender Revocations

The state will revoke your license for five years if you are convicted of―

• Three or more traffic crimes, or
• 20 or more traffic violations

―within a five-year period.

You may be eligible for a hardship license. Refer to OR Suspended License for more information.

Penalties for Drivers Younger than 18

Violations

The DMV will restrict your driving privileges for 90 days if you get:

• Two traffic convictions,
• Two accidents, or
• Any combination that totals two.

These restrictions, which are in addition to the provisional license restrictions you already have, include:

• Only driving for work purposes.
• Having no passengers except a parent, step-parent, or guardian.

If you commit a third offense or have a third accident, the DMV will suspend your license for six months, and it will remain suspended even if you turn 18 during the suspension period.

DUII

You’ll lose your license until you turn 18 or until you become eligible for reinstatement under the terms of your suspension, whichever occurs later.

Penalties for Oregon Commercial Drivers

All CDL drivers must notify their employers within 30 days of receiving traffic convictions.

The following penalties are set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:

Major Offenses

You’ll get a one-year license suspension for any of the following major offenses:

• Operating any vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
• Operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with a BAC of 0.04%.
• Refusing to submit to a sobriety test.
• Leaving the scene of an accident.
• Committing a felony with the vehicle.
• Operating a CMV with a suspended, revoked, or canceled CDL.
• Negligent driving resulting in fatality.

Serious Offenses

The following are considered serious offenses:

• Speeding 15 miles or more over the limit.
• Reckless driving.
• Changing lanes improperly.
• Following too closely behind another vehicle.
• Operating a CMV without having a CDL.
• Operating a CMV without having your CDL in your possession.
• Operating a CMV without the proper CDL endorsement.
• Violating a state law of texting while driving.

Note that:

• Second offenses result in 60-day suspensions.
• Third offenses result in 120-day suspensions.

CDL Disqualifications

If you violate a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting―

• Nonhazardous materials, or
• Hazardous materials required to be placarded, or while driving a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers

―you can lose your license for 180 days to one year.

For more information, check the FMCSA’s Rules and Regulations and the Oregon Commercial Driver Manual.