Traffic Tickets

Traffic tickets in the State of Oregon can be addressed fairly simply, or they can impact your driving privileges if you do not deal with them according to the state's requirements and laws, overseen by Oregon courts.

The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not operate a point system like other states, but instead relies on its Driver Improvement Program to promote good driving and discourage repeat violations.

Oregon motorists must participate in the Driver Improvement Program if convicted of multiple offenses including speeding, running red lights, failure to signal for lane changes, and multiple accidents.

The program is described in depth on the Oregon State Archives' Web site.

The DMV may restrict or suspend your driving privileges if you have multiple traffic tickets or accidents. The number and type of offenses or incidents, and when they were committed, are also considered in such penalties.

If you are 19 or older and you are convicted of any of the following offenses, the DMV will restrict your driving privileges for 30 days. You will be prohibited from driving between midnight and 5 a.m., except for work:

• three convictions in 18 months

• three accidents in 18 months

• a combination of three convictions or accidents in 18 months

DMV will also restrict your driving privileges for 30 days if you are convicted of any of the following offenses:

• four convictions in 24 months

• four accidents in 24 months

• a total of four convictions and/or accidents in 24 months

Regardless of current or previous suspensions, the DMV may further suspend your driving privileges for Driver Improvement Program violations or preventable accidents, or for five traffic tickets or incidents within two years.

For teenage drivers 18 and younger, the Oregon DMV restricts driving privileges for 90 days for the following:

• two convictions

• two accidents

• a combination of one conviction and one accident

You may drive to, from, or during work, but may not have any passengers other than your parents, step parents, or guardians.

Another traffic ticket or accident during the restricted driving period will result in another loss of driving privileges for another six months, even if you turn 18 during your suspension.

Each additional Driver Improvement Program violation or preventable accident will result in a six-month suspension, in addition to your current or previous penalties.

The Driver Improvement Program restrictions on teen drivers are separate from the provisional license restrictions Oregon already places on teen drivers.