Quick Answer
Yes — any Oregon resident can get a standard Class C license without proving legal presence, under House Bill 2015. To get one:
- Prove your name and date of birth with a passport (valid or expired up to 5 years) or a DMV-approved consulate card, and show proof of your Oregon address.
- Give your SSN if you have one, or sign a statement that you've never been assigned one.
- Pass the knowledge test ($7), vision test, and drive test ($45), and pay $64 for an 8-year license.
The standard license is not REAL ID, so it can't be used to board domestic flights.
Can You Get a Driver's License in Oregon Without an SSN?
Yes. Oregon's Equal Access to Roads Act, House Bill 2015, was passed in 2019, and on January 1, 2021 the DMV began issuing standard licenses without proof of legal presence. Applicants still prove identity, Oregon residency, and driving skill. Only the optional REAL ID requires proof of lawful status.
The 2019 law reversed a 2008 rule that had required proof of legal presence. A 2013 attempt, Senate Bill 833, created 4-year driver cards, but voters rejected it through Measure 88 in November 2014, so it never took effect. The current rules are on the Oregon DMV's driver information page.
Do You Need an ITIN for an Oregon License?
No. Oregon asks for a Social Security number only if you've been assigned one. If you haven't, you sign an electronic statement at the DMV saying you have never been assigned an SSN. State law (ORS 807.021) allows that statement in place of a number, so an ITIN is not required.
The SSN rule is in ORS chapter 807. An ITIN is still useful for filing taxes and banking — see how to apply for an ITIN.
Which IDs and Address Proofs Does Oregon Accept?
Oregon requires proof of your full legal name and date of birth plus proof of your current Oregon residence address. For a standard license, the DMV accepts U.S. or foreign passports that are valid or expired no more than 5 years, DMV-approved consulate cards, and certain U.S. immigration documents.
- 1Identity and date of birth — a foreign passport (valid or expired no more than 5 years) or a consulate card on the DMV's approved list.
- 2Residence address — a document such as a mortgage statement, property tax statement, or utility statement dated within 6 months. A mailing address can be added but can't replace your residence address.
- 3SSN, or the signed statement that you've never been assigned one.
A REAL ID needs original documents, 2 proofs of residence from different sources, and proof of lawful status, which is why applicants without status choose the standard license.
How Much Does an Oregon Standard License Cost?
An original 8-year Oregon Class C license costs $64. The knowledge test costs $7 and the drive test costs $45, charged for each attempt whether you pass or fail. A REAL ID costs $30 more, at $94, and requires proof of lawful status.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Original Class C license — 8 years | $64 |
| Knowledge test (per attempt) | $7 |
| Drive test (per attempt) | $45 |
| REAL ID option (requires lawful status) | $94 |
Fees come from the Oregon DMV; confirm current amounts before you go.
How Do You Apply in Oregon Step by Step?
Applying for an Oregon standard license takes 4 steps: gather your identity and residence documents, visit a DMV office and give your SSN or sign the no-SSN statement, pass the knowledge and vision tests, and pass the drive test. The DMV waives the drive test in some cases, such as when you hold a valid out-of-state license.
- Step 1: Collect your passport or approved consulate card and a proof of your Oregon residence address.
- Step 2: At a DMV office, provide your SSN or sign the statement that you have never been assigned one.
- Step 3: Pass the knowledge test ($7) and the vision test.
- Step 4: Pass the drive test ($45) unless it's waived, then pay $64 for your 8-year license.
What Can You Do With an Oregon Standard License?
An Oregon standard license lets you drive legally and buy auto insurance. It isn't accepted for federal purposes such as boarding a commercial U.S. flight or entering certain federal facilities; only the REAL ID, marked with a star in the upper right corner, is. It also doesn't prove immigration status or work authorization.
- Drive legally anywhere in Oregon and buy auto insurance — see car insurance without an SSN
- For air travel, carry your foreign passport or another TSA-accepted ID; see flying with an ITIN
Read more about the REAL ID option on the Oregon DMV's REAL ID page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an expired passport in Oregon?
Yes, for a standard license, if it expired no more than 5 years ago. A REAL ID requires unexpired original documents.
Do I get my test fee back if I fail?
No. Oregon charges the $7 knowledge test fee and the $45 drive test fee for each attempt, whether you pass or fail.
How long is an Oregon license valid?
Original licenses are issued for 8 years. People the DMV considers temporary residents may receive a limited-term license instead.
What happened to Oregon's driver card law?
Senate Bill 833 of 2013 would have created 4-year driver cards, but voters rejected it with Measure 88 in November 2014. House Bill 2015 in 2019 restored access through the standard license.
Can I fly with an Oregon standard license?
No. Only the REAL ID, marked with a star, is accepted at TSA checkpoints. Use your foreign passport or another TSA-accepted ID to fly.
Which Nearby States Also Issue Licenses Without an SSN?
Oregon is one of 19 states, plus Washington, D.C., that license drivers without proof of lawful status. On the West Coast, Washington and California do as well, and Nevada and Utah issue driving cards, while Idaho does not. Rules differ, so check each state's own requirements before you move.
Compare every state's law, documents, and limits in the full driver's license guide →