How to get your license back after a DUI in Oregon
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the Oregon Department of Transportation, Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Serve the DUII conviction suspension
Oregon DMV states that on a DUII conviction the license is suspended for one year, three years, or permanently revoked depending on prior DUII convictions (ORS 809.428 Schedule II: one year for a first offense); a conviction suspension is separate from any Implied Consent suspension.
What the source says
“If convicted of DUII, your license will be suspended. Suspension lengths can be one year, three years, or a permanent revocation depending on prior DUII convictions.”
- 2
Pay the $85 reinstatement fee
DMV Form 735-6826 lists the reinstatement fee first among the base-license reinstatement requirements and states it is not required if a hardship permit was granted and is valid when the suspension ends; the DMV hardship page states the reinstatement fee is $85.
What the source says
“Reinstatement fee will not be required if a hardship permit was granted and is valid when suspension ends.”
- 3
Have an SR-22 Certificate of Liability Insurance on file with DMV for three years
Form 735-6826 lists an SR-22 on file with DMV for three years after the initial filing requirement (ORS 806.075(2), state record).
What the source says
“SR-22 Certificate of Liability Insurance on file with DMV for three years after the initial filing requirement. Contact DMV for information regarding your SR-22 filing.”
- 4
Install an approved ignition interlock device for the required period after the suspension ends
DMV states that following a DUII suspension the driver must install an IID in any vehicle operated for one, two, or five years depending on prior offenses (ORS 813.602(1)(b): one year after the ending date of the suspension for a first conviction), and that driving privileges remain suspended for the installation period unless DMV receives proof of installation.
What the source says
“Following a suspension for driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII), a driver is required to install an IID in any vehicle the person operates for a period of one, two, or five years depending on prior DUII offenses.”
- 5
Submit a DUII Treatment Completion Certificate (DMV Form 735-6821)
DMV states Oregon law requires a DUII Treatment Completion Certificate before driving privileges can be regained; the Oregon Health Authority states the certificate is issued only by Division-approved DUII services providers or the Division. Form 735-6826 also accepts a circuit judge's letter verifying court-ordered treatment or the passage of 15 years since the most recent DUII conviction.
What the source says
“Following a conviction for DUII, Oregon law requires a DUII Treatment Completion Certificate before you are able to regain your driving privileges.”
- 6
At the end of the IID period, submit a 90-day No Negative Report to DMV to lift the interlock requirement
DMV states the IID requirement continues indefinitely until it receives a report showing no violation in the last 90 consecutive days of the installation period (ORS 813.635); the Oregon State Police then advise scheduling removal with the IID company after confirming with DMV that the requirement is lifted.
What the source says
“a person must submit a 90-day No Negative Report to DMV which shows that the IID did not record a violation for the last 90 consecutive days of the installation period. ... A person’s IID requirement will continue indefinitely until this 90-day report is received by DMV”
Official reinstatement page: Oregon Department of Transportation, Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV)
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $85 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | Yes · 3 years — Oregon SR-22 requirements |
| Ignition interlock | Oregon interlock rule |
| Required program | DUII Treatment Completion Certificate (DMV Form 735-6821) from an Oregon Health Authority-approved DUII services program |
| Driving during the suspension | Hardship permit |
| Re-examination | Knowledge test: required in some cases · road test: required in some cases |
Required program: DUII Treatment Completion Certificate (DMV Form 735-6821) from an Oregon Health Authority-approved DUII services program
The Oregon Health Authority states that persons convicted of DUII need DMV Form 735-6821 to reinstate driving privileges; the certificate is a four-part form issued only by Division-approved DUII Services Providers (or the Division) on successful completion of an approved DUII services program under OAR 309-019-0195. DMV's hardship page lists completion of a DUII treatment program with proof to DMV as a condition of the DUII hardship permit.
“Individuals who are convicted of a DUII will need to obtain DMV Form 735-6821 (DUII Treatment Completion Certificate) in order to reinstate their driving privileges.”
Driving during the suspension: Hardship permit
DMV states a hardship permit allows driving at specific times for reasons such as work, treatment, medical care and necessary services (no more than 12 hours per day), and is available for a DUII suspension if the person is eligible for reinstatement, must complete DUII treatment with proof to DMV, and must install an IID. Requirements listed: application, $75 application fee, $85 reinstatement fee, SR-22, employment verification, and an IID installation report. Form 735-6826 states no hardship permit is available on a second or subsequent DUII conviction, and the DMV lists no wait for a first DUII suspension.
“A hardship permit is also available if all of the following are true: You are eligible for reinstatement of driving privileges. ... You are required by law to install and use an ignition interlock device (IID) on any vehicle you drive.”
Full page: waiting period, conditions and hearing deadline for the Hardship Permit
When the interlock can be removed
Compliance-based. Under ORS 813.635(1) the IID requirement continues until the person submits to DMV a certificate from the manufacturer's representative stating the device recorded no negative report for the last 90 consecutive days of the required period; DMV then removes the requirement from the driving record. A negative report in that window extends use until a new 90-consecutive-day clean certificate is submitted (813.635(2)); disputed reports may be reviewed by the Oregon State Police (813.635(3)). Required periods: one year (first conviction), two years (second or subsequent), five years for certain combined convictions, all running from the end of the suspension (ORS 813.602). Early removal exists only for diversion participants (ORS 813.645; OSP states conviction cases have no early-removal opportunity). Removal itself is scheduled with the IID company after DMV confirms the requirement is lifted; no removal fee cap was found (OSP states pricing varies by company).
Compliance period: last 90 consecutive days of the required installation period with no negative report
“the requirement to have an ignition interlock device installed in a vehicle continues until the person submits to the Department of Transportation a certificate ... stating that the device did not record a negative report for the last 90 consecutive days of the required installation period.”
Will you have to retake the test? Re-examination in Oregon
Some states hand the license back once the conditions are met; others treat a revoked or long-withdrawn license as expired and issue a new one only after the knowledge test, the road test or a vision screening is passed again. The rules below are the licensing agency's own, one per test.
| Knowledge (written) test | Required in some cases Reinstatement after a DUII suspension turns on the reinstatement fee, the SR-22, the ignition interlock device and the treatment completion certificate; the DMV issues a replacement license when a driver is reinstating and lists no test. The Class C knowledge test is required when the previous Oregon license has been expired for over 2 years, when the driver is applying for the first time, and when DMV has concern about the driver's ability to drive safely. What the source says“You will have to apply for a new driver license, pay the original fee and take tests if your Oregon license has been expired for more than 2 years.” |
|---|---|
| Road (driving) test | Required in some cases The drive test comes with the new application once the license has been expired more than 2 years; it follows the knowledge test, is by appointment only at DMV or through a Class C testing business, and may be waived for an ODOT-approved driver education course passed within the past 2 years. An at-risk (medical) suspension can also end with passing all DMV tests. What the source says“You must pass the knowledge test before taking a drive test. Drive tests are by appointment only.” |
| Vision screening | Required in some cases Vision is tested on a new application and, at an in-person renewal, for drivers 65 or older; DMV may require its tests whenever it has concern about the driver's ability to drive safely. What the source says“If DMV has concern about your ability to drive safely, you may be required to take DMV tests to demonstrate that ability.” |
What triggers a re-test
Expiry, not the suspension or revocation itself: a license expired for more than 2 years cannot be renewed, and the driver applies for a new license, pays the original fee and takes the tests. A license expired 2 years or less is renewed, and a driver reinstating a license receives a replacement license. An at-risk suspension is the exception, where regaining privileges can include passing all DMV tests: vision, knowledge and skills.
“You are required to take the knowledge test if: ... Your previous Oregon driver license has been expired for over 2 years; or”- Testing fee
- $7 knowledge test; $45 drive test — the knowledge test fee is charged each time the test is taken, and the drive test fee applies to a test at DMV (a Class C testing business sets its own fee); the original license fee and the reinstatement fee are separate
What the source says
“The Drive Test fee at DMV is $45.00”
- Where to take it
- oregon.gov — knowledge test online at any time or at a DMV office (standby or appointment); drive test by appointment only, scheduled with DMV online or with a Class C testing business
- Official driver manual
- Oregon Driver Manual
- The rule
- ORS 807.070(2)
“This subsection does not apply to an applicant who holds a valid driver license from another jurisdiction or whose driver license from another jurisdiction is expired less than one year.”
Questions about re-testing in Oregon
- Does an Oregon DUII suspension mean retaking the knowledge or drive test?
- Not by itself. The DMV's reinstatement requirements after a DUII conviction are the reinstatement fee, the SR-22 filing, the ignition interlock device and the treatment completion certificate, and a driver reinstating a license receives a replacement license. The tests return only when the Oregon license has been expired for more than 2 years, which means applying for a new license.
- What do the tests cost?
- The knowledge test fee is $7.00 each time the test is taken, and the drive test at DMV is $45.00; a Class C testing business charges its own fee. Both are separate from the reinstatement fee.
- When can the DMV order tests without an expired license?
- The DMV states that if it has concern about a driver's ability to drive safely, the driver may be required to take DMV tests to demonstrate that ability, and that regaining privileges after an at-risk suspension can include passing all DMV tests: vision, knowledge and skills.
Reinstatement knowledge check: Oregon
Ten questions on the rules this site cites for the state — the figures the licensing agency and the statute state, with a link to where each one is stated. The order changes every time.
This is not the agency's knowledge test and does not predict it; it checks the rules cited on this site.
Questions about reinstatement in Oregon
- What does Oregon DMV require to reinstate a license after a DUII conviction?
- DMV Form 735-6826 lists four base-license reinstatement requirements: the reinstatement fee ($85, per DMV's hardship page; not required if a valid hardship permit exists when the suspension ends), an SR-22 on file for three years, an approved ignition interlock installed after the suspension ends (one year for a first conviction), and a DUII Treatment Completion Certificate from an approved program.
- When does the Oregon interlock requirement end?
- Under ORS 813.635, the requirement continues until DMV receives a certificate from the device manufacturer's representative showing no negative report during the last 90 consecutive days of the required period; DMV states the requirement continues indefinitely until this 90-day No Negative Report is received. The Oregon State Police state conviction cases have no early-removal option; diversion drivers may petition the court.
- Can an Oregon driver get a hardship permit during a DUII suspension?
- DMV states a hardship permit allows driving at specific times for reasons such as work or medical treatment and is available where the person is eligible for reinstatement, must complete DUII treatment, and must install an IID. Listed requirements include a $75 application fee, the $85 reinstatement fee, an SR-22, and an IID installation report. Form 735-6826 states no hardship permit is available on a second or subsequent DUII conviction.
Sources
- Oregon DMV Form 735-6826 - DUII Convictions: Suspensions, Hardship Permits and Reinstatements (rev. 5-25)
- Oregon DMV - Suspensions, Revocations and Cancellations (DUII and Ignition Interlock Device sections)
- Oregon DMV - Hardship Permits
- Oregon Health Authority - DUII Treatment Certificate
- Oregon State Police - Ignition Interlock Device Program (Driver FAQs: No Negative Report, removal)
- ORS chapter 813, incl. ORS 813.602 (IID requirement), 813.635 (negative reports; 90-day certificate), 813.645 (diversion early vacation) - Oregon Legislature
- ORS chapter 809, incl. ORS 809.428 (suspension schedules) - Oregon Legislature