Oregon

Highway safety laws differ from state to state. The summary information here can be used to compare laws in specific categories. We monitor legislative changes and update this information as needed.

DUI/DWI
BAC defined as illegal per se 0.08
Administrative license suspension 1st offense? 90 days
Restore driving privileges during suspension? after 30 days1
RESTRICTIONS ON CELLPHONE USE AND TEXTING
Hand-held ban all drivers
Young drivers all cellphone ban drivers younger than 18
Texting ban all drivers
Enforcement primary
MAXIMUM POSTED SPEED LIMITS
Rural interstates (mph) 65;
Urban interstates (mph) 55
Other limited access roads (mph) 55
Other roads (mph) 55
MAXIMUM POSTED SPEED LIMITS FOR TRUCKS
Rural interstates (mph) 55
YOUNG DRIVER LICENSING SYSTEMS
To get a learners license you must:
Have a minimum age of 15
YOUNG DRIVER LICENSING SYSTEMS
Before getting a license or restricted license you must:
Have a mandatory holding period of 6 months
Have a minimum supervised driving time of 50 hours2(100 hours without driver education)
Have a minimum age of 162
YOUNG DRIVER LICENSING SYSTEMS
Restrictions during intermediate or restricted license stage:
Nighttime restrictions midnight-5 a.m.
Passenger restrictions

(family members excepted unless otherwise noted)		 first 6 months–no passengers younger than 20; second 6 months–no more than 3 passengers younger than 20
YOUNG DRIVER LICENSING SYSTEMS
Minimum age at which restrictions may be lifted:
Nighttime restrictions 17
Passenger restrictions 17
REGULAR LICENSING RENEWAL CYCLE
Length of regular renewal cycle 8 years
OLDER DRIVER SPECIAL LICENSING PROVISIONS
Accelerated renewal none
Other provisions vision screening is required every 8 years for drivers 50 and older
CHILD RESTRAINTS
Must be in child restraint younger than 1 year or 20 pounds or less must be in a rear facing child safety seat; 7 or younger: 40 pounds or less must be in a child safety seat; more than 40 pounds but 4 feet and 9 inches or less must be in a safety system that elevates the child so that an adult seat belt fits properly
Adult safety belt permissible taller than 4 feet and 9 inches; 8 through 15
Maximum fine 1st offense $110
Seating preference law states no preference for rear seat
Children not covered all children covered
SAFETY BELT USE
Initial effective date 12/07/90
Standard enforcement? yes; effective 12/07/90
Who is covered? In what seats? 16+ years in all seats
Maximum fine 1st offense $110
Can nonuse decrease monetary awards for injuries in lawsuits? yes
MOTORCYCLE HELMET USE
Motorcyclists covered all riders
BICYCLE HELMET USE
Covered by state law 15 and younger
PICKUP TRUCKS: RESTRICTIONS ON RIDING IN CARGO AREAS
Restrictions on riding in cargo areas yes
Gaps in coverage people 18 and older; minors secured with a safety belt or harness; parades; minors seated on the floor of the open bed of a motor vehicle in which all available passenger seats are occupied by minors, the tailgate is securely closed and the minor is being transported either in the course and scope of employment or between a hunting camp and hunting site or between hunting sites during hunting season and the minor has a hunting license
LOW-SPEED VEHICLES
On which roads are low-speed vehicles permitted? roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less
What is the top speed permissible for low-speed vehicles? 25 mph
MEDIUM-SPEED VEHICLES
On which roads are medium-speed vehicles permitted? roads with a posted limit of 45 mph or less
What is the top speed permissible for medium-speed vehicles? 35 mph
AUTOMATED ENFORCEMENT: RED LIGHT CAMERAS
Statewide or only specified locations? cities statewide
Violations red light
Citations issued to whom? registered owner or driver, if identifiable
Who is liable? registered owner
What image is taken? photographs; digital images
Traditional enforcement penalty $300 maximum fine
Auto enforcement penalties/record penalty same as for traditional citation
AUTOMATED ENFORCEMENT: SPEED CAMERAS
Statewide or only specified locations? Albany, Beaverton, Bend, Eugene, Gladstone, Medford, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Portland, and Tigard (may not be used for more than four hours per day in any one location)
Violations speed
Citations issued to whom? registered owner or driver, if identifiable
Who is liable? registered owner
What image is taken? photographs; digital images
Traditional enforcement penalty $300 maximum fine
Auto enforcement penalties/record penalty same as for traditional citation

1Drivers usually must demonstrate special hardship to justify restoring privileges during suspension, and then privileges often are restricted.

2In Oregon, driver education is required of license applicants younger than 18. However, it is waived for applicants who certify an additional 50 hours of supervised driving. The night and passenger restrictions do not apply to the holder of a provisional driver license who is 18 or older.