Driving Tests

Oregon Instruction Permit Rules: Age, Supervisor and How to Get One

informational·how to guide·Published September 30, 2026

How old must you be for an instruction permit in Oregon, and who can ride with you?

You must be at least 15 years old to get an Oregon instruction permit. When you drive, a person with a valid license who is at least 21 years old must sit in the seat beside you. The original permit costs $30, plus $30 for a REAL ID, and it is valid for 2 years. Under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign, unless you are married or emancipated.

Where the Oregon permit rules come from

The rules come from the Oregon DMV page for the Provisional Instruction Permit, Oregon law (ORS chapter 807) and the 2026-2027 Oregon Driver Manual. The Oregon DMV pages for adult permits, parent consent, fees, online testing and REAL ID, a 2025 DMV news release and ORS 811.507 add the details. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with Oregon DMV (oregon.gov/odot/dmv) before you drive.

Oregon instruction permit at a glance

Oregon instruction permit at a glance
Question	Answer
Minimum age	15 years old
Name of the permit	Provisional Instruction Permit (ages 15 to 17). Class C instruction permit (age 18 and older)
Who must ride with you	A person with a valid license, at least 21 years old, in the seat beside you
Knowledge test	35 multiple-choice questions, 28 correct to pass
Phone use under 18	Not allowed, not even hands-free
How long it lasts	2 years (24 months). DMV does not send a reminder
Before a teen license	At least 6 months on the permit

How old do you have to be to get an instruction permit in Oregon?

You must be at least 15. Oregon law (ORS 807.280) sets that minimum age for a Class C instruction permit. A license needs more: you can apply for a provisional driver license at 16 at the earliest.

DMV uses two names. Drivers 15, 16 and 17 get a Provisional Instruction Permit. Drivers 18 and older get a Class C instruction permit.

How to get an Oregon instruction permit under 18

1
Get your parent or legal guardian ready
If you are under 18 and not married or emancipated, a parent or legal guardian must consent. A parent or guardian who cannot sign at a DMV office can use the Parent/Guardian certification form.
2
Prove your school status
For a first-time applicant under 18, a parent or legal guardian certifies that you are enrolled in or attending school. If you are no longer in school, show a high school diploma or GED.
3
Gather your documents
Bring proof of identity and proof of your address. Give your Social Security number, or certify that you do not have one.
4
Pass the knowledge test and the vision test
The knowledge test has 35 multiple-choice questions, and you need 28 correct answers. If you wear glasses or contacts for the vision test, you must wear them when you drive.
5
Pay the fee and have your photo taken
Pay the issuance fee. Eyeglasses, sunglasses and hats are not allowed in the photo; a religious head covering is allowed.
6
Wait for the permit in the mail
DMV gives you an interim card as proof of your driving privileges. The permit comes by mail to the address you gave. It does not go to a forwarding address if you move.

Who can supervise you on an Oregon permit?

A person with a valid license, at least 21 years old, must sit in the seat beside you every time you drive. You must also have the permit with you.

A teen who plans to get a provisional driver license has one more rule: for practice hours to count toward the 50 or 100 hour requirement, the supervising driver must have held a license for at least 3 years. The practice question on who can supervise permit hours tests this rule.

Which permit rules apply to you?

You are 15, 16 or 17

You need a Provisional Instruction Permit, a parent or legal guardian signature and proof of school status.

You are under 18 and married or emancipated

You do not need parent consent. Bring documents that show you are married, or the court judgment or decree of emancipation.

You are 18 or older

You get a Class C instruction permit. Turn in any license, permit or ID card from Oregon, another state or another country. Your driving privileges cannot be suspended, cancelled or revoked in Oregon or any other state.

Can you take the Oregon knowledge test online?

Yes. You can take it online at any time on a laptop or desktop computer with a keyboard, mouse and webcam, or at a DMV office on standby or by appointment. Online, a tester under 18 needs a proctor to register and watch the test. The DMV online testing page sets the proctor rules: age 21, a Social Security number, and no more than five DMV tests proctored in the past 12 months.

Online or in an office, you can take the test twice in 24 hours. After four online tries, you test at an office. The guide to the Oregon DMV knowledge test covers the test topics.

What does an Oregon instruction permit cost?

The original Class C instruction permit costs $30 and is valid for 2 years. The renewal costs $26, and a replacement costs $30. A REAL ID adds $30 each time you get an original, renewal or replacement permit. The knowledge test is a separate $7 each time you take it.

Example for a first permit, if you pass the knowledge test on the first try: $30 + $7 = $37 for a standard permit, or $30 + $30 + $7 = $67 for a REAL ID permit. Amounts are in U.S. dollars.

How long is an Oregon permit valid, and how do you renew it?

The permit is valid for 2 years, and DMV does not send a notice when it is about to expire. To get another permit, apply again and surrender the old one. You do not need to take the knowledge or vision test again unless the permit has been expired for about a year or longer. Near that point, ask Oregon DMV before you go.

Phone rule for permit holders under 18

A permit holder under 18 cannot use a mobile device at all while driving, including talking on a phone and texting. Hands-free accessories are not allowed.
Oregon law (ORS 811.507) gives the hands-free defense only to a driver who is 18 or older. The practice question on phone use for a driver under 18 tests this rule.

After the permit: what a teen needs for a license

At 16 or 17 you must have held an instruction permit for at least 6 months before you apply for a provisional driver license. You also need 100 supervised driving hours, or 50 supervised hours plus an ODOT-approved traffic safety education course. The guide to Oregon provisional driver license rules covers the next steps and the license limits.

Key takeaways

You can get an Oregon instruction permit at 15. Under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign, and you need a school certification, diploma or GED.
Your supervisor must have a valid license, be at least 21 and sit beside you. For hours that count toward a teen license, the supervisor needs 3 years of licensing.
The original permit costs $30 ($60 with REAL ID) and lasts 2 years. DMV sends no reminder before it expires.
Under 18, you cannot use a mobile device at all while you drive, even hands-free.
Next step: practice on the free Oregon Class C passenger permit practice test.

Oregon instruction permit: common questions

Can a parent cancel my permit consent in Oregon?

Yes. Until you turn 18, the parent or guardian who signed your application can ask DMV to cancel your permit. They use the Request to Cancel Driving Privileges by Parent or Legal Guardian form. You can apply again when a parent or guardian signs a new application, when you turn 18, or when you marry or become emancipated.

Can my 20-year-old sibling ride with me on a permit?

No. The person beside you must be at least 21 and have a valid license. A sibling who is 20 does not qualify, even with a license. Pick a supervisor who is 21 or older, and licensed for 3 years if you want the hours to count toward a provisional license.

Do adults need an instruction permit in Oregon?

Yes, if you want to practice driving before the drive test. You must hold a valid permit or license to practice with a licensed driver or in a training course. An adult permit costs $30 and lasts 2 years, and an adult who tests online does not need a proctor.

Does an out-of-state permit count in Oregon?

Yes. Time on a permit from another state counts toward the 6 months that a teen must hold a permit before applying for an Oregon provisional driver license. When you apply for the Oregon permit, you must surrender any other driving privilege or ID card, including the out-of-state permit.

Do I need a REAL ID instruction permit in Oregon?

It is your choice. Oregon issues both standard and REAL ID permits. Since May 7, 2025, everyone 18 and older needs a REAL ID or another accepted ID, such as a passport, to board a commercial U.S. flight. The REAL ID option adds $30. To change a standard permit to a REAL ID card later, visit a DMV office.