Drivers License and Insurance Information:
Oregon Law & Out-of-State and International Students

Oregon law requires all persons driving in Oregon to have a valid (current) driver license, whether the license is issued by the State of Oregon, another state, or another country. Regardless of where you are from, you must obey Oregon driving laws while driving in Oregon.

Non-residents may apply for an Oregon driver license at any time after moving to Oregon. After living in this state for a little as six months, you could be required to get an Oregon driver license to drive in Oregon and might not be driving legally on an out-of-state driver license or international license, even if it remains current and valid in your home state or country.

You are required to have an Oregon license to drive in Oregon if:

• You have continuously remained in this state for more than 6 months; or
• You have enrolled your child in public school in Oregon and don't pay tuition for your child; or
• You declare yourself as a resident in order to obtain resident rates for some other license or privilege (for example, by applying for resident tuition).
  

Students from some states, including Alaska, have a financial interest in maintaining non-resident/Alaska resident status. For those students, obtaining an Oregon driver license could be counterproductive to maintaining their home state residency.

If you are stopped for a traffic violation and present an out-of-state license or international license to the officer, you are in danger of getting a ticket for driving without an Oregon license. Frequently, the citing officer only asks when you came to Oregon. He or she may neglect to inquire about when you last left the state during a school break; and some officers may have an incomplete understanding of the law. If you get a ticket like this you may have a defense if you can show:

(1) you have not been in Oregon continuously for the six consecutive months prior to the citation; and
(2) you have not enrolled your children in Oregon public schools; and
(3) you have not made application for in-state tuition.

This information is not intended to provide legal advice. Any incidental fee-paying University of Oregon student who has questions about their driver's license may call ASUO Legal Services at 541-346-4273 to arrange an appointment.

Information disseminated in this website does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship. This page is for information purposes only. For legal advice, contact an attorney licensed in your state.