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Oregon Traffic Laws: Points, Tickets, License Suspension and DUI

Oregon driving rules: point system, speeding points, traffic school, how to pay or fight a ticket, license suspension, DUI limits and penalties.

Quick answers for Oregon

Point system
Oregon does not use a point system. Instead, the DMV's Driver Improvement Program counts 'driver improvement offenses' (convictions for listed offenses and preventable accidents). OAR 735-072-0020; OAR 735-064-0220; ODOT DMV, Suspensions, Revocations and Cancellations
Points for speeding
No points are assigned, because Oregon has no point system. A traffic conviction counts toward the Driver Improvement Program if it is an offense listed in OAR 735-064-0220 (Table 1 or 2). ODOT DMV, Suspensions, Revocations and Cancellations
Legal BAC limit
0.08 for drivers generally. Drivers under 21 fail the implied consent test with any amount of alcohol in the blood. ORS 813.010(1); ODOT DMV, Implied Consent
First-offense DUI penalties
DUII is a Class A misdemeanor. A first conviction carries a minimum fine of $1,000 (at least $2,000 with 0.15 or more), and the court must impose at least 48 hours in jail or community service. ORS 813.010(4), (6); ORS 813.020; DMV Suspension/Revocation/Cancellation Guide (form 7484)

Last verified: 2026-10-27

Tickets and points

Point systemOregon does not use a point system. Instead, the DMV's Driver Improvement Program counts 'driver improvement offenses' (convictions for listed offenses and preventable accidents). For drivers 18 and older: three in a 24-month period leads to a 30-day restriction (no driving between midnight and 5 a.m.); five in a 24-month period leads to a 30-day suspension, with another 30-day suspension for each additional one within two years. Drivers under 18 face a 90-day work-only restriction after two and a six-month suspension after three.
Source: OAR 735-072-0020; OAR 735-064-0220; ODOT DMV, Suspensions, Revocations and Cancellations
Points for speedingNo points are assigned, because Oregon has no point system. A traffic conviction counts toward the Driver Improvement Program if it is an offense listed in OAR 735-064-0220 (Table 1 or 2).
The DMV page read did not list speeding fine amounts or say specifically whether every speeding conviction is a listed offense.
Source: ODOT DMV, Suspensions, Revocations and Cancellations
How long points lastThere are no points. The Driver Improvement Program looks at offenses within a 24-month period. Habitual-offender revocation looks back five years (three or more serious offenses, or 20 or more listed traffic violations).
How long convictions remain on the Oregon driving record was not confirmed.
Source: ODOT DMV, Suspensions, Revocations and Cancellations
Traffic schoolThe official pages read do not describe a statewide traffic school that dismisses tickets or removes points (Oregon has no points). For a first conviction of driving while using a mobile electronic device, the court may suspend the fine if the person completes an ODOT-approved distracted driving avoidance course within 120 days of sentencing and gives the court proof.
Local courts may offer their own programs; not confirmed.
Source: ORS 811.507(8)
Paying or fighting a ticketMost violation citations can be resolved online through OJD Courts ePay before the appearance date and time on the citation; doing so enters a no contest plea and waives the right to a trial. Eligible violations may be offered a fine reduction online. ePay cannot be used to plead not guilty or request a trial, for citations marked as requiring a court appearance (such as speeding over 100 mph or careless driving), or when the officer did not write a fine amount. A citation can take 10-15 days to appear in ePay. To contest, the person contacts the court listed on the citation.
Source: Oregon Judicial Department, OJD Courts ePay FAQs
Paying or looking up a ticket onlineFor tickets that list an Oregon circuit court, use the Oregon Judicial Department's OJD Courts ePay / Electronic Central Violations Bureau (eCVB) to see whether you qualify for a reduced fine (up to 50 percent, depending on the violation and your driving record) and pay online. A reduction requires a No Contest plea, and a No Contest conviction still goes on your driving record. If you want a trial, plead not guilty, or send a letter of explanation, do not use ePay; follow the citation's instructions or contact the court. Tickets from municipal/city courts or justice courts must be handled with those courts directly.
Source: Oregon Judicial Department, Got a Traffic Ticket?

License suspension

License suspensionGrounds include the Driver Improvement Program, habitual-offender revocation (five years), DUII convictions, implied consent (test refusal or failure), and failure to appear in an Oregon court. A failure-to-appear suspension lasts until the court sends proof of clearance or ten years from the offense, whichever is earlier. Oregon courts no longer request suspensions for failure to comply (failure to pay); that type was repealed for suspensions after Oct. 1, 2020. Some unpaid fines tied to these suspensions were remitted by governors' orders.
Uninsured-driver suspension rules and reinstatement fees were not confirmed.
Source: ODOT DMV, Suspensions, Revocations and Cancellations; House Bill 4210 (2020)
Hardship or restricted licenseA hardship permit is available for some suspensions and for habitual-offender revocation. After a first DUII conviction a hardship permit may be available (with a 30-day wait if the person was convicted of a separate traffic crime in the prior year); after an implied consent suspension, the waiting times are 90 days for a refusal and 30 days for a failed test. The permit is also available when the person is eligible for reinstatement but must still finish DUII treatment and use an ignition interlock.
Source: ODOT DMV, Suspensions, Revocations and Cancellations (Hardship Permits); DMV Suspension/Revocation/Cancellation Guide (form 7484)
Checking and reinstating a licenseIf your driving privilege is suspended, revoked or canceled, you must meet the reinstatement requirements for your suspension type; check your DMV2U account or call DMV Headquarters at (503) 945-5000 to find them. The reinstatement fee is $85.00, payable online at DMV2U, in person at a DMV office, or by mail (check or money order payable to "DMV") to DMV Headquarters, 1905 Lana Ave NE, Salem, OR 97314.
Source: Oregon DMV, Driver Information

DUI / DWI

Legal BAC limit0.08 for drivers generally. Drivers under 21 fail the implied consent test with any amount of alcohol in the blood.
The commercial driver limit was not confirmed from a page read.
Source: ORS 813.010(1); ODOT DMV, Implied Consent
First-offense DUI penaltiesDUII is a Class A misdemeanor. A first conviction carries a minimum fine of $1,000 (at least $2,000 with 0.15 or more), and the court must impose at least 48 hours in jail or community service. The person must complete screening and treatment, and a DUII treatment completion certificate is required before driving privileges return. The DMV suspends the license for one year for a first conviction (hardship permit possible), and an ignition interlock is required after the suspension for one, two, or five years depending on prior offenses.
The Class A misdemeanor maximum jail/fine is set in ORS chapter 161, which was not read.
Source: ORS 813.010(4), (6); ORS 813.020; DMV Suspension/Revocation/Cancellation Guide (form 7484)
When a DUI is a felonyIn Oregon, DUII is a Class C felony if the person has been convicted of DUII (or a comparable out-of-state impaired-driving offense) at least two times in the 10 years before the current offense. Once someone has been sentenced for felony DUII, the 10-year limit no longer applies, and any later DUII is a Class C felony no matter how much time has passed. Felony DUII carries a mandatory minimum of 90 days of incarceration.
Source: ORS 813.011
Refusing a breath testRefusing a breath, blood, or urine test: one-year suspension (three years if, within the prior five years, the person had a DUII conviction, a diversion, or an implied consent suspension). Failing the test: 90 days (one year with such a prior). A urine test refusal adds a consecutive suspension. The officer takes a valid Oregon license and issues a 30-day temporary permit; the driver is entitled to a hearing. A court may also impose a presumptive $650 fine for refusing a breath or urine test. Refusal is admissible as evidence in court.
Source: ORS 813.100, 813.095, 813.430, 813.132; DMV Suspension/Revocation/Cancellation Guide (form 7484)
DUI lookback periodA second DUII conviction within five years brings a three-year license suspension. Implied consent suspensions increase if there was a DUII conviction, diversion, or implied consent suspension in the prior five years. DUII becomes a Class C felony when the person has at least three prior DUII convictions in the previous ten years.
Source: ORS 813.010(5); ORS 813.430; DMV Suspension/Revocation/Cancellation Guide (form 7484)
How long a DUI stays on your recordOregon DMV's guide to driving records says serious criminal traffic offenses such as DUII may remain on the driving record permanently. The DMV's certified court print shows convictions for major traffic offenses, diversion agreements and alcohol rehab entries for 10 years. The 3-year non-employment record shows entries for at least the previous 3 years, including diversion agreements.
Source: Oregon DMV, Guide to Oregon Driving Records (Form 6665); Oregon DMV, Available DMV Records & Fees
Sobriety checkpointsNot allowed. Oregon courts ruled in 1987 that police roadblocks set up to find DUII violations without individualized suspicion are an unreasonable search under the Oregon Constitution (Nelson v. Lane County; State v. Boyanovsky). Oregon's 2023 Impaired Driving Program Assessment confirms that sobriety checkpoints are not allowed under Oregon law and recommends a constitutional amendment to permit them.
Case annotations: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/anc001.html
Source: Or. Const. Art. I, sec. 9; Nelson v. Lane County, 304 Or 97 (1987); State v. Boyanovsky, 304 Or 131 (1987); ODOT, Oregon Impaired Driving Program Assessment (April 2023)

Phones and distracted driving

Phone and texting lawsA driver may not hold a mobile electronic device or use one for any purpose while driving, including while stopped temporarily in traffic. Drivers 18 and older may use a hands-free accessory (an affirmative defense), and there are exceptions for summoning emergency help. A first offense is a Class B traffic violation (Class A if it contributes to a crash); a second within 10 years is a Class A violation; a third within 10 years is a Class B misdemeanor with a $2,000 minimum fine.
Source: ORS 811.507

Where to get help in Oregon

Traffic Tickets & DUI FAQ

How does the driver point system work in Oregon?
Oregon does not use a point system. Instead, the DMV's Driver Improvement Program counts 'driver improvement offenses' (convictions for listed offenses and preventable accidents). For drivers 18 and older: three in a 24-month period leads to a 30-day restriction (no driving between midnight and 5 a.m.); five in a 24-month period leads to a 30-day suspension, with another 30-day suspension for each additional one within two years. Drivers under 18 face a 90-day work-only restriction after two and a six-month suspension after three.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Oregon?
No points are assigned, because Oregon has no point system. A traffic conviction counts toward the Driver Improvement Program if it is an offense listed in OAR 735-064-0220 (Table 1 or 2).
How long do points stay on your license in Oregon?
There are no points. The Driver Improvement Program looks at offenses within a 24-month period. Habitual-offender revocation looks back five years (three or more serious offenses, or 20 or more listed traffic violations).
Can traffic school remove a ticket or points in Oregon?
The official pages read do not describe a statewide traffic school that dismisses tickets or removes points (Oregon has no points). For a first conviction of driving while using a mobile electronic device, the court may suspend the fine if the person completes an ODOT-approved distracted driving avoidance course within 120 days of sentencing and gives the court proof.
How do I pay or look up a traffic ticket online in Oregon?
For tickets that list an Oregon circuit court, use the Oregon Judicial Department's OJD Courts ePay / Electronic Central Violations Bureau (eCVB) to see whether you qualify for a reduced fine (up to 50 percent, depending on the violation and your driving record) and pay online. A reduction requires a No Contest plea, and a No Contest conviction still goes on your driving record. If you want a trial, plead not guilty, or send a letter of explanation, do not use ePay; follow the citation's instructions or contact the court. Tickets from municipal/city courts or justice courts must be handled with those courts directly.
How do I check if my license is suspended and get it reinstated in Oregon?
If your driving privilege is suspended, revoked or canceled, you must meet the reinstatement requirements for your suspension type; check your DMV2U account or call DMV Headquarters at (503) 945-5000 to find them. The reinstatement fee is $85.00, payable online at DMV2U, in person at a DMV office, or by mail (check or money order payable to "DMV") to DMV Headquarters, 1905 Lana Ave NE, Salem, OR 97314.
How do you pay or contest a traffic ticket in Oregon?
Most violation citations can be resolved online through OJD Courts ePay before the appearance date and time on the citation; doing so enters a no contest plea and waives the right to a trial. Eligible violations may be offered a fine reduction online. ePay cannot be used to plead not guilty or request a trial, for citations marked as requiring a court appearance (such as speeding over 100 mph or careless driving), or when the officer did not write a fine amount. A citation can take 10-15 days to appear in ePay. To contest, the person contacts the court listed on the citation.
What gets your license suspended in Oregon?
Grounds include the Driver Improvement Program, habitual-offender revocation (five years), DUII convictions, implied consent (test refusal or failure), and failure to appear in an Oregon court. A failure-to-appear suspension lasts until the court sends proof of clearance or ten years from the offense, whichever is earlier. Oregon courts no longer request suspensions for failure to comply (failure to pay); that type was repealed for suspensions after Oct. 1, 2020. Some unpaid fines tied to these suspensions were remitted by governors' orders.
What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Oregon?
0.08 for drivers generally. Drivers under 21 fail the implied consent test with any amount of alcohol in the blood.
What is the penalty for a first DUI in Oregon?
DUII is a Class A misdemeanor. A first conviction carries a minimum fine of $1,000 (at least $2,000 with 0.15 or more), and the court must impose at least 48 hours in jail or community service. The person must complete screening and treatment, and a DUII treatment completion certificate is required before driving privileges return. The DMV suspends the license for one year for a first conviction (hardship permit possible), and an ignition interlock is required after the suspension for one, two, or five years depending on prior offenses.
What happens if you refuse a breathalyzer in Oregon?
Refusing a breath, blood, or urine test: one-year suspension (three years if, within the prior five years, the person had a DUII conviction, a diversion, or an implied consent suspension). Failing the test: 90 days (one year with such a prior). A urine test refusal adds a consecutive suspension. The officer takes a valid Oregon license and issues a 30-day temporary permit; the driver is entitled to a hearing. A court may also impose a presumptive $650 fine for refusing a breath or urine test. Refusal is admissible as evidence in court.
How long does a DUI count as a prior offense in Oregon?
A second DUII conviction within five years brings a three-year license suspension. Implied consent suspensions increase if there was a DUII conviction, diversion, or implied consent suspension in the prior five years. DUII becomes a Class C felony when the person has at least three prior DUII convictions in the previous ten years.
Can you get a hardship license in Oregon?
A hardship permit is available for some suspensions and for habitual-offender revocation. After a first DUII conviction a hardship permit may be available (with a 30-day wait if the person was convicted of a separate traffic crime in the prior year); after an implied consent suspension, the waiting times are 90 days for a refusal and 30 days for a failed test. The permit is also available when the person is eligible for reinstatement but must still finish DUII treatment and use an ignition interlock.
Is it illegal to hold your phone while driving in Oregon?
A driver may not hold a mobile electronic device or use one for any purpose while driving, including while stopped temporarily in traffic. Drivers 18 and older may use a hands-free accessory (an affirmative defense), and there are exceptions for summoning emergency help. A first offense is a Class B traffic violation (Class A if it contributes to a crash); a second within 10 years is a Class A violation; a third within 10 years is a Class B misdemeanor with a $2,000 minimum fine.
Is a DUI a felony in Oregon?
In Oregon, DUII is a Class C felony if the person has been convicted of DUII (or a comparable out-of-state impaired-driving offense) at least two times in the 10 years before the current offense. Once someone has been sentenced for felony DUII, the 10-year limit no longer applies, and any later DUII is a Class C felony no matter how much time has passed. Felony DUII carries a mandatory minimum of 90 days of incarceration.
How long does a DUI stay on your record in Oregon?
Oregon DMV's guide to driving records says serious criminal traffic offenses such as DUII may remain on the driving record permanently. The DMV's certified court print shows convictions for major traffic offenses, diversion agreements and alcohol rehab entries for 10 years. The 3-year non-employment record shows entries for at least the previous 3 years, including diversion agreements.
Are DUI checkpoints legal in Oregon?
Not allowed. Oregon courts ruled in 1987 that police roadblocks set up to find DUII violations without individualized suspicion are an unreasonable search under the Oregon Constitution (Nelson v. Lane County; State v. Boyanovsky). Oregon's 2023 Impaired Driving Program Assessment confirms that sobriety checkpoints are not allowed under Oregon law and recommends a constitutional amendment to permit them.

Traffic Tickets & DUI in other states

More Oregon law

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.