Quick Guide To
Oregon Hardship Permits
To be eligible for a hardship permit you must have had a valid Oregon driver license at the time your suspension went into effect. Out of state drivers are not eligible.
- Oregon Hardship Permit Application: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/forms/dmv/6044fill.pdf
- Hardship permit eligibility: A waiting period might apply. Consult the Suspension Guides.
- When to apply: It is best to apply several weeks before you are eligible for a hardship permit. This gives DMV time to process your application so you can obtain the hardship permit as close as possible to your first eligible day.
- Costs: $50.00 application fee + $75.00 reinstatement fee = $125.00 total.
- Not Applicable for:
- License revocations.
- Out-of-state drivers.
- A second DUII conviction within five years.
- License Type: Only for Class C (non-commercial) licenses. ORS 807.240(8)(c) Hardship permits are not available for commercial drivers. (ORS 807.240(2))
- Permitted Driving:
- Employment-related needs (to/from/during work)
- Employer-required training/education
- Court ordered alcohol/drug treatment
- Job hunting (up to 120 days)
- Gambling addiction treatment
- Regular medical treatments for self or immediate family
- Weekly grocery shopping
- School or childcare transport
- Elderly family care
- Limitations:
- No more than 12 hours of driving daily, with exceptions for driving to treatment classes.
- Job hunting permits are capped at 120 days.
- Requirements:
- SR-22 liability insurance
- 3 years if convicted of a crime resulting in a driver license suspension.
- Only necessary for the length of the hardship permit if the suspension is from failing or refusing a chemical test following a DUII arrest.
- An ignition interlock device must be installed for DUII convictions and for most DUII Diversion program participants.
- Employer verification if you drive on the job.
- If self-employed you must provide your business license and tax statement or other sufficient proof of self-employment.
- SR-22 liability insurance
- Exclusions:
- Individuals revoked for traffic crimes.
- Suspensions due to traffic ticket defaults, such as missing a court appearance or failure to make court-ordered payments.
- Three-year suspensions for a second DUII within five years.