What to Bring to the Oregon DMV for Your Permit Test
Don't get sent home. Here's the complete checklist — documents, fees, forms, and what to leave at home.
Before You Go
- →Make an appointment online to skip the long lines
- →Fill out the application form online ahead of time to save minutes
- →Arrive at least 15 minutes early to check in
- →Study the Oregon Driver Manual thoroughly before going
- →Double-check that all documents are originals, not copies
- →Ensure your parent or guardian knows they must come with you
- →Check the DMV website for any holiday closures
Required Documents
Proof of Identity (Primary Document)
- ✓U.S. Passport
- ✓Certified U.S. Birth Certificate
- ✓Permanent Resident Card
- ✓Certificate of Citizenship
- ✓Valid Foreign Passport with Visa and I-94
You must bring the original document; photocopies are not accepted. If your name has changed, bring the legal document proving the change (like a marriage certificate).
Proof of Social Security Number
- ✓Social Security Card
- ✓W-2 Form
- ✓Pay Stub with full SSN
- ✓SSA-1099 Form
- ✓Non-SSA-1099 Form
If you don't have a Social Security number, you must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are ineligible to get one.
Proof of Oregon Residency
Bring 2 of these:
- ✓Utility bill (electric, water, gas) in parent's name
- ✓Bank statement
- ✓School transcript or report card
- ✓Rental agreement or lease
- ✓Mortgage statement
- ✓Parent's Oregon driver license or ID card
Oregon requires two different documents to prove residency if you want a REAL ID. For a standard license, one is often enough, but bringing two is safer to avoid a second trip.
Parental / Guardian Consent (applicants under 18)
- ✓Parent or guardian must sign the application in person at the DMV
- ✓Parent/guardian must show their own valid ID
- ✓If parents are divorced, the custodial parent usually signs
- ✓Legal guardians must provide court documents proving guardianship
- ✓Foster parents must provide specific agency documentation
Both parents do not need to be there if one has legal custody, but the parent present must prove their relationship to the teen and their own identity.
Fees & Payment
$5
This $5 fee covers the application for the learner's permit. It does not cover the road test later. If you fail the written test, you may need to pay a small retest fee.
Accepted payment:
Forms
Application for Driver License or ID Card (Form 735-173)
Available at: DMV office or online at the Oregon DMV website
Do not sign the form until you are standing in front of the DMV clerk. If you sign it early, they will make you fill out a new one.
What NOT to Bring
- ✗Your cell phone (turn it off or leave it in the car)
- ✗Large backpacks or bags (storage is limited)
- ✗Friends or siblings (they can't sit in the waiting area with you)
- ✗Pets (service animals only)
- ✗Food or drinks
- ✗Your own pen (use the one provided)
- ✗Photocopies of documents (bring originals only)
At the Office
- →The written test is computer-based, so bring your reading glasses if you need them
- →You can take the test in English or Spanish
- →If you fail the written test, you can usually retake it the same day for a small fee
- →Once you pass, you'll get a temporary paper permit immediately
- →Your official plastic card will arrive in the mail within 2 weeks
Official Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division info: www.oregon.gov/odmv
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