Driving Laws in Oregon for Seniors and Older Drivers

Learn about driving restrictions and special initiatives aimed at keeping Oregon’s senior drivers and highways safe.

Oregon has almost 3 million licensed drivers, with an increasing number of those 65 and older. While the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) enforces a plethora of laws and regulations that apply to drivers of all ages and stages, the state imposes certain unique requirements and limits on senior drivers.

The Oregon state standards are discussed in further detail below, but some of them concentrate on recognizing and dealing with elderly drivers who may have become hazardous behind the wheel.

Oregon, specifically:

Drivers over the age of 50 must undergo a visual examination while renewing their licenses.
welcomes requests for the DMV to undertake dangerous driver investigations from family members and others, and requires physicians who diagnose patients with disorders that may make them risky drivers to disclose the diagnosis.

Oregon’s License Renewal Procedures for Senior Citizens

Drivers over the age of 50 who want to renew their licenses must follow certain regulations.

Time limits: Every eight years, all drivers must renew their licenses in person at a DMV location.

Vision exam: Required for in-person renewal; DMV officials will provide the test for free.

Written test: At the discretion of DMV employees, a written test may be needed.

Road test: At the discretion of DMV employees, a road test may be necessary.

License Restrictions That Might Exist

If there is good justification, the DMV may impose limits or conditions on a person’s driver’s license. The most prevalent limitation for senior drivers is the need for corrective lenses or glasses.

Other frequent regulations that the DMV may place on older drivers in Oregon include:

an extra outside mirror on a vehicle driving a vehicle equipped with automatic transmission\s no nighttime driving\s driving cars equipped with specific hand controls, and\s driving only when wearing a prosthetic aid.

In Oregon, How to Request an Unsafe Driver Investigation

The Oregon DMV will take information from family members, friends, law enforcement authorities, social service providers, and anyone who are aware of a driver’s restriction or condition that may impair his or her ability to drive safely.

A Driver Evaluation Request form should be used to submit information. Requests cannot be made only on the basis of age, illness, or general health; they must be related to particular incidents of witnessed risky driving. Requests for anonymity will not be fulfilled; however, persons submitting requests may request confidentiality.

Completed requests should be delivered to any local DMV office or sent to the DMV Driver Safety Unit, 1905 Lana Avenue NE, Salem, OR 97314.

For further information, see the DMV’s At-Risk Driver Program.

Doctors are required to report.

Oregon is one of just a few jurisdictions that requires physicians to report a patient’s diagnosis of a “severe and uncontrolled” ailment or impairment likely to impair driving ability to the DMV using a Mandatory Impairment Referral form.

More information is available at the DMV’s Medically At-Risk Driver Program for Medical Professionals.

How to Restore a Driver’s License

In Oregon, the procedures for regaining a suspended or revoked license vary depending on the circumstances. Contact one of the DMV locations located around the state for specific information.

How to Obtain Disabled Driver Parking Placards

Drivers with restricted mobility may be awarded disabled person parking badges provided a competent medical practitioner confirms the condition.

Placards and license plates are available for people who:

have severely limited mobility due to paralysis or loss of use of some of their arms or legs, have a loss of vision or acuity that cannot be corrected, or cannot walk 200 feet without an assistive device due to a chronic heart condition, emphysema, arthritis, rheumatism, ulcerative colitis, chronic bowel disorder, or other severely limiting condition.

To receive a disability placard, follow these steps:

Fill out and sign an Application for a Parking Permit for a Disabled Person.
Sign the Certificate of Disability section of the application with a licensed doctor, osteopath, podiatrist, chiropractor, naturopath, optometrist, certified physician’s assistant, or certified nurse practitioner.
Fill out the form and return it to a local DMV office or send it to: DMV Driver Issuance Unit – Parking Permits Clerk; 1905 Lana Ave NE; Salem, OR 97314.

Learn More About Oregon Senior Driving Laws

Oregon drivers may find a lot of information on the DMV website, including license and car registration requirements.

The DMV website devoted to older drivers is very interesting.