Oregon DMV Hardship & Probationary Permits

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Oregon DMV

Department
- Transportation Department
- Divisions

Hardship & Probationary Permits

Hardship Permits

For some suspensions of driving privileges, you may be able to get a hardship permit that allows for driving privileges to:

Go to and from work,
Drive on the job,
Get medical treatment,
Seek employment, or
Take part in an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program.

The hardship permit allows for driving privileges only in a Non-Commercial Class C motor vehicle.
We do not have the authority to issue driving privileges for the purposes of driving a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV). If you hold a Commercial Drivers License (CDL), you may be eligible for a hardship permit, however you would be required to downgrade from a CDL to a Non-Commercial Class C drivers license.

Restoration of the CDL privilege may be available without CDL retesting, depending upon the period of the current suspension or revocation.

Uninsured Accident
If your driving privileges have been suspended for an uninsured accident or minor in possession and no other reason, you may get a hardship permit to meet basic family needs, such as taking children to and from school or daycare, getting medical treatment and buying groceries.

Probationary Permits

If your driving privileges have been revoked as a habitual offender, you may be able to get a probationary permit that allows for driving privileges to:

Go to and from work,
Drive on the job,
Seek employment, or
Take part in an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program.

Eligibility

No hardship or probationary permit is available if your driving privileges are revoked for a traffic crime or for violation of the restrictions of a hardship or probationary permit. In addition, persons suspended for either failure to appear or failure to comply are not eligible for a hardship permit.
To verify eligibility, contact DMV at (503) 945-5400.

Restrictions

Hardship and probationary permits tell you exactly when and where you may drive; it will specify hours, days and routes. If you drive outside of these restrictions, law enforcement may cite you for driving while suspended or revoked. DMV may suspend or revoke your right to apply for a hardship or probationary permit for a period of up to one year. There are specific circumstances, if cited for driving while suspended, that DMV may suspend or revoke both the right to apply for a permit and driving privileges for a period of one year.

How to Apply

Complete a Requirements for a Hardship/Probationary Permit Application.
Include all required documentation for the type of driving privileges you’re applying for (see page one of the Requirements for a Hardship/Probationary Permit Application).
Pay the application fee. (This fee is non-refundable, even if the hardship or probationary permit is denied or later is suspended or revoked.)

Mail your application, required documentation and fees to:

DMV - Driver Suspension Unit
1905 Lana Avenue NE
Salem OR 97314

Page updated: June 29, 2007

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