Oregon driving law, answered
Every answer here comes from 2026-2027 Oregon Driver Manual and, where the manual is silent, the Oregon Revised Statutes: ORS Chapter 801: General Provisions and Definitions for Oregon Vehicle Code, ORS Chapter 803: Vehicle Title and Registration, ORS Chapter 806: Financial Responsibility Law, ORS Chapter 807: Driving Privileges and Identification Cards, ORS Chapter 809: Refusal, Suspension, Cancellation and Revocation; Impoundment, ORS Chapter 810: Road Authority; Courts; Police; Other Enforcement Officials, ORS Chapter 811: Rules of the Road for Drivers, ORS Chapter 813: Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, ORS Chapter 814: Pedestrians; Passengers; Livestock; Motorcycles; Bicycles; Motor Assisted Scooters, ORS Chapter 815: Vehicle Equipment Generally, ORS Chapter 816: Vehicle Equipment: Lights, ORS Chapter 153, Sections 153.012 to 153.021: Violations and Fines, ORS Chapter 163, Sections 163.149 and 163.196: Offenses Against Persons, ORS Chapter 471, Section 471.430: Purchase or possession of alcoholic beverages by person under 21, with the page or the section it is in.
Statutes fetched on 8 October 2026; manuals fetched on 14 September 2026. How the answers are made
How far from a fire hydrant must you park?
You may not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, or within 15 feet of the driveway entrance to a fire station on the same side of the street, or within 75 feet on the opposite side. The distances are what a fire crew needs to reach a hydrant or swing an engine out, measured rather than estimated.
Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a crosswalk at an intersection must you park?
You may not park within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. A car parked to the corner hides a pedestrian stepping off it from every driver approaching the crossing.
Within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you park in or near an intersection?
You cannot stop or park in a traffic lane, within an intersection, on the road side of a parked vehicle, on a sidewalk, crosswalk, bicycle lane or path, on railroad or light rail tracks, on a bridge, overpass or tunnel, or between the separate roads of a divided highway. Each of these is somewhere a stopped vehicle forces somebody else out of their proper place and into traffic.
On the road side of any parked vehicle (double parking).
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a stop sign or traffic signal must you park?
You may not park within 50 feet of a traffic signal or sign if your vehicle hides it from view, nor within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad or light rail crossing. A parked vehicle that hides a stop sign takes the sign away for everybody behind it.
Within 50 feet of a traffic signal or sign if your vehicle hides the signal or sign from view.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a railroad crossing must you park?
You may not park within 50 feet of a traffic signal or sign if your vehicle hides it from view, nor within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad or light rail crossing. A parked vehicle that hides a stop sign takes the sign away for everybody behind it.
Within 50 feet of a traffic signal or sign if your vehicle hides the signal or sign from view.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a fire station driveway must you park?
You may not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, or within 15 feet of the driveway entrance to a fire station on the same side of the street, or within 75 feet on the opposite side. The distances are what a fire crew needs to reach a hydrant or swing an engine out, measured rather than estimated.
Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How close to the curb must you park?
Park in the direction vehicles are moving in the lane, parallel to and no more than 12 inches from the curb, or as close as possible to the edge of the shoulder where there is no curb; where parking areas are marked your wheels must be within the marked space. A car sitting proud of the curb takes width from the lane beside it, and one facing traffic has to cross the road against it to leave.
Park parallel to and no more than 12 inches from the curb.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
Flashing amber lights warn that a school bus is about to stop to load or unload children, so prepare to stop; when the red lights flash you must stop before reaching the bus and remain stopped until the driver turns them off. Amber is the warning and red is the order, and the children crossing are in front of a bus that hides them from you.
Flashing amber lights warn traffic that the bus is about to stop on the road to load or unload children. Prepare to stop. When the red lights flash, stop before reaching the bus and remain stopped until the driver turns off the flashing red lights.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What must you do when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?
On a road with two or more lanes in your direction, approaching any motor vehicle stopped with lights flashing, you must change lanes so you do not drive next to it, or slow by at least 5 mph under the posted speed limit, allowing as much room as safely possible. It covers any vehicle with lights flashing, not just emergency ones, because whoever is beside it is standing in a live lane.
you must change lanes so you do not drive next to the stopped vehicle. You may also slow down by at least 5 miles per hour under the posted speed limit.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far behind a fire truck answering an alarm may you follow?
After an emergency vehicle passes, you must stay at least 500 feet behind it. Following it through the traffic it cleared puts you into an intersection where cross traffic is just starting to move again.
After the emergency vehicle passes, you must stay at least 500 feet behind the vehicle.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you turn on your headlights?
Headlights must be turned on from sunset to sunrise, and also at any time conditions make it difficult to see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead. The second half is the one that catches drivers out — fog at noon triggers it just as darkness does.
Lights also must be on at any time conditions make it difficult to see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?
If using high beams you must dim them when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet, and dim them when following another vehicle within 350 feet. The following distance is shorter because the glare reaches the other driver through a mirror, which is enough to blind them just the same.
If using your high beams, you must dim your lights when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet. Dim your lights when following another vehicle within 350 feet.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must wear a seat belt?
Safety belt use is mandatory in Oregon for all drivers and passengers in all available seating positions, and a properly worn belt reduces the chance of injury in a collision. All available seating positions is the phrase that matters: it is not the front seats, and it is not the driver's choice to make for anyone.
Safety belt use is mandatory in Oregon for all drivers and passengers in all available seating positions.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must a child ride in a car seat?
Child passengers must be restrained in approved child safety seats until they are 8 years of age or at least 4 feet 9 inches in height, and the adult lap and shoulder belt fits them correctly. An adult belt on a small child crosses the neck and abdomen rather than the shoulder and hips, which is where it does the damage.
Child passengers must be restrained in approved child safety seats until they are 8 years of age or at least 4 feet 9 inches in height, and the adult lap and shoulder belt fits them correctly.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the legal blood alcohol limit for adult drivers?
A driver under 21 fails the test with a blood alcohol concentration of any amount, because Oregon has a zero tolerance law; a driver 21 or over fails at 0.08 percent or more. Any amount means any — there is no small figure that is safe for a driver under 21, and the two thresholds are entirely different rules.
If you are under 21, you will fail the test if you have a blood alcohol concentration of any amount. Oregon has a zero tolerance law.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21?
A driver under 21 fails the test with a blood alcohol concentration of any amount, because Oregon has a zero tolerance law; a driver 21 or over fails at 0.08 percent or more. Any amount means any — there is no small figure that is safe for a driver under 21, and the two thresholds are entirely different rules.
If you are under 21, you will fail the test if you have a blood alcohol concentration of any amount. Oregon has a zero tolerance law.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What happens if you refuse a breath or blood alcohol test?
Refusing a breath, blood or urine test may bring a fine and suspension of your driving privileges. Refusal costs the license whether or not anything would have been found, which is why it is rarely the lesser option.
If you refuse to take a test, you may receive a fine, and/or your driving privileges could be suspended.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you use a handheld phone while driving?
Drivers 18 or older must use a hands-free accessory to use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device, and the accessory must only require minimal use of a finger to activate or deactivate it. Minimal use of a finger is the whole standard — anything that needs looking at or holding is not hands-free however it is marketed.
Drivers 18 years of age or older must use a hands-free accessory to use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device. The hands-free accessory must only require minimal use of a finger to activate or deactivate the device.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far before a turn must you signal?
If your vehicle is moving in traffic, use your turn signal at least 100 feet before the turn or lane change. A signal given as you begin the turn tells the driver behind what you are already doing, which is too late to be useful.
If your vehicle is moving in traffic, use your turn signal at least 100 feet before the turn or lane change.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn right on a red light?
After a complete stop at a red signal, and unless a sign or officer says otherwise, you may turn right when entering a two-way road, and may turn right or left when entering a one-way road in the direction that road runs. The left turn on red is the one drivers forget Oregon allows, and it works only onto a one-way road going the way you are turning.
When entering a two-way road, you may turn right.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn left on a red light onto a one-way street?
Turning left from a one-way road onto another one-way road, you approach in the lane nearest the left curb and turn into the nearest left lane, and you may make this turn against a red light after stopping and yielding to traffic and pedestrians. Both roads run one way, so the turn never crosses opposing traffic — which is the only reason a left on red is allowed at all.
You may make this turn against a red light after stopping and yielding to traffic and pedestrians.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Where are U-turns not allowed?
U-turns are prohibited at intersections controlled by a traffic signal unless a sign permits the turn, and between intersections in a city. A signaled intersection releases traffic from several directions at once, and a U-turn crosses all of them at the slowest speed of any maneuver.
Intersections controlled by a traffic signal, unless a sign permits the turn.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit on a residential street when no sign is posted?
The speed limit is 25 mph in residential districts, in public parks, and on ocean shores where vehicles are permitted. The ocean shore is the one drivers forget is a road at all, and it carries the same limit as the street outside a house.
25 Miles Per Hour • In residential districts. • In public parks. • On ocean shores, if vehicles are permitted.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit on a highway outside town when no sign is posted?
The speed limit is 55 mph on all roads and highways not meeting any other definition, unless otherwise posted. This is the default the law falls back to when no other category fits, which is why an unsigned rural road is not an open road.
55 Miles Per Hour • On all roads and highways not meeting any other definition unless otherwise posted.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit in a school zone?
The speed limit is 20 mph in any business district and within a school speed zone. Both are places where people cross mid-block rather than at corners, and the limit is set for the person who steps out rather than for the traffic.
20 Miles Per Hour • In any business district. • Within a school speed zone.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When may you pass another vehicle on the right?
You may pass on the right only where the vehicle you are passing is making or has signaled a left turn, or where the road has two or more lanes in your direction and that vehicle is in the left lane. Other drivers do not expect to be passed on the right, so the two cases where it is allowed are the two where they have shown you what they are doing.
The vehicle you are passing is making or has signaled for a left turn.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you wear headphones while driving?
Being able to hear matters when driving — a change in tire sound warns of road surface changes, a change in engine sound warns of a problem, and sound can tell you a vehicle is in your blind spot — so do not use headphones that may reduce your hearing. Hearing is the sense that covers the directions you cannot look at, including the emergency vehicle behind you.
Do not use headphones that may reduce your hearing.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you have an open container of alcohol in the car?
Oregon's open container law makes it illegal to have an open bottle or other container with alcohol in it while you are in a vehicle on any road; a container counts as open if its seal is broken, even if it has been reclosed, and any open containers should be in the trunk. Reclosing the bottle does not reseal it, which is the misunderstanding the law names explicitly.
A container is considered to be open if its seal is broken, even if it has been reclosed.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long must you hold a learner's permit before a license?
An applicant under 18 applying for a driver license must have held a permit for at least 6 months. The months are the point of the permit. Supervised practice is what the drive test is checking for, and there is no way to sit it early.
You must have held a permit for at least 6 months if you are under 18 years of age and applying for a driver license.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What hours may a provisional driver not drive?
(b) For the first year after issuance of the license, the holder of the license may not operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 12 midnight and 5 a.m. except when: (A) The holder is driving between the holder’s home and place of employment; (B) The holder is driving between the holder’s home and a school event for which no other transportation is available; (C) The holder is driving for employment purposes; or (D) The holder is accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 25 years of age.
Oregon law, ORS 807.122(1)(b)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How many passengers may a new provisional driver carry?
(a) Except as provided in subsections (2) to (4) of this section, for the first six months after issuance of the license, the holder of the license may not operate a motor vehicle that is carrying a passenger under 20 years of age who is not a member of the holder’s immediate family. For the second six months, the holder of the license may not operate a motor vehicle that is carrying more than three passengers who are under 20 years of age and who are not members of the holder’s immediate family.
Oregon law, ORS 807.122(1)(a)
As of 8 Oct 2026
What is the fine for a first drunk-driving conviction?
(b) For a person’s first conviction if the current offense was committed while operating a vehicle other than a bicycle, a minimum of $1,000.
Oregon law, ORS 813.010(6)(b)
As of 8 Oct 2026
When must you install an ignition interlock after a drunk-driving conviction?
(1) At the end of the suspension or revocation resulting from a conviction for driving while under the influence of intoxicants in violation of ORS 813.010 or of a municipal ordinance, the Department of Transportation shall suspend the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges of a person who has not submitted proof to the department that an ignition interlock device has been installed in any vehicle operated by the person or who tampers with an ignition interlock device after it has been installed.
Oregon law, ORS 813.620(1)
As of 8 Oct 2026
Who must wear a protective helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle?
(1) A person commits the offense of failure of a motorcycle operator to wear a motorcycle helmet if the person operates a motorcycle and is not wearing a motorcycle helmet.
Oregon law, ORS 814.269(1)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How much light must a tinted side or rear window let through?
(2) Tinting material may be applied to the side and rear windows of a motor vehicle if: (a) The tinting material has a light transmittance of 50 percent or more; (b) The tinting material has a light reflectance of 13 percent or less; and (c) The total light transmittance through the window with the tinting material applied is 35 percent or more.
Oregon law, ORS 815.221(2)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How much distance must you leave when passing a bicycle?
At speeds greater than 35 mph you may only pass a person on a bicycle traveling in your lane if you leave enough distance to prevent contact with them if they were to fall. The measure is the rider's full height, because that is the space they occupy if a pothole puts them down as you pass.
At speeds greater than 35 mph, you may only pass a person on a bicycle traveling in your lane if you leave enough distance to prevent contact with the person riding a bicycle if they were to fall.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Must a vehicle driving slower than other traffic keep to the right lane?
A driver going slower than the normal speed of traffic must use the right lane or drive as close as possible to the right curb or edge of the road, unless preparing to turn left. Slow traffic in a left lane forces everybody else to pass on the right, which is where the drivers who are not expecting it are.
If you drive slower than the normal speed of traffic, you must use the right lane or drive as closely as possible to the right curb or edge of the road, unless you are preparing to make a left turn.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury or death of one person and property damage?
Oregon requires bodily injury and property damage cover of at least $25,000 per collision for one person, $50,000 per collision for two or more persons, and $20,000 per collision for damage to the property of others. These are minimums rather than recommendations, and a collision costing more than them is paid out of your own pocket.
Bodily Injury and Property Damage: $25,000 per collision for one person; $50,000 per collision for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons; and $20,000 per collision for damage to the property of others.
As of 14 Sep 2026
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