Oregon Code § 807.240·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Hardship permit; fees; rules.
The Department of Transportation shall provide for issuance of hardship driver
permits in a manner consistent with this section. A hardship driver permit
grants the driving privileges provided in this section or under the permit.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a hardship driver permit is
subject to the fees, provisions, conditions, prohibitions and penalties
applicable to a license. The following apply to a hardship driver permit:
(1) The
department may issue a permit to a person:
(a) Whose driving
privileges under the vehicle code have been suspended, or revoked under ORS
809.600 as a habitual offender; or
(b)(A) Who is
eligible for reinstatement of driving privileges;
(B) Who is
required to provide proof of treatment to the department under ORS 813.022; and
(C) Who is
required by law to install and use an ignition interlock device on any vehicle
the person operates.
(2) Except as
provided in this section and ORS 813.520, the department may reinstate the
privilege to operate a motor vehicle of any person whose license to operate a
motor vehicle has been suspended, or revoked under ORS 809.600 as a habitual
offender, by issuing the person a hardship permit.
(3) To qualify
for a hardship permit, a person must do all of the following:
(a) The person
must submit to the department an application for the permit that demonstrates
the persons need for the permit.
(b) The person
must present satisfactory evidence, as determined by the department by rule:
(A) That the
person must operate a motor vehicle as a requisite of the persons occupation
or employment;
(B) That the
person must operate a motor vehicle to seek employment or to get to or from a
place of employment;
(C) That the
person must operate a motor vehicle to get to or from an alcohol or drug
treatment or rehabilitation program;
(D) That the
person or a member of the persons immediate family requires medical treatment
on a regular basis and that the person must operate a motor vehicle in order
that the treatment may be obtained;
(E) That the
person must operate a motor vehicle to get to or from a gambling addiction
treatment program; or
(F) That the
person must operate a motor vehicle to provide necessary services to the person
or to a member of the persons family. The department shall determine by rule
what constitutes necessary services for purposes of this subparagraph. The rule
shall include as necessary services, but need not be limited to, grocery
shopping, driving the person or the persons children to school, driving to
medical appointments and caring for elderly family members.
(c) If the person
is applying for a permit because the person or a member of the persons
immediate family requires medical treatment on a regular basis, the person must
present, in addition to any evidence required by the department under paragraph
(b) of this subsection, a statement signed by a licensed physician or licensed
nurse practitioner that indicates that the person or a member of the persons
immediate family requires medical treatment on a regular basis.
(d) The person
must show that the person is not incompetent to drive nor a habitual
incompetent, reckless or criminally negligent driver as established by the
persons driving record in this or any other jurisdiction.
(e) The person
must make a future responsibility filing.
(f) The person
must submit any other information the department may require for purposes of
determining whether the person qualifies under this section and ORS 813.520.
(4) If the
department finds that the person meets the requirements of this section and any
applicable requirements under ORS 813.520, the department may issue the person
a hardship permit, valid for the duration of the suspension or revocation or
for a shorter period of time established by the department unless sooner
suspended or revoked under this section. If the department issues the permit
for a period shorter than the suspension or revocation period, renewal of the
permit shall be on such terms and conditions as the department may require. The
permit:
(a) Shall limit
the holder to operation of a motor vehicle only during specified times.
(b) May bear
other reasonable limitations relating to the hardship permit or the operation
of a motor vehicle that the department deems proper or necessary. The
limitations may include any limitation, condition or requirement. Violation of
a limitation is punishable as provided by ORS 811.175 or 811.182.
(5) The
department, upon receiving satisfactory evidence of any violation of the
limitations of a permit issued under this section, may suspend or revoke the
hardship permit.
(6) The fee
charged for application or issuance of a hardship driver permit is the hardship
driver permit application fee under ORS 807.370. The department may not refund
the fee if the application is denied or if the driver permit is suspended or
rev