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  2. Teen Education - Oregon

What is the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and why does it matter to me?

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Oregon's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program

Oregon's GDL program is a three-stage system designed to give teens the time and experience they need to become safe, confident drivers before earning full driving privileges.

Stage 1 — Provisional Instruction Permit (age 15+)

Teens must hold their instruction permit for at least 6 months before applying for a provisional license. During this time, they may not drive unless supervised by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and seated beside them, and that supervising driver must have held their license for at least three years for the practice hours to count. Teens must also refrain from using any mobile electronic device, even hands-free, while driving.

Stage 2 — Provisional Driver License (age 16+)

To advance, teens must complete their permit hold period and accumulate supervised driving hours - 50 hours if they've completed an ODOT-approved driver education course, or 100 hours if they have not. Completing an ODOT-approved course also unlocks an important benefit: The DMV may waive the drive test for students aged 15–17 who successfully complete an approved program, e.g Drivony's Driver's Ed Lab. Once the provisional license is issued, restrictions apply for up to one year:

  • Passenger limits: During the first 6 months, the teen may not carry any passenger under 20 who is not an immediate family member. During the second 6 months, no more than three non-family passengers under 20 are permitted.
  • Nighttime curfew: Teens with a provisional license cannot drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m. during the first year, unless accompanied by a licensed driver age 25 or older, or traveling between home and work or school.

All passenger and night driving restrictions end after one year or at age 18, whichever comes first.

Stage 3 — Full Unrestricted License (age 18)

At age 18, GDL restrictions are automatically lifted and the provisional license becomes a full, unrestricted Oregon driver's license.
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