Driving Oregon’s roadways, with their pristine scenery, is always a pleasure. However, if you’ve been speeding across those roadways, the experience may not have been so pleasant if you were pulled over and issued a ticket. Tickets and fender benders happen to the best of us, but these mishaps can remain on our driving records where they can impact our insurance rates and even our jobs for some time. If you have an Oregon driver’s license, it’s important to check your driving record periodically for errors and to see what your insurance provider and possibly even your employer are seeing when they access your driving history.
Why Check Your Oregon Driving Record?
Drivers should obtain a copy of their Oregon driving record to ensure that all information on the report is correct. Checking this record is also a good way to spot identity theft. If you’re concerned about your insurance rates, a glimpse at your driving record may help you understand the rates you’re being charged. Sometimes an employer will require an employee to present their driving record, especially if driving is part of the job. Some drivers need to access their reports for a court case.
What Does Your Oregon Driving Record Contain?
Your Oregon driving record contains personal information such as your name, date of birth, and address. It will also list traffic citations, DUIs, accidents, or any license suspensions you may have had. Oregon offers different types of driving records. Your insurance provider generally views your three-year driving record.
Types of Oregon Driving Records
Oregon offers various types of driving records. For this reason, ordering one may be confusing. For instance, the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles offers a non-employment driving record and an open-ended non-employment driving record. Other types include an employment driving record, certified court print, and suspension package.
The non-employment driving record ($1.50 fee) includes your driving history for the past three years. It includes traffic accidents and any convictions that are not associated with your employment driving record. The open-ended non-employment record ($1.50 fee) is not limited to three years but contains similar information. In Oregon, this is the report that most insurers access. The employment driving record ($2.00) contains your driving history as an employee. It contains work-related citations and accidents for the last three years.
The certified court print ($3.00 fee) contains a more comprehensive report of your driving. It lists convictions, CDL incidents, and suspensions. Convictions for minor accidents may stay on this record for at least five years. Accidents and alcohol-related incidents remain on your record. The suspension package ($11.50 fee) is generally required for court proceedings in the state. It includes a certified court print and any other documents that me be applicable to a court proceeding.
How to Obtain Your Oregon Driving Record
You can obtain your Oregon driving record by mail or in person. To obtain your driving record by mail, you must fill out form 735-7266 and state the type of driving record you wish to order. You will need to list your name, date of birth, and driver’s license number. You will need to include a check or money order for the fees associated with your request. Mail your form and fees to:
Oregon DMV / Record Services
1905 Lana Avenue NE
Salem, Oregon, 97314
The DMV will mail your driving record to you or you may pick it up at a DMV. If you choose the mail option, you must include your personal information (i.e. social security number) so the DMV can verify your identity. Be sure to list the address you want the record mailed to.
To order your driving record in person, you must bring proof of your identity and fill out form 735-7266. You will also need to pay your fees at the time you make your request.
A few reminders:
- If you have had a driver’s license in another state, you may not be used to the various types of driving records that Oregon offers.
- If you need more specific information about the state’s record types, you can visit the nearest DMV for further clarification.
- If you need to access someone else’s Oregon driving record, you must provide notarized permission from the driver.
Check Your Record for Errors
Although errors are not common on Oregon driving records, they do occur. Be sure that your record accurately reflects your driving history. If the report does contain mistakes, contact the DMV right away so it can begin the process of correction.
Checking for errors is vital to ensure that your driving privileges are still intact. And to make sure you can read the points on your record, we’re going to give you a quick overview of Oregon’s Driver Improvement Program. Here, the more tickets you get, the more likely that you’ll get your license suspended.
Oregon’s Driver Improvement Program
Under Oregon’s Driver Improvement Program, those who are under 18 years old, who get two traffic violations or accidents within two years, will get restricted driving privileges for 90 days. Under this restriction, you are only allowed to drive if you have your parents or guardian with you as passengers. If you receive a third offense, you’ll face the likelihood of your license being suspended for at least six months.
Meanwhile, if you are older than 18 years old, getting 3 traffic tickets or accidents in 1 year and six months will mean your license will be restricted for 30 days. Under this restriction, you are not allowed to drive between 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. unless you need to go to work.
Getting another ticket or being involved in an accident in the following 6 months will mean license suspension for 30 days. And if another accident occurs in the next two years, another 30 days of license suspension per conviction will take place.
First-time offenders in Oregon have the option to complete a traffic school course to prevent them from adding points to their driving record. However, make sure you have the approval of the judge before you enroll.
You can take this course in person or online. But I recommend taking it online for your convenience. It’s also a better choice if you are looking for a more affordable option.
Looking for a reliable, state-approved, online traffic school?
State-approved online traffic schools such as iDriveSafely and GoToTrafficSchool offer some of the best courses out there. You check them out by visiting their website. If you want more options, you can read my review on the best Oregon online traffic schools for a full list of my recommended courses.