How many questions are on the DMV written test?

The Oregon Class C knowledge test has 35 multiple-choice questions. You must answer 28 correctly (80%) to pass. There is no time limit. The test is available on a touch-screen monitor at any DMV office or online at DMV2U.Oregon.gov.

What topics are covered on the DMV knowledge test?

The test covers road signs and shapes, traffic signals, right-of-way rules, DUII and alcohol laws, school bus rules, speed limits, parking regulations, lane markings, and safe driving practices from the 2026-2027 Oregon Driver Manual.

What is the passing score for the DMV written test?

You must answer 28 of 35 questions correctly (80%) to pass the Oregon Class C knowledge test. Road signs are part of the same test, not a separate exam. There is no time limit, and you can take the test at any DMV office or online at DMV2U.Oregon.gov.

What is the minimum age for a Oregon Learner License?

You must be at least 15 years old to apply for an Oregon instruction permit and 16 to apply for a license. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the electronic application. Under-18 applicants must hold the permit at least 6 months and complete 100 hours of supervised driving (or 50 hours plus an ODOT-approved traffic safety education course). The supervisor must be at least 21 with at least 3 years of valid driving privileges.

How long does the DMV written test take?

The Oregon DMV knowledge test has 35 multiple-choice questions and is untimed. Road signs are included in the same test. You need 28 correct (80%) to pass. Online attempts are limited to two in a 24-hour period and four total before you must test in a DMV office.

What is the BAC limit for drivers in Oregon?

Oregon uses DUII (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants). For drivers 21 and over, Oregon law presumes impairment at 0.08% BAC — but you can still be arrested for DUII below that level if alcohol or drugs affect your driving. Drivers under 21 are Zero Tolerance: any measurable BAC fails the test. By driving on Oregon roads you have agreed to take a breath, blood, or urine test under the Implied Consent law — refusing brings a fine and license suspension on top of any DUII penalty.

Does Oregon have a cell phone / distracted driving law?

Drivers 18 and over must use a hands-free accessory that requires only minimal use of a finger to use any cell phone or mobile electronic device while driving. Drivers under 18 may NOT use a cell phone or mobile electronic device while driving — even hands-free. It is also illegal to have a TV, tablet, or other video display visible to the driver, or to play a sound system loud enough to be heard 50 feet away from your vehicle.

📖 DMV Study Guide

Everything important from the 2026-2027 Oregon Driver Manual — organized for the exam

⭐

Memorize these numbers first. Oregon test questions are frequently built around specific distances, speeds, BAC levels, and time periods. These come up constantly.

Speed Limits

HIGH FREQUENCY

25 mph

Default residential district / public park / ocean shore (page 19). 20 mph in business districts. 15 mph in alleys and narrow residential.

20 mph

School speed zone — applies 7 a.m.–5 p.m. on a school day for "School Hours" signs, and any time children are present at, walking in, or about to enter a crosswalk (page 49).

55 mph

Default Oregon highway limit unless posted otherwise (page 19). Interstate limits vary — always obey the posted sign.

Basic Rule

The Basic Rule applies on every Oregon road at all times: drive at a speed that is reasonable and cautious for existing conditions, even if slower than posted (page 20).

189 ft

Stopping distance at 40 mph (reaction + braking distance) per the manual (page 29). At 30 mph: 123 ft. At 50 mph: 268 ft.

359 ft

Stopping distance at 60 mph — greater than the length of a football field (page 29).

📏

Critical Distances & Clearances

HIGH FREQUENCY

10 ft

No parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant (page 70).

20 ft

No parking within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Fire-station driveway: 15 ft same side / 75 ft opposite (page 71).

50 ft

No parking within 50 feet of a traffic signal or sign if your vehicle would hide it from view (page 71).

50 ft

No parking within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad or light rail crossing (page 71).

12 in

Parallel park — your wheels must be no more than 12 inches from the curb (page 68).

Both headlights

After passing, return to your lane only when you can see BOTH headlights of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror (page 31).

500 / 350 ft

Dim high beams within 500 ft of an oncoming vehicle, and within 350 ft when following another vehicle (page 76).

1,000 ft

Headlights required from sunset to sunrise, and any time conditions make it difficult to see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead. Driving with parking lights only is illegal (page 76).

100 ft

Use your turn signal at least 100 feet before any turn or lane change (page 38). Hand-and-arm signals only in daylight when visible at 1,000 ft.

All seats

Safety belt use is mandatory in Oregon for ALL drivers and passengers in every available seating position. Never put the shoulder strap under your arm or behind your back (page 73).

Over 35 mph

When passing a bicyclist in your lane at speeds greater than 35 mph, leave enough distance to prevent contact if the rider falls into your lane (page 50).

All lanes

School bus with flashing red lights: ALL traffic stops on undivided roads — including roads with a painted median or center turn lane. Exception: divided highway with an unpaved median or barrier (only opposite side continues) (page 55).

🍺

DUII & Alcohol Numbers

ALWAYS ON TEST

0.08%

Drivers age 21+ are presumed impaired at 0.08% BAC. You can still be arrested for DUII below 0.08% if alcohol or drugs affect your driving (page 82).

Any %

Under 21: Zero Tolerance. Any measurable BAC fails the breath/blood/urine test (page 83).

DUII

Oregon term: DUII = Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. Covers alcohol, marijuana, prescription, OTC, or any substance that impairs your mental or physical ability to drive (page 82).

Refusal

Implied Consent: by driving you've agreed to take a breath, blood, or urine test. Refusing brings a fine and license suspension (page 83).

Trunk only

Open Container law: open alcohol bottles must be in the trunk. A re-closed bottle whose seal was broken still counts as open (page 83).

🎓

Teen / GDL Numbers

ON EXAM

Age 15

Minimum age for an Oregon instruction permit. Parent/guardian must sign the electronic application if under 18 (page 89).

Age 16

Minimum age for an Oregon Class C driver license. Under-18 applicants must have held the instruction permit at least 6 months (page 90).

Under 18

NO cell phone or mobile electronic device while driving — even hands-free. Turn it off or put it in the back seat (page 80).

No curfew

Oregon does not have a separate Provisional/Intermediate license phase — there is no statewide curfew or non-family passenger cap on Class C teen drivers. The under-18 cell-phone ban does apply.

100 hrs

Under-18 supervised driving: 100 hours, OR 50 hours plus an ODOT-approved traffic safety education course. Supervisor must be 21+ with 3 years of valid driving (page 90).

Age 18

Under-18 cell-phone ban and external-rider rule lift at age 18. Drivers 18+ must use a hands-free accessory for any cell-phone use (page 80).

⏱️

Following Distance & Time Rules

ON EXAM

2 sec

Pick a fixed object the vehicle ahead passes (sign or pole), then count "one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand." If you reach it before two seconds, you are following too closely (page 27).

4 sec+

Use 4 seconds or more above 30 mph. Increase further behind motorcycles/bicycles, in rain/snow/fog, when towing, or near work zones (page 27).

359 ft

Stopping distance at 60 mph (reaction + braking) is greater than the length of a football field (page 29). At 20: 69 ft · 30: 123 ft · 40: 189 ft · 50: 268 ft.

Hands-free

Drivers 18+ must use a hands-free accessory that requires only minimal use of a finger. Drivers under 18: NO cell-phone or mobile electronic device — even hands-free. Sound systems audible 50 ft from the vehicle are illegal (page 80).

🚦

Road signs are tested heavily. Know each sign's shape, color, and meaning. The real test often shows a sign description and asks what it means.

🔴

Sign Shapes — Each Shape Has One Meaning

ALWAYS TESTED

Shape	Meaning	Example
Octagon (8-sided)	STOP — always and only	Stop sign
Triangle (pointing down)	YIELD — give right of way	Yield sign
Diamond	WARNING — hazard ahead	Curve, pedestrian, deer
Pentagon (5-sided)	SCHOOL ZONE	School crossing
Pennant (triangle right)	NO PASSING ZONE	No-passing pennant
Round (circle)	RAILROAD CROSSING advance warning	RR crossing sign
Rectangle (vertical)	REGULATORY — rules you must follow	Speed limit, turn restrictions
Rectangle (horizontal)	GUIDE or INFORMATION	Street name, mile marker
X-shaped crossbuck	RAILROAD CROSSING — treat like yield	Railroad crossbuck

🎨

Sign Colors — Color Tells You the Category

ALWAYS TESTED

Color	Category	What It Means
Red	Regulatory — STOP / PROHIBIT	Stop, yield, do not enter, wrong way, no-turn circles
Yellow	WARNING	General hazard warnings — curves, hills, intersections, animals
Orange	WORK ZONE / CONSTRUCTION	Construction ahead, road crew, slow down and drive with care. Oregon traffic fines are doubled in all work zones, and posted work-zone speed limits apply at all times — even when no workers are visible (page 59).
Green	GUIDE / DIRECTIONAL	Highway exits, distances, direction, mile markers
Blue	SERVICES	Gas, food, lodging, hospital, rest area
Brown	RECREATION / CULTURAL	Parks, campgrounds, historical sites, scenic areas
White	REGULATORY	Speed limits, lane rules, turn restrictions
Fluorescent Yellow-Green	WARNING — pedestrian / school / bike	School zones, crosswalks, bike lanes
Fluorescent Pink	INCIDENT MANAGEMENT	Crash clean-up, debris removal, temporary traffic control

⚠️

Signs That Are Frequently Confused

TRICKY

No Passing Pennant vs. No U-Turn: The pennant (pointing right) = no passing. A circle with a slash over a U-turn arrow = no U-turn. Very different.

Crossbuck (RR) vs. Stop Sign: The crossbuck (white X) = yield/slow down and check. Only stop if a train is coming. The octagon = always stop.

Divided Highway Begins vs. Ends: Begins = two arrows pointing apart (median starts). Ends = two arrows merging together (median ends — expect two-way traffic).

Merge vs. Lane Ends: Merge = two roads joining (both cars adjust). Lane Ends = one lane disappears — that driver must yield and merge.

Red Circle with Slash: Always means that action is PROHIBITED. No left turn, no trucks, no bicycles — whatever is inside the circle is forbidden.

⭐

Right of way is the #1 failure topic on the DMV knowledge test. Master every scenario below — these questions will be on your exam.

⛽

The Core Right-of-Way Rules

MOST TESTED

Uncontrolled intersection — arrive at same time: Yield to the driver on your RIGHT. This is the most tested right-of-way rule.

Left turn at green light: You must always yield to oncoming traffic AND pedestrians — even with a green light. A green light is permission to go, not a guarantee of right of way.

Pedestrians in a crosswalk: Always yield. Stop and wait until the pedestrian has completely crossed — not just stepped back. This includes jaywalkers in many situations.

Blind pedestrian (white cane / guide dog): Absolute right of way — you must stop regardless of where they are crossing.

Four-way stop: First to arrive goes first. Simultaneous arrival = yield to the driver on your right. Straight traffic before turning traffic if both arrive at same time from opposite directions.

Emergency vehicles (lights + siren): Pull to the right edge of the road and stop. Clear intersections first — never stop IN an intersection.

Entering from driveway / private road: Always yield to all traffic on the public road — you have no right of way entering from private property.

Roundabout: Vehicles inside the roundabout always have right of way. Entering traffic must yield. When exiting, yield to pedestrians at the crosswalk.

Merging onto a highway: Traffic already on the highway has right of way. The merging vehicle must yield and find a safe gap.

Non-functioning traffic signal: Treat as an all-way stop. All drivers stop, yield, and take turns.

💡

Right-of-Way Scenarios That Trick People

TRICKY

Yellow light: It does NOT mean speed up. If you can stop safely, you must. Proceed only if stopping would be unsafe (you're too close to stop).

Already in intersection when light turns red: Complete the turn — you are committed. Other traffic must wait for you to clear.

Backing out of a driveway: The reversing vehicle always yields to street traffic. You have no right of way in reverse.

Funeral processions: Treat funeral escort vehicles displaying flashing lights the same as emergency vehicles — yield and do not attempt to pass or cut through the procession.

Right turn on red: Legal ONLY after a complete stop and yielding to ALL traffic and pedestrians. Rolling right on red is illegal.

Left on red: Legal ONLY when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street — after a complete stop and yielding.

🚥

Traffic Signal Meanings

ALWAYS TESTED

Signal	What You Must Do
Solid GREEN	Proceed — but yield to traffic already in intersection
Solid YELLOW	Prepare to stop if safe; proceed only if stopping would be dangerous
Solid RED	Stop completely; may turn right on red after stop and yield (unless posted)
GREEN ARROW	Protected turn — oncoming traffic must stop. You may turn in the arrow's direction, but still yield to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection.
YELLOW ARROW	Protected turn is ending — prepare to yield or stop
Flashing YELLOW ARROW	Unprotected turn — you MAY turn but MUST yield to oncoming and pedestrians
Flashing RED	Treat exactly like a STOP sign — stop, yield, proceed when safe
Flashing YELLOW	Caution — slow down and proceed carefully. Do not need to stop.
RED + GREEN ARROW	Stop for through traffic; turn in direction of arrow only
Signal NOT working	Treat as ALL-WAY STOP — all traffic stops

🛣️

Lane Markings — Know Each One

ON EXAM

Broken yellow center line: Passing is permitted from your side when it is safe.

Solid yellow line on your side: No passing from your side of the road.

Double solid yellow: No passing in either direction.

White lines: Separate traffic going in the same direction. Broken = lane change ok. Solid = discouraged (but not always illegal).

Yellow lines: Separate traffic going in opposite directions.

Center left-turn lane (two-way turn lane): Use ONLY to prepare for and make a left turn. Never use as a travel or passing lane.

Yellow X over a lane: Lane is CLOSED — move to a lane with a green arrow immediately.

White stop line: Stop your front bumper at or behind this line at intersections and crosswalks.

↔️

Safe Lane Changing Procedure

STEP BY STEP

Check your mirrors — rearview and side mirror on the side you're moving to

Signal your intent — at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes

Look over your shoulder — physically check the blind spot. Mirrors cannot see everything.

Change lanes gradually — smooth and controlled, not jerky

Cancel signal and adjust speed to match the lane's traffic flow

🚨

DUII questions appear on virtually every DMV knowledge test. Know the BAC levels, implied consent law, and penalties. Oregon uses "DUII" (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants).

🍺

DUII Laws — The Numbers You Must Know

ALWAYS ON TEST

Situation	Consequence
BAC of 0.08%+ (driver 21+)	Oregon presumes you are impaired at 0.08% — DUII arrest. Specific fines, jail, and license suspension/revocation lengths are set by Oregon Revised Statutes; check OregonDMV.com for current penalties (page 82).
Impairment below 0.08% BAC	You can still be arrested for DUII at any BAC if alcohol or drugs affect your mental or physical ability to drive. Marijuana impairment is enforced the same way; combining alcohol and cannabis sharply reduces driving ability (page 82).
Test refusal (Implied Consent)	By driving in Oregon you've agreed to take a breath, blood, or urine test when asked by a police officer. Refusing brings a fine and license suspension under the Implied Consent law (page 83).
BAC — under 21 (Zero Tolerance)	Any measurable BAC fails the test if you are under 21. Zero Tolerance penalties apply on top of any DUII charge (page 83).
Open Container	Open alcohol bottles must be in the trunk on any Oregon road. A re-closed bottle whose seal was broken still counts as open (page 83).
Substances covered	Oregon's DUII law covers alcohol, cannabis, controlled substances, and even prescription or over-the-counter medications that impair driving. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about side effects of any new medication (pages 82–83).

💡

Critical DUII Facts to Remember

TESTED

Implied Consent: by driving on Oregon roads you have agreed to take a breath, blood, or urine test when asked by a police officer. Refusing brings a fine and license suspension on top of any DUII penalty (page 83).

Only TIME removes alcohol: Coffee, food, cold showers, and fresh air do NOT lower your BAC. Your liver processes about 1 drink per hour — nothing speeds this up.

Impairment starts with the first drink: Judgment is the FIRST driving ability affected by alcohol. Oregon law allows a DUII arrest below 0.08% BAC if alcohol or drugs are affecting your driving (page 82).

Under-21 Zero Tolerance: if you're under 21, you fail the breath/blood/urine test at any measurable BAC. The Zero Tolerance penalty applies on top of any DUII consequence (page 83).

Mixing drugs and alcohol: Never drink alcohol while taking medications or other drugs. The Oregon manual specifically warns that combining alcohol and cannabis sharply reduces driving ability (page 82).

Cell phone + under 18: drivers under 18 may NOT use a cell phone or any mobile electronic device while driving — even hands-free. Drivers 18+ must use a hands-free accessory. Sound systems audible 50 ft from the vehicle are illegal (page 80).

Drugs and driving: Driving while impaired by any drug — prescription, over-the-counter, or controlled — is illegal in Oregon. Even legally prescribed medications that impair your ability to drive can lead to a DUII charge (page 83).

🚌

School bus rules are heavily tested. When a school bus shows flashing red lights, all traffic must stop and remain stopped until the driver turns the red lights off. A painted median or center turn lane does NOT separate the road — all lanes still stop. Only on a divided highway with an unpaved median or barrier do you continue if you're on the opposite side from the bus (page 55).

🚌

School Bus Stopping Rules

HEAVILY TESTED

Two-lane / undivided road: ALL traffic in BOTH directions must stop before reaching the bus when its red lights are flashing — and remain stopped until the driver turns them off (page 55).

Divided-highway exception: on a divided highway with two roads separated by an unpaved median strip or barrier, you must stop only if you are on the same side of the road as the bus. A painted median or center turn lane does NOT create two separate roads — in that case all lanes still stop (page 55).

Same direction — always stop: Traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus must ALWAYS stop, regardless of road type or number of lanes (page 55).

After the bus stops: Remain stopped until the driver turns off the flashing red lights. Then proceed slowly, watching carefully for children near the roadway (page 55).

Yellow lights = warning: flashing amber lights warn 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 (page 55).

Yellow lights = warning: Yellow flashing = bus is about to stop. Slow down immediately and prepare to stop. Do not try to pass before it stops.

Worker / places-of-worship buses: flashing amber and red lights are also permitted on places-of-worship and worker transport buses. Treat those lights the same as a school bus (page 56).

School buses must stop at ALL railroad crossings — regardless of whether warning signals are active. This is federal law.

Public transit buses: when a transit bus signals to re-enter a traffic lane and a flashing "YIELD" sign is on its back, approaching vehicles must yield (page 56).

Approaching stopped vehicles with flashing lights (Move Over): on a road with two or more lanes in your direction, change lanes so you don't drive next to the stopped vehicle. If you can't, slow down by at least 5 mph below the speed limit (page 57).

Speed Laws — What You Must Know

ON EVERY TEST

Basic Speed Law: Drive at a speed that is reasonable and proper for existing conditions — even if that means going below the posted limit. Rain, fog, heavy traffic, school zones all require reduced speed.

Posted limits are MAXIMUMS: You may never legally exceed a posted limit, regardless of conditions, traffic, or what other drivers are doing.

Minimum speed law: Do not drive so slowly that you impede or block the normal flow of traffic. Driving too slowly is also illegal.

Work zone caution: Oregon traffic fines are doubled in all work zones. The posted reduced speed limit applies at all times — even when no workers are visible — and stays in effect until you see an "End Work Zone Speed Limit" sign or another posted speed limit sign (page 59).

"Over-driving your headlights": headlights must be on from sunset to sunrise and any time conditions make it difficult to see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead. Driving with parking lights only is illegal. Never drive faster than you can stop within the distance your headlights illuminate (page 76).

Sight-Distance Check for Conditions: Pick a stationary object ahead and count your approach. If you reach it sooner than you'd expect — you are going too fast for the conditions. Slow down. Use the same fixed-point method to verify your 2–4 second following distance (page 26).

↔️

Following Distance — The 2-Second Rule

TESTED

Pick a fixed object — a sign, overpass, or lane marking ahead

When the car ahead passes it, start counting: "one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand"

If you pass the object before 2 seconds — you are following too closely. Slow down and increase the gap. In adverse conditions, increase to 4 or more seconds.

💡 When to increase beyond 2 seconds

Rain, snow, ice, or fog → 4 seconds minimum
Driving at night → increase beyond 2 seconds
Following a large truck or motorcycle → 4+ seconds
Towing a trailer → 4 seconds minimum
Driving at highway speeds → increase distance proportionally

📐

Passing Rules

TESTED

✓

You MAY pass when: There is a broken yellow line on your side, you have sufficient sight distance, and there is no sign or condition prohibiting passing.

✗

NEVER pass in any of these situations: where your view of oncoming traffic is limited (hills, curves), at or in an intersection or railroad crossing, when the vehicle ahead is stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian, in a no-passing zone (solid yellow on your side or "Do Not Pass" sign), or while inside a roundabout. You may cross the centerline in a no-passing zone only if the right side is blocked or you are turning left (page 32).

→

When it is safe to return: You may move back into your original lane when both headlights of the passed vehicle are visible in your rearview mirror.

→

Passing on the right: Legal when the vehicle ahead is making a left turn and there is a safe lane to the right, or on a multi-lane road.

🅿️

Parking Clearance Requirements

TESTED

Location	Minimum Clearance
Fire hydrant	10 ft — no parking within 10 ft of a fire hydrant (page 70)
Traffic signal or sign	50 ft if your vehicle hides the signal or sign from view (page 71)
Within 7½ ft of railroad / light rail tracks	7½ ft — no parking when it interferes with the train (page 71)
Crosswalk at intersection	20 ft from a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection (page 71)
Railroad / light rail crossing	50 ft from the nearest rail (page 71)
Fire station driveway	15 ft on the same side of the street / 75 ft on the opposite side (page 71)
Driveway entrance (public or private)	Not in front of — always prohibited
Disabled (accessible) space	Never without a valid Disabled Person Parking Permit — fine $165–$1,000 (page 70)
Inside an intersection or on a crosswalk	Never — always illegal
Handicapped space (without placard)	Never park here
Bridge, overpass, or tunnel	Never — also no parking between separate roads of a divided highway (page 70)
No Stopping zone	Never stop here, for any reason
No Parking zone	No parking — may stop to load/unload

⛰️

Parking on Hills — Wheel Position

TRICK QUESTION

💡

The rule: always turn wheels so that if the car rolls, it rolls away from traffic or is caught by the curb.

Situation	Turn Wheels	Why
Facing DOWNHILL, WITH curb	RIGHT (into curb)	Car rolls into curb and stops
Facing DOWNHILL, NO curb	RIGHT (away from road)	Car rolls away from traffic
Facing UPHILL, WITH curb	LEFT (away from curb)	Car rolls back, caught by curb
Facing UPHILL, NO curb	RIGHT (away from road)	Car rolls away from traffic

💡 Memory trick

Going downhill with a curb = wheels RIGHT into the curb
Going uphill with a curb = wheels LEFT, away from curb (tire catches it when rolling back)
No curb either way = wheels RIGHT, away from road

🎓

GDL questions appear on many tests. Know Oregon's Graduated Driver Licensing program, the restrictions in each phase, and the specific ages, hold periods, and curfew hours.

🎓

Oregon Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)

ON EXAM

Phase 1 — Learner License (age 530+)

→

Minimum age: 15 years old for an Oregon instruction permit. Parent or legal guardian must sign the electronic application if under 18 — or submit Form 735-173DP with their signature (page 89).

→

Bring acceptable proof of identity, date of birth, current Oregon residence address, and Social Security Number (or electronically certify you don't have one). Pass the vision test and 35-question knowledge test (28/35 = 80% to pass).

→

Supervisor: at least 21 years old with valid driving privileges for at least 3 years. Driving experience supervised by anyone who doesn't meet that bar does not count toward the under-18 supervised-hours requirement (page 90).

→

Must hold the instruction permit at least 6 months before applying for a license (under 18). Drivers under 18 may NOT use a cell phone or any mobile electronic device while driving — even hands-free.

Stage 2 — Class C Driver License (age 16+)

→

Eligibility: at least 16 years old, instruction permit held at least 6 months (under 18), and 100 hours supervised driving — or 50 hours plus an ODOT-approved traffic safety education course. DMV must receive proof of course completion (page 90).

→

Restrictions: Oregon does not have a separate Provisional/Intermediate phase with a curfew or non-family passenger cap. The under-18 cell-phone ban and external-rider rule still apply until age 18 (pages 80, 84).

→

Drive test by appointment via DMV2U.Oregon.gov or 503-945-5000. The drive test may be waived if you completed an ODOT-approved Driver Education course within the past two years, or if you are a new resident surrendering a valid out-of-state license (page 3).

Full Unrestricted License (age 530+)

→

All under-18 restrictions (no cell phone use even hands-free, external-rider rule) lift at age 18. Drivers 18+ may use a cell phone only with a hands-free accessory that requires only minimal use of a finger (page 80).

→

No driver-education requirement for adult applicants (18+). Adult applicants follow the same vision + knowledge + drive-test path; the supervised-hours requirement applies only to under-18 applicants.

→

Statewide all-driver rule: TVs and visible video screens are illegal while driving. Sound systems audible 50 ft from your vehicle are illegal. Drivers 18+ must be hands-free; under 18 cannot use any device (page 80).

🛡️

Emergency Situations — What to Do

TESTED

💨

Tire blowout: Hold the wheel FIRMLY. Ease off gas (don't brake suddenly). Let the car slow naturally. Then gently steer to safety. Sudden braking causes a spin.

💧

Hydroplaning: Ease off gas, hold wheel steady, avoid braking. Let tires re-contact the road. Don't jerk the wheel or brake hard.

🔥

Engine fire: Pull over immediately, turn off engine, get EVERYONE out and move far away (100+ feet). Call 911. Never open the hood.

⚡

Brakes fail: Pump brakes rapidly to build pressure. Downshift to use engine braking. Use parking brake carefully (gradually). Steer to safety.

🌊

Accelerator sticks: Shift to NEUTRAL immediately. Apply brakes. Pull over. Turn engine off.

🌀

Vehicle skids: Ease off gas and brakes. Steer in the direction you want the front to go (into the skid). Do not overcorrect.

🚂

Stalled on railroad tracks: Get EVERYONE out IMMEDIATELY. Move away at a 45° angle in the direction the train is coming — so debris flies away from you. Call 911 and the railroad ENS number.

🌫️

Driving in fog: Use LOW beams (high beams reflect off fog and blind you). Slow significantly. Use fog lights if available. Consider pulling over.

😴

Drowsy driving: Only cure = sleep. Pull over and rest. Coffee, window down, and music are NOT effective solutions. Drowsy driving equals drunk driving in impairment level.

❄️

Stranded in a blizzard: Stay in the vehicle (it's shelter and visible). Run engine briefly for heat with window cracked to prevent CO poisoning. Signal for help with hazards.

🧠

Defensive Driving Principles

ESSENTIAL

Scan ahead: Look well ahead — at least a city block in town and farther on highways. Check mirrors every few seconds and whenever slowing, changing lanes, or approaching intersections. Scanning means taking in the entire scene, including the sides of the road (page 30).

Keep an escape route: Always know where you could go if the car ahead stopped suddenly.

Bridges freeze first: Cold air circulates above AND below a bridge. Bridges ice before road surface — always treat them as potentially icy in winter.

Head-on collision approaching: Brake hard and steer RIGHT — even off the road. A head-on crash at speed is almost always fatal; going off-road is survivable.

Road rage: Never engage, retaliate, or make eye contact. Don't respond with gestures. Slow down, create distance. Report to 911 if dangerous.

Front wheel off pavement: Don't jerk the wheel — it can roll the car. Ease off gas, brake gently, and gradually steer back. Hold on tight.

🔧

Vehicle Equipment Requirements

TESTED

Equipment	Requirement
Headlights (on)	Required from sunset to sunrise and any time conditions make it difficult to see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead. Driving with parking lights only is illegal (page 76).
High beams (dim)	Dim within 500 ft of an oncoming vehicle and within 350 ft when following. Use low beams in fog, dust, smoke, and any low-visibility area — high beams reflect back and cause glare (pages 76–77).
Horn	Use when needed to prevent a crash. Do NOT use to express anger, greet friends, or near blind pedestrians or frightened animals. Sound systems audible 50 ft from your vehicle are illegal (pages 75, 80).
Turn signals	Use turn signals at least 100 feet before a turn or lane change (page 38). Hand-and-arm signals only in daylight when visible at 1,000 ft. It is illegal to flash your signals to tell another driver when to pass.
Visibility / windshield	Nothing may obstruct the driver's view to the front, side, or rear. Stickers or other objects on windows can limit your view of the road (page 73). The drive-test examiner will check that mirrors are present.
TVs / video screens visible to driver	Prohibited while vehicle is in motion (navigation is excepted)
Muffler	Must prevent excessive or unusual noise
Brakes	Service brakes must work and stop the vehicle under control. Parking brake required. After driving through deep water, gently apply the brakes while driving slowly until they respond (pages 5, 78).
Wipers	Must adequately clean the windshield when used
Tail lights	Required equipment for the drive test (front and back turn signals, brake lights, tail lights). Lenses should be clean for night-driving visibility (page 4).
Tires	Tires must not be bald or damaged. Studded tires are only legal in Oregon Nov 1 – Mar 31. Traction tires are studded, retractable-stud, or tires bearing the mountain/snowflake emblem (pages 4, 79).
Hazard lights	For use when parked/stopped in an emergency — not while driving normally
Seat belts & child restraints	Safety belt use is mandatory in Oregon for all drivers and passengers in every available seating position. Never put the shoulder strap under your arm or behind your back. Infants must ride rear-facing until age 2. Child safety seat required until age 8 or 4'9" tall (pages 73–74).

💡

Headlight Rules That Are Tested

TESTED

Headlights required by Oregon law: from sunset to sunrise and any time conditions make it difficult to see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead. A vehicle stopped or parked on a road or shoulder must have parking lights on in limited-visibility conditions (page 76).

Parking lights ≠ headlights: it is illegal in Oregon to drive a vehicle at night or in bad weather with only the parking lights on. Parking lights are for indicating a parked vehicle (page 76).

Dim high beams: within 500 ft of an oncoming vehicle and within 350 ft when following. When you must dim, other auxiliary lights (fog lights) must also be off. In fog, dust, smoke, or any low-visibility area, use low beams only (pages 76–77).

Night driving — "drive in your headlights": at night you can only see as far as your headlights — to adjust, look a little to the right of oncoming lights and watch the road edge or fog line. Never drive faster than you can stop within the distance your headlights illuminate (page 77).

⚡

Before the Test — What to Do

PREPARATION

Take the DMV Exam Simulator at least 5 times and score 90%+ consistently. Don't go in when you're scoring 80% — aim higher than the minimum.

Use the "Weak Spots" mode the night before. Every question you got wrong — review those explanations until you understand WHY, not just what the answer is.

Memorize the Key Numbers tab — BAC limits, distances, suspension periods, speed limits. These are direct exam fodder.

Get a good night's sleep. Drowsy test-taking impairs recall just like drowsy driving impairs reaction time.

Bring required documents: proof of identity and date of birth (U.S. birth certificate, passport, Permanent Resident Card, or an Oregon license/ID expired no more than 13 years), Social Security Number (or electronically certify you don't have one), proof of current Oregon address, and corrective lenses if you wear them. Under-18 applicants: parent/guardian signature on the electronic application or Form 735-173DP, plus school-attendance certification (or HS diploma / GED if no longer in school) (pages 89–91).

🧠

During the Test — How to Answer

STRATEGY

The safest answer is usually correct. When in doubt, pick the option that is most cautious, most yields, or stops the most. Oregon tests reward safe, defensive driving choices.

Watch for "NEVER" and "ALWAYS" options. These are sometimes traps — but in Oregon driving law, there actually are many absolute rules (ALWAYS stop for school bus, NEVER pass on a hill crest, etc.).

"All of the above" is very often the correct answer on DMV knowledge tests — especially for questions about DUII charges, suspension triggers, and violations.

Read every word. Test questions often hinge on words like "divided highway" vs. "undivided," "business district" vs. "residential," or "first offense" vs. "subsequent offense."

Refusing a BAC test — can cost your license. Under Oregon's Implied Consent law, by driving you've agreed to take a breath, blood, or urine test if requested. Refusing brings a fine and license suspension, in addition to any DUII penalty (page 83).

The real Oregon DMV knowledge test: 35 multiple-choice questions, no time limit, 28 correct (80%) to pass — you can miss up to 7. Road signs are part of the same test. Take it on a touch-screen monitor in any DMV office or online at DMV2U.Oregon.gov. Cheating = 90-day testing ban. Fail the drive test = retake next business day (pages 2, 4).

📋

Recommended Study Order

YOUR PLAN

Read Key Numbers tab — memorize every distance, speed, and BAC number

Read Right of Way + DUII tabs — the #1 and #2 failure topics

Read Road Signs + Signals tabs — shapes, colors, and signal meanings

Read School Buses + Parking tabs — specific rules with specific numbers

Take the Full Practice Bank — all 530+ questions to identify weak spots

Use Weak Spots mode — drill every question you got wrong until you nail it

Run the DMV Exam Simulator 3–5 times — pass consistently with 90%+ before going in

Night before: Re-read the Key Numbers tab + Test-Day Tips tab. Good sleep. You've got this. ✅

DMV Written Test · Recommended Study Approach

The Smartest Way
to Pass Your Test

A proven 4-phase approach that builds real understanding — not just memorization. Work through each phase at your own pace, and you'll walk into the DMV ready to pass on your first try.

📱 Uses This App 🎯 35 Qs · 80% to Pass 🧠 4 Phases · Your Pace ✅ 90%+ Before You Go

⚡ How This Approach Works

🧠

Learn before you quiz. Read the material first so practice questions teach you patterns — not just random answers.

🎯

Fix what's weak, skip what's strong. The app tracks every wrong answer. Spend your time where it matters most.

📈

Build up gradually. Numbers → Study Guide → Practice → Topics → Simulator. Each phase builds on the last.

🏁

Don't go until you're ready. Score 90%+ on the simulator twice before visiting the DMV. The real Oregon test lets you miss up to 7 of 35 questions — but aim for 90%+ in practice so a few unexpected wordings won't sink you.

🧠 Phase 1 Learn — Build Your Foundation

🔢

Step 1 · Start Here

Memorize the Key Numbers

Study Guide → 🔢 Key Numbers tab · then take the Key Numbers Quiz

⏱ 30–40 min

Click in the top bar → open the tab.

Read every number out loud. Speed limits, distances, BAC limits, suspension periods. Saying them out loud forces your brain to process them more deeply.

Write these on paper: 15/20/25/55 mph (basic limits) · 0.08% BAC (21+) · Any % under-21 (Zero Tolerance) · 100 ft signal · 500 ft dim oncoming · 350 ft dim following · 1,000 ft headlight visibility · 10 ft hydrant · 20 ft crosswalk · 50 ft signal/RR · 12 in parallel park · 2 sec following (≤30 mph) · 4 sec following (>30 mph) · 6 months minimum permit hold · 100 hrs supervised driving · age 15 permit / 16 license / 18 cell-phone ban lifts

Go home → click . Take it without your notes. Check your score.

Under 85%? Re-read the Key Numbers tab, then retake the quiz. Repeat until you hit 85%+.

💡

Why numbers first? A meaningful share of real knowledge test questions ask for a specific number. These are free points if you know them — and guaranteed wrong answers if you don't.

📖

Step 2 · The Big 4 Topics

Read the 4 Most-Tested Study Tabs

Study Guide → Right of Way · Alcohol & DUII · Road Signs · Signals & Lanes

⏱ 40–50 min

— read completely. This is the #1 failure topic. Understand left turns at green lights and Oregon's school bus rule: stop for flashing red lights from both directions on undivided roads; a painted median or center turn lane does NOT separate the road; only an unpaved median or barrier on a divided highway exempts oncoming drivers (page 55).

— key facts: BAC 0.08%+ = DUII presumption (21+). Under 21 = any measurable BAC fails (Zero Tolerance). DUII can also apply below 0.08% if you're impaired by alcohol, cannabis, or any other substance. Refusing the breath/blood/urine test under Oregon's Implied Consent law brings a fine and license suspension on top of the DUII penalty. Open containers must be in the trunk.

— shapes and colors tables. Octagon = stop, triangle down = yield, diamond = warning, pentagon = school zone, pennant = no passing.

— flashing red vs. yellow, green arrow vs. regular green, right-on-red rules (must make complete stop first, yield to pedestrians and traffic).

ℹ️

Don't try to memorize every word. Focus on understanding WHY each rule exists. When you understand the reasoning, you can figure out answers even when questions are worded differently from what you studied.

📖

Step 3 · The Rest of the Guide

Read the Remaining Study Tabs

School Buses · Parking · Teen Laws · Speed & Following · Safe Driving · Equipment

⏱ 30–40 min

— stop for flashing red lights and remain stopped until the driver turns them off. A painted median or center turn lane does NOT separate the road — all lanes still stop. Only on a divided highway with an unpaved median or barrier do oncoming drivers continue (page 55).

— memorize the 4 hill parking scenarios. Trick: no curb = always turn wheels right.

— Oregon licensing ladder: instruction permit at age 15 (hold ≥6 months under 18) → driver license at age 16 after 100 hours supervised driving (or 50 hrs + ODOT-approved course). Oregon does not have a separate Provisional/Intermediate phase — the under-18 cell-phone ban (no use, even hands-free) and external-rider rule apply until age 18 (pages 80, 89–90).

— following distance rule, passing rules, and when to increase your following distance. Know the stopping distances from 2026-2027 Oregon Driver Manual.

— hydroplaning, blowout, skid recovery, fog driving. Understand the logic — don't memorize.

— headlights on from sunset to sunrise and any time you can't see 1,000 ft ahead. Dim high beams within 500 ft of oncoming vehicles; use low beams when following within 350 ft. Driving with parking lights only is illegal (page 76).

✅

Pro tip: If you want even deeper detail, download the 📕 Official 2026-2027 Oregon Driver Manual → for the full official content. The study guide gives you the highlights, the manual gives you everything.

☕ Take a real break here. Sleep on it if you can — your brain consolidates memory overnight. Phase 2 works best after at least a few hours (or a night) away from studying.

📝 Phase 2 Practice — Test Yourself

📚

Step 4 · First Practice Run

Full Practice Bank — Work Through 60–100 Questions

Home → 📚 Full Practice Bank · no timer, read every explanation

⏱ 45–60 min

Click . This gives you all 530+ questions in random order with no timer.

Read every explanation — even when you get it right. The explanations contain extra detail and reasoning that will help you on tricky test questions.

Do at least 60–100 questions. The app automatically saves every wrong answer so you can drill them later.

Click See Results when done. Note which categories you failed most — those are the targets for Phase 3.

ℹ️

Getting things wrong is the point. This is a learning session, not an exam. Every wrong answer you discover now is one you'll get right on test day.

🏆

Step 5 · Topic Deep-Dives

Practice Your 3 Weakest Categories

Home → Choose Your Practice Mode → pick Full Practice Bank or Quick Drill

⏱ 30–40 min

Look at your results from Step 4. Find the 3 categories where you got the most wrong (e.g., Right of Way, DUII, Road Signs).

Use the Study Guide to review your weak topics, then run the Full Practice Bank or Quick Drill to test yourself on all categories.

Repeat for your 2nd and 3rd weakest topics. Focused drilling is much more efficient than random practice.

Target: 80%+ on each topic. Under 80%? Go back to the Study Guide tab for that topic, re-read it, then retake.

🎯 Phase 3 Fix — Attack Your Weak Spots

🎯

Step 6 · The Most Important Step

Weak Spots Mode — Drill Every Wrong Answer

Home → 🎯 Weak Spots Only · the app loads your mistakes automatically

⏱ 30–45 min

Click . The app loads every question you've gotten wrong so far — automatically.

Before you answer — think about why each option might be right or wrong. Slow down and reason through it.

Still don't understand an answer? Open the Study Guide tab for that topic and re-read just that section. Or download the official manual for the full official explanation.

Retake Weak Spots until you score 85%+ on it. 2–3 rounds is completely normal — that's exactly how this is supposed to work.

⭐

This is the single most valuable thing you can do. Research shows that practicing things you got wrong is 3–5x more effective than re-reading material you already know. Don't skip this step.

☕ Take a break. At least 30 minutes. Let your brain rest before the simulation phase.

🏁 Phase 4 Prove It — Simulate the Real Test

📋

Step 7 · The Big Test

DMV Exam Simulator — Full Simulation

Home → 📋 DMV Exam Simulator · 35 questions · no timer (matches Oregon's real test)

⏱ 20–30 min

Click . 35 random questions matching the real Oregon Class C knowledge test format — no time limit. Need 80% to pass (28 of 35 correct).

Treat it like the real thing. No notes. No Study Guide. Sit quietly, read every question fully, and give your best answer.

Check your score against the table below and follow the action for your result.

Your Score	Status	What to Do Next
Under 75%	Needs more work	Go back to Phase 3 — run Weak Spots mode on your wrong answers. Re-read the Study Guide for those topics. Then try the simulator again.
75% – 89%	Almost there	Run Weak Spots on what you missed, then take the simulator again. You're close — one more round should get you there.
90%+	Ready! 🎉	Run the simulator one more time to confirm. Score 90%+ twice → you are ready for the real test.

🔁

Step 8 · Repeat Until 90%+

Fix → Retest → Confirm

Retry Wrong Ones → DMV Simulator → repeat until you pass twice in a row

⏱ 30–45 min per cycle

From the results screen click . Drill every question you got wrong in the simulator.

For any question you still don't understand — open the Study Guide, find the right section, and re-read that rule. Or download the official manual for the full explanation.

Run the again. Keep going until you hit 90%+ twice in a row.

✅

The magic number is 90% twice. If you can score 90% on random questions under timed conditions two times in a row, you know the material — not just the specific questions.

🌙 Night Before Refresh — Don't Cram

🌙

Final Review — 20 Minutes Max

Quick Refresh, Then Sleep

Key Numbers tab + Test-Day Tips tab only · No new material

⏱ 20 min max

Open tab in the Study Guide. Read through once — don't study, just refresh.

Open the tab. Read the strategy section — especially "safest answer wins" and the Implied Consent rule for DUII refusal.

Take one as a confidence check. Score 80%+? Close the app and go to sleep. You're ready.

Go to sleep at your normal time. Being well-rested is worth more than another hour of studying.

⚠️

Do NOT cram the night before. Your brain needs sleep to consolidate everything you've learned. More than an hour of study at this point actually hurts performance.

🏁 Test Day Checklist

Before you walk into the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services office:

✅ Proof of identity and date of birth: U.S. birth certificate (hospital copies don't count), U.S. passport / passport card, Permanent Resident Card, Certificate of Naturalization, federally recognized tribal ID, or an Oregon license/ID expired no more than 13 years. Full accepted-document list: OregonDMV.com.

✅ Under 18: U.S. birth certificate (or other primary ID), parent/guardian signature on the electronic application — or Form 735-173DP — and parent/guardian school-attendance certification (or HS diploma / GED if not enrolled).

✅ Under-18 applicants: parent/guardian must sign the electronic application. They don't have to come to DMV with you, but if they don't you must submit Form 735-173DP with their signature.

✅ Glasses or contacts if you wear them — you must pass a vision test

✅ Pay the Oregon DMV test fee (paid separately from any other fees — current amounts at oregon.gov/odot/DMV/Pages/Fees/Driver.aspx). Fail the drive test → wait until next business day to retake. Cheating on the knowledge test → 90-day testing ban.

✅ Well-rested, fed, and confident 💪

35 questions · need 80% (28 correct) · you can miss up to 7 and still pass

You've Got This!

Free Oregon Permit Practice Test

DMV Exam Simulator

Road Signs Quiz

Key Numbers Quiz

Quick 15-Question Drill

Full Practice Bank

Study Guide

2026-2027 Oregon Driver Manual 📄 Get PDF

📖 DMV Study Guide

What to Study Before the Real Test

Speed Limits

Critical Distances & Clearances

DUII & Alcohol Numbers

Teen / GDL Numbers

Following Distance & Time Rules

Sign Shapes — Each Shape Has One Meaning

Sign Colors — Color Tells You the Category

Signs That Are Frequently Confused

The Core Right-of-Way Rules

Right-of-Way Scenarios That Trick People

Traffic Signal Meanings

Lane Markings — Know Each One

Safe Lane Changing Procedure

DUII Laws — The Numbers You Must Know

Critical DUII Facts to Remember

School Bus Stopping Rules

Speed Laws — What You Must Know

Following Distance — The 2-Second Rule

💡 When to increase beyond 2 seconds

Passing Rules

Parking Clearance Requirements

Parking on Hills — Wheel Position

💡 Memory trick

Oregon Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)

Emergency Situations — What to Do

Defensive Driving Principles

Vehicle Equipment Requirements

Headlight Rules That Are Tested

Before the Test — What to Do

During the Test — How to Answer

Top 10 Topics That Will Definitely Be on Your Test

Recommended Study Order

📋 Review All Answers

The Smartest Wayto Pass Your Test

⚡ How This Approach Works

🏁 Test Day Checklist

📕 Oregon Driver Handbook

Official 2026-2027 Oregon Driver Manual

📖 Our Study Guide — Exam-Focused Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes the Oregon Written Test Different

Studying in a Neighboring State?

The Smartest Way
to Pass Your Test