Oregon's Teen Driving Laws: A 2025 Guide for Parents and Provisional Drivers

For Oregon teenagers, getting a driver's license is a symbol of freedom. For parents, it's a period of adjustment filled with both pride and new worries. To ensure teen drivers gain experience in the safest way possible, Oregon employs a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. [22] This system is scientifically proven to reduce teen driver crashes by limiting exposure to high-risk driving situations.

Understanding these laws is not just about avoiding tickets—it's about keeping your teen safe. This guide provides a clear breakdown of Oregon's GDL restrictions for teens and their parents.

The Purpose of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)

The simple truth is that driving is one of the most dangerous activities a teenager will undertake. Inexperience, combined with distractions like peer passengers and the challenges of night driving, creates a high-risk environment. Oregon's GDL laws are not meant to be punitive; they are a protective measure designed to allow teens to build crucial skills and judgment over time. [22]

The program has two phases with restrictions before a full, unrestricted license is granted at age 18.

Stage 1: The Provisional Instruction Permit (Ages 15-17)

This is the learner's stage. A teen must hold this permit for at least six months before they can even think about driving alone.

Key Permit Restrictions:

Constant Supervision: A permit holder must always be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has been licensed for at least 3 years. [10]
Front Seat Only: The supervising driver must be in the front passenger seat at all times.
Zero Mobile Device Use: It is illegal for a teen with a permit to use a mobile phone or any handheld electronic device while driving, even with a hands-free accessory. [10]

Stage 2: The Provisional License (Ages 16-17)

After holding a permit for at least six months, completing the required supervised driving hours (100 hours, or 50 with driver's ed), and passing the drive test, a teen earns a provisional license. This allows them to drive alone, but with some very important "guardrails" in place for the first year. [14, 22]

These restrictions last for the first full year of holding the license or until the driver turns 18, whichever comes first.

Provisional License Restriction 1: Passengers

Teen driver crash rates increase dramatically with each peer passenger in the car. Oregon's law addresses this directly.

For the First 6 Months: A teen driver cannot carry any passengers under the age of 20, unless the passenger is a member of their immediate family (e.g., a sibling). [6, 17]
For the Second 6 Months: A teen driver cannot carry more than three passengers under the age of 20 who are not members of their immediate family. [6, 17]

Exception: The passenger restriction does not apply if the teen is accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old in the front seat.

Provisional License Restriction 2: Night Driving (Curfew)

Fatal crash rates for teen drivers are significantly higher at night. The GDL curfew is a direct response to this risk.

For the First Full Year: A teen driver is prohibited from driving between midnight (12 a.m.) and 5 a.m. [6, 17]

Exceptions to the Curfew:

Driving to or from work.
Driving for employment purposes (e.g., making a delivery).
Driving to or from a school-sponsored event when no other transportation is available. [17]
When accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old. [6, 17]

Provisional License Restriction 3: Mobile Devices and Safety Belts

Cell Phones: The ban on using any mobile communication device continues through the entire provisional license phase. This is a primary law, meaning a teen can be pulled over just for this offense. [6]
Seat Belts: The driver and every single passenger must wear a seat belt. The teen driver is legally responsible for ensuring everyone is buckled up.

Consequences for Violations

Violating any of these GDL restrictions can result in a traffic ticket, fines, and potential suspension of driving privileges. For parents, it's also a signal that more supervised practice or a discussion about the seriousness of these rules is needed.

The Final Stage: Unrestricted License

At age 18, the GDL restrictions on passengers and night driving are automatically lifted, and the provisional license becomes a full, unrestricted Oregon driver's license. [39]

The GDL laws provide a strong legal foundation for safety. By partnering with your teen to enforce these rules and setting your own household driving contract, you can help them navigate this exciting time and become a safe, responsible driver for life.