The 10 Most Common Ways to Get a Suspended License in Oregon
You can get your license suspended in Oregon for a variety of offenses from failing to pay child support to a DUI.
Written by Joshua Levy
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
A suspended license is a severe punishment in Oregon, and it's mostly used in response to serious offenses like Driving Under the Influence. Choosing to drive with a suspended license is considered a serious offense punishable by hundreds of dollars in fines — it'll also be harder to find
cheap car insurance in Oregon.
In the modern world, driving is an essential skill. While many people think of it as a right, driving is a privilege that carries a risk of causing damages and injuries. To ensure the roads are as safe as possible, each state has its own set of laws regulating who is permitted to drive.
Getting your license suspended is a big deal, and it’s hard to know exactly which actions warrant such a major consequence. That’s why the
car insurance
comparison and broker app Jerry
has compiled a list of the most common ways to get your license suspended in Oregon. Here, you’ll learn what to avoid if you want to keep your driving privileges intact.
What’s the difference between a license suspension and revocation?
License suspension and revocation are related, but they’re not twins. Both terms have unique stipulations and steps for reinstating your license.
Let’s break down the difference between license suspension and revocation:
- License suspension is a temporary loss of driving privileges
- License revocation is a complete loss of driving privileges requiring drivers to reapply for a license
While license suspension is more commonly issued for a variety of reasons, license revocation is usually reserved for extreme circumstances.
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What can your license be suspended for in Oregon?
Oregon can suspend your license in situations where you endanger others or show flagrant disregard for the law. What does that mean, exactly? Here are 10 of the most common reasons why you could lose access to your license.
1. If you fail to appear in court
When you fail to appear for a court hearing, Oregon’s court system can submit a request to the DMV for your license suspension. Since both organizations work hand-in-hand, the request will typically be approved—and you’ll lose your license privileges for up to 10 years or until the court clears you.
2. If you fail to comply with court orders
When the court hands down a sentence for whatever it is you’re accused of, you’re legally obligated to comply with their decision. If you choose to resist, the court can submit a request to the DMV to suspend your license for up to 20 years or until the court is satisfied with your cooperation.
3. If you don’t pay child support
Since driving is such an essential part of daily life in the US, driving privileges are leveraged to hold parents accountable for paying child support. Failing to provide the required payment could warrant a license suspension for as long as the court deems fit.
4. If you drive under the influence
Driving under the influence in Oregon
is a serious offense. That said, the suspension time depends on the specifics of each situation. If you cause injury or damage as a result of your negligence, your license will be suspended for an extended period.5. If you refuse a breathalyzer test
When you hit the road in Oregon, you’re implicitly consenting to take breath, blood, or urine tests at any law enforcement officer’s discretion. Refusing to take the test will warrant license suspensions of one to three years. Alternatively, failing any of these tests warrants license suspensions of three months to one year.
6. If you repeat convictions
The state of Oregon will immediately suspend your license if you’re convicted of murder, manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment, or criminal mischief involving the use of a motor vehicle. However, your license will be revoked if you’re convicted of any of the aforementioned crimes three times.
7. If you don’t maintain Oregon car insurance
Oregon's car insurance laws
outline exactly how much coverage drivers must carry before they hit the road. Getting into an accident without the proper insurance can warrant a license suspension of up to one year.8. If you don’t file an accident report
In Oregon, drivers are required to file police reports in the case of an accident. Choosing not to file a report in Oregon could earn you a license suspension of up to five years, depending on the severity of the situation.
9. If you commit assault in a motor vehicle
Assaulting another person with a motor vehicle is a serious charge, but it comes in degrees. If you’re convicted of 4th-degree assault, you could lose your driving privileges for up to one year. A conviction of 2nd-degree assault warrants a suspension of up to eight years. If you’re convicted of 1st-degree assault, your license will be immediately revoked.
10. If you fail to complete driver improvement school
If your driving habits are cause for concern in Oregon, you could be required to take a driver improvement course. For the time you’re enrolled, your license privileges will be restricted to essentials like your commute to work.
Disregarding those restrictions or accruing multiple traffic violations while enrolled could warrant a license suspension of up to six months if you’re under 18, or one month if you’re older than 18.
MORE:
Oregon car accident laws
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How to save money on car insurance in Oregon
License suspensions and traffic violations can have a big impact on your car insurance premiums, but you can still keep your payments affordable with
Jerry
. A
licensed broker
, the Jerry app helps users compare the lowest available rates from over 50 top providers like Progressive, Nationwide, and Allstate. That way, users know they’re getting the best deal before they settle on a policy.All you need to do is download the app, answer a few short questions, and choose a curated quote. Jerry can help you switch plans and even help cancel your old one. Users save an average of $887 a year on car insurance with Jerry—and it only takes a minute to sign up.
“I recently started looking for insurance. With my past ticket, I got rejected from several companies while others charged me extreme prices. My friend referred me toJerryand their amazing customer service helped me get the lowest insurance rate.” —Christina H.
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