Grace period almost over for expired Oregon licenses and registrations

By Chris M Lehman (KLCC)
Nov. 6, 2021 9:30 p.m.

The grace period for renewing expired Oregon drivers licenses and vehicle registrations is coming to an end next month.

The Oregon DMV closed its field offices for several months last year as part of the effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The agency has been working since then to clear out a backlog of paperwork.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

To help ease the pressure, Oregon lawmakers last year instructed law enforcement to ignore expired licenses and tags. It turned into a series of rolling grace periods.

“The last one, put in place by this year’s legislature, will end at the end of this year, Dec. 31,” said Oregon DMV spokesperson David House. “So if you have a driver’s license, permit, ID card, or your tags on your car are expired and you just haven’t got into DMV yet, you need to do that before the end of the year.”

House says many routine transactions can be done online, saving a trip to the local DMV office. He said it’s impossible to know how many Oregonians have allowed their licenses to expire as a result of the grace period, since some people may have simply chosen to no longer have a drivers license and have no plans to eventually renew it.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

Become a Sustainer now at opb.org and help ensure OPB’s fact-based reporting, in-depth news and engaging programs thrive in 2025 and beyond.
We’ve gone to incredible places together this year. Support OPB’s essential coverage and exploration in 2025 and beyond. Join as a monthly Sustainer now or with a special year-end contribution. 
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: