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Hardship Permits


A hardship permit is available for some driver license suspensions or for a driver revoked as a habitual offender.

A hardship permit allows you to drive a non-commercial motor vehicle only.

​A hardship permit allows you to drive:

  • To and from work.
  • On the job.
  • To seek employment.
  • To and from an alcohol, drug or gambling addiction treatment or rehabilitation program.
  • For medical treatment on a regular basis.
  • For necessary services. Necessary services include:
    • ​Driving to and from a grocery store.
    • Driving yourself or your children to and from school.
    • Driving to and from childcare.
    • Driving to and from medical appointments.
    • Driving to and from the residence of elderly family members to care for them.​

You cannot get a hardship permit if any of the following apply:
To make sure you are eligible, contact DMV at 503-945-5000 (Statewide Relay TTY 711)​.​

To apply for a hardship permit, you can: 
  • Visit DMV2U​ to complete an online hardship application.
  • Download and fill out the application.
To successfully apply, you must do the following:
  • Submit all required documents.
  • Pay the fees: 
    • Application fee ($75) – non-refundable
    • Reinstatement fee ($85)​
If you download and fill out the application: Mail the application, required documents and payment (check or money order) to the following address:

DMV - Driver Suspension Unit
1905 Lana Avenue NE
Salem, OR 97314​

SR-22 Insurance Certificate

Have an automobile insurance company file an Oregon SR-22 certificate with DMV. The SR-22 must be the original (no copies or faxes). DMV will not issue the permit until the SR-22 becomes effective.

Employment Verification

  • If you are employed and you need to drive on the job: Submit a letter from your employer verifying employment.
  • The letter must be signed and dated on company letterhead.
  • The letter must state job duties that require driving.
  • The letter must provide information regarding what times and in which counties you must drive to perform the required job duties.
If you are self-employed, submit one of the following:
  • A copy of your current business license.
  • A copy of your Schedule C or Schedule SE tax statement.
  • ​Two other documents such as:
    • ​​A current customer signed business receipt
    • Advertisements
    • Signed contracts
    • Signed and dated letters from customers
Physician Letter

If you are applying to drive yourself or an immediate family member to and from medical treatment on a regular basis: Submit a letter from the physician (or nurse practitioner) verifying the need for regular medical treatment.

Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Installation Report

If you are required to install and use an IID as a condition of a DUII Diversion Agreement or DUII conviction: Submit an installation report verifying you have installed an IID in the vehicle(s) you operate.

  • ​The application fee is non-refundable. Contact DMV​ to make sure you are eligible.
  • You cannot get a hardship permit at a DMV field office.
  • You may be subject to a mandatory waiting period before we can issue the permit.
  • We will not issue the permit until the suspension is in effect.
  • We cannot issue a hardship permit that allows more than 12 hours of driving on any one day.

Move Over for: emergency responders, ODOT maintenance, tow trucks and any vehicles with hazards on. Slow down. The way to go.




Frequently Asked Questions

Wipers on? Lights on? Lights and swipes. The way to go. If you’re drinking and driving, you’re on thin ice. Driver sober or get pulled over. ¿Peor regalo que un calcetín? Un DUI. Maneja tomado y serás arrestado.

If you enjoy the holiday greenery, find a sober ride. If you feel different, you drive different.