What’s required for an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course?

• Student must be at least 15 years of age.
• Student must have a valid Oregon instruction permit by the first class and it must be valid through the entire course.
• Student must not receive license prior to completion of the course – you may be liable for increased fees.
• Student must complete class prior to turning 18.
• Course requires a commitment to participate in classroom and in-car lessons and to practice new skills outside of class.
• Parent/guardian involvement is required (parent meeting plus practice driving during the course).

What are the benefits of taking an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course?

• Nationally-Recognized Curriculum – Oregon’s Risk Prevention Curriculum, known as the Playbook, is nationally recognized. The Playbook’s third revision (R3) was recently completed and is available for approved courses statewide.
• Certified Instructors – All instructors in ODOT-Approved Driver Education programs are professionally trained and state-certified as required by Oregon Administrative Rule 737-015-0070. They have completed a rigorous program (administered through a grant to Western Oregon University) consisting of 120 hours of training related to Oregon traffic laws, foundations of classroom teaching and management and specialized behind-the-wheel instruction. All instructors hold current First Aid and CPR certification and must complete 15 hours of continuing education credits and teach a minimum of 30 hours in an ODOT-TSO-approved program every two years.
• Specially Equipped Vehicles – All vehicles in ODOT-Approved Driver Education programs are equipped with an instructor brake, and additional rear-view and eye-check mirrors. This equipment provides instructors more control than a standard-equipped vehicle. All vehicles must also be clearly identified with appropriate signage indicating “Student Driver” or “Driver Education Car” as set forth in Oregon Administrative Rule 737-015-0050.
• Proven Performance – Data shows that teens, ages 16-20, who complete an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course are far less likely to receive a traffic conviction or be involved in a serious crash. Based on 2018-2022 ODOT DMV data comparing teens, ages 16-20, who had taken driver education with those who had not, teens who did not take driver education received 86.6% of the citations and 85.3% were involved in crashes. Teens who take an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course learn skills that can, when consistently practiced, lead to lifelong safer driving.   

How do I find an open ODOT-Approved Driver Education provider?

ODOT-Approved Driver Education providers are listed geographically on our Find a Provider page (*New providers are added as they are approved).

Please note that each provider sets their own student fees. We advise you to check with providers for course dates and requirements.

Oregon Driver Education Providers Map

How much does an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course cost?

Formal driver education is an investment in your child’s safety. Costs vary by provider, but the current average cost for an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course is $380 after ODOT subsidy. Contact your local provider to get more specific information. Note that an additional small subsidy is available for families who are identified as economically disadvantaged. See the next section for more information on that subsidy.

What subsidies does ODOT provide for lower income / no income families and teens?

Even though driver education is an investment in your teen’s safety, many families are deterred by the initial cost. In Oregon, a driver education course costs an average of $380.*

This amount covers the curriculum materials, instructor’s time, classroom space, vehicle usage, insurance costs, gasoline and other standard course-related expenses.

Average course cost after ODOT subsidy** – $380

Less subsidy – $75

Final cost to student – $305

*Average price if the teen is between 15-17 years old and is expected to complete the course before turning 18.

**Sample estimate. Course costs vary by provider.

To encourage families to sign up their teens for driver education, ODOT offers an additional subsidy of up to $75 to approved providers, who are then able to pass it on as a discount to eligible families. To be eligible, a family must meet the definition of economically disadvantaged according to the Oregon Board of Education. If you meet and can provide proof of the eligibility requirements, you can choose an ODOT-Approved provider in your area and request an estimate.

A valid OREGON permit is required by the first class and through completion of the driver education course. Information on obtaining an Oregon permit can be found here.

My student is registered for an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course but their permit is going to expire before the course ends. What do we do?

Students whose permits will expire prior to course completion must renew their permits. This can be done online, and it’s important to be proactive and renew before expiration. A valid permit is required throughout the course, and it’s unlawful for an unlicensed teen to drive without a valid permit and a qualified licensed adult in the vehicle.

To apply for an instruction permit, visit DMV here.

To renew an instruction permit, visit dmv2u.oregon.gov and follow instructions to “Renew my expiring card” under the License, Permit & ID section. You are not required to retake the knowledge or vision test unless the permit has been expired for one year or more. You will be required to surrender your expiring permit.

ODOT is no longer issuing completion certificates. How does a student demonstrate proof of course completion?

Beginning October 14, 2024, ODOT will no longer issue driver education completion certificates. Instead, ODOT-Approved Driver Education providers will submit a student’s course completion electronically through DMV2U. No more worrying about lost or forgotten cards!

How can my teen waive the drive test at DMV field offices?

A student who completes and passes an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course does not have to take a drive test at a DMV field office. The field office can look on the student’s record and find a notation indicating the student’s completion date and whether they passed.

My student has completed an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course. What are the next steps?

A student who has successfully completed an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course after October 13, 2024, will no longer receive a completion certificate, but their provider will electronically submit course completion information through DMV2U. The teen will still need to visit a DMV field office and take the vision exam prior to applying for issuance of a driver license. An appointment for both the exam and driver license issuance can be scheduled together.

Will I need to take a Drive Test at the DMV if I pass the course?

If a student has passed an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course, there is no drive test needed! The teen will still need to make an appointment or visit a DMV field office to complete the licensure process. The teen’s course completion status will be electronically submitted to DMV by their provider. This includes completing the application, paying fees, taking a vision test and having a picture taken. Please see DMV’s teen driver page for more information.

If a teen has not completed or has failed an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course and needs to take a skills (drive) test, one can be scheduled through DMV2U. Alternatively, DMV has contracted with Class C Testing Businesses for that service. A teen can contact one of these businesses to schedule a drive test. Upon passage, a teen will need to make an appointment at a DMV field office to complete the licensure process. This includes completing and submitting the application, paying fees, taking a vision test and having a picture taken. Please see DMV’s teen driver page for more information.

I passed my ODOT-Approved Driver Education course. Now what?

If an eligible teen has successfully completed an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course, the teen is not required to take a skills (drive) test at a DMV field office. The teen will still need to make an appointment or visit a DMV field office to complete the licensure process. The teen’s course completion status will be electronically submitted to DMV by their provider. This includes completing and submitting the application, paying fees, taking a vision test and having a picture taken. Please see DMV’s teen driver page for more information.

CAUTION: If you are thinking about getting your license before completing the course – you may lose some benefits of the course. A student with a license is no longer eligible for ODOT subsidy. Check with your driver education provider first to see if there will be consequences, such as increased fees.