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Recently, the DMV informed me that the law would have to be changed for them to allow electronic licenses in Oregon. But they declined my request to cite a specific law, so I'm trying to figure out which law that might be.

So far, the most relevant law I have found is ORS 801.245, which defines a drivers' license as "a document issued by this state or any other jurisdiction as evidence of a grant of driving privileges." But the law doesn't say anything about requiring that document to be in the form of a plastic card. I don't see how this law prohibits a license from being an electronic document, or from being carved into a pumpkin for that matter - it just has to be issued by the state.

Does the term "document" in this law not include electronic documents? Or am I looking at the wrong law?

SegNerd
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1 Answers1

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I agree the more relevant limiting phrase is "issued by the state."

But then you have to consult the regulations that relate to the issuance of such licences. See Oregon Administrative Rules Division 62. Throughout, they refer to the licence as something physical:

  • it can be "surrendered,"
  • the DMV can invalidate a surrendered licence by "hole-punching the card,"
  • the card can be "destroyed," and
  • to be "issued," the DMV will "mail it to the address provided by the applicant at the time of the application."

Other provisions in the Oregon Revised Statutes also assume the licence to be something physical:

  • ORS 809.275: the court can take possession of the license and forward it to the Department of Transportation
  • ORS 810.310: the license can be used as a security deposit
Jen
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