Oregon Traffic Ticket Forgiveness Eligibility (2026)
Contributor
Reviewed By Adam Ramirez, J.D.
Editor
- Who Qualifies for Oregon Traffic Ticket Forgiveness?
- How to Check if Your Fines Were Forgiven
- Steps to Request Forgiveness or Remission
- What Happens After Fines Are Forgiven?
- Alternatives if Not Included in Remission Orders
- Timeline for Reinstating Your Driver's License
- Getting Help With Ticket Forgiveness in Oregon
What is the Oregon traffic ticket forgiveness program and who is eligible?
Quick Answer:
The Oregon traffic ticket forgiveness program generally allows certain unpaid traffic fines to be reduced or erased for drivers whose licenses were suspended for nonpayment before October 1, 2020. To qualify, you typically must have a traffic violation (not a misdemeanor or felony), have an Oregon address on file with the DMV and then check the governor remission lists to see if your case might already be included.
Summary
- Oregon offers traffic ticket forgiveness under certain circumstances
- Eligible people have suspended licenses because of nonpayment
- The sanction must have occurred before October 1, 2020
Oregon has a program that allows for the remission of fines and other fees imposed on someone for violating traffic laws. This program aims to help people who have had their licenses suspended because of a failure to pay. You must meet certain requirements, however.
Here’s what you need to know about Oregon traffic ticket forgiveness and whether you qualify.
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Who Qualifies for Oregon Traffic Ticket Forgiveness?
To be eligible to benefit from Oregon traffic ticket forgiveness, you must have been cited with a traffic violation, not a crime. This means you cannot have committed a traffic misdemeanor or felony, such as a repeat DUI.
Additionally, your license must have been suspended because of a failure to pay, and the DMV has to have an Oregon address on file. The sanction also has to have occurred before October 1, 2020.
How to Check if Your Fines Were Forgiven
To check if your fines were forgiven, you can look through the two lists of cases included in the remission orders. You can find a list for Governor Kotek and another for Governor Brown.
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Steps to Request Forgiveness or Remission
The governors both submitted a list of people whose fines will be forgiven. You cannot request to be on that list, but instead should already be included if you meet the criteria.
What Happens After Fines Are Forgiven?
If you see that your fines have been forgiven, you will need to speak with the DMV to have your license reinstated. Check your license status; if it’s “Valid,” you can start driving. If it says “Eligible,” you can apply for a new license. If the status is “Expired,” you can either renew it or apply for a new license.
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Alternatives if Not Included in Remission Orders
You can ask Oregon courts to forgive or reduce your debt if you’re not on these lists. You must first ensure you know exactly what you owe, and then write a request to the appropriate court to reduce the debt. Alternatively, you can ask to set up a payment plan.
Timeline for Reinstating Your Driver's License
It can take a few weeks for the court to let the DMV know that your case has been cleared.
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Getting Help With Ticket Forgiveness in Oregon
If you have questions about your eligibility for Oregon’s traffic ticket forgiveness program or need other legal services, the knowledgeable team at ConsumerShield can help. We can connect you with qualified attorneys in your area. Contact us to get started with a free case review today.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, you will typically need to pay an $85 reinstatement fee before you can start driving again.
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Yes, you may still be eligible for Oregon traffic ticket forgiveness if you have a hardship permit.
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If you are not on the remission lists, you may usually ask the court to forgive or reduce your remaining debt, or you might request a payment plan after confirming exactly what you owe, which could help you work toward license reinstatement even without automatic ticket forgiveness.
