CDL Truck Driver in Oregon
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for OR. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Oregon.
Jobs (OR)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a cdl truck driver in Oregon
To become a CDL Truck Driver in Oregon, you must obtain a state license from the Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services (DMV). Key steps include completing FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), passing a general knowledge and skills test, and submitting an application with the required fees. Applicants must be at least 18 years old for intrastate driving or 21 for interstate, and a valid DOT medical certificate is mandatory. Oregon offers reciprocity for CDLs from other U.S. states and Washington D.C., waiving most knowledge tests, but no longer allows direct transfers from Mexico or Canada without testing.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Oregon. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Oregon requirements
| Licensing body | Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) |
| State license | Required |
| Education | FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) |
| Exam | CDL General Knowledge and Skills Test ($145) |
| Application fee | $160 |
| Renewal | Every 8.0 years |
| Notes | Applicants must be 18+ for intrastate or 21+ for interstate commerce. A valid DOT medical certificate is required. Federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required for new applicants. A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) must be held for at least 14 days before taking the skills test. The CDL knowledge test costs $10.00. The CLP fee is $40.00. Endorsements cost $26 each. Oregon no longer allows CDL transfers from Mexico or Canada without testing as of March 16, 2026. |
workspace_premium Oregon license tiers
Oregon offers multiple tiers of cdl truck driver licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Class A | N/A |
| Class B | N/A |
| Class C | N/A |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleOregon license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk