What are the residency requirements for living in Oregon while remaining a California resident?

Full question:

I came up to Portland, Oregon and moved into an apartment with a one year lease. However, I am still a Los Angeles resident, and have kept it so at this point. I have been here since August 9th. For number of reasons including physical (discussed with my doctor) it would be a good idea to return to CA when I can. My questions: How long can one remain on a visiting status in a state and keep the other State as official?--Do I still need to get an Oregon driver's license?--Are there other laws regarding legal residency and legal temporary residency? Thank you

• Category: Automobiles
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Oregon

Answer:

To obtain an Oregon driver's license or vehicle registration, you must be a resident of Oregon. According to Oregon law (ORS 803.355), a person is considered a resident if their primary home is in Oregon and they intend to stay or return if absent. If you have never made Oregon your home, you cannot be considered a resident.

Residency can be established through various actions, as outlined in ORS 803.200 and ORS 807.062. Once you establish residency in Oregon, you must register your vehicle and obtain an Oregon driver's license or permit. Failing to do so is a traffic violation, with vehicle registration being a Class D violation and driver's license failure being a Class B violation.

To determine if you are a resident of Oregon, consider these questions:

• Do you stay in Oregon for six months or more each year?
• Have you enrolled your children in an Oregon public school without paying nonresident tuition?
• Do you pay Oregon resident tuition at a public educational institution?
• Have you declared residency in Oregon for obtaining a state license?
• Is Oregon your home of record in military records?
• Do you pay resident income taxes in Oregon?

If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, you may be eligible for Oregon vehicle registration and a driver's license.

Additionally, a vehicle may qualify for Oregon registration even if the owner is not a resident if:

• The owner is a business with an office in Oregon.
• The vehicle is usually left in Oregon and used mainly for personal transportation.
• The vehicle is not a motor home or camper.

When registering a vehicle in Oregon, the owner must certify one of the following:

• The owner is domiciled in Oregon.
• The vehicle must be registered because the owner has established residency.
• The vehicle meets specific qualifications for registration.