Oregon's Distracted Driving Course: How to Get Your Fine Waived

Oregon has some of the toughest first-offense penalties for phone use behind the wheel in the country. A first violation of ORS 811.507 carries a maximum fine of $1,000.

It also offers a way out that most drivers never hear about. Under ORS 811.507(8), a court may suspend the fine entirely for a first offense if you complete an approved Distracted Driving Avoidance Course within 120 days of sentencing and provide proof to the court.

The result is a sentence of discharge with no fine at all. Not reduced. Discharged.

There is one thing it does not do, and you should know that before you decide.

What the Course Does and Does Not Do

The course waives the fine. It does not remove the violation, which stays on your driving record.

That distinction matters when you are weighing whether to bother. If your concern is a $1,000 bill, the course addresses it directly. If your concern is your record or your insurance, the course does not change that.

Three conditions apply:

• It must be your first conviction for this offense

• The violation must not have contributed to a crash

• You must complete the course and provide proof within 120 days of sentencing

The court may schedule a hearing to confirm you completed it. If you do not finish in time, the court can grant an extension for good cause, or impose the original fine.

The Penalties If You Do Nothing

Oregon escalates sharply, and the third offense stops being a traffic matter.

Only offenses on or after July 1, 2018 count toward the three-strikes rule.

The Red Light Misunderstanding

This is the single most common misconception about Oregon's law, and it costs people tickets.

Stopping at a red light does not make phone use legal. Oregon permits device use only when the vehicle is "stopped in a designated parking spot" or otherwise safely parked off the road. A stop light, a stop sign, or stopped traffic does not qualify.

The law also prohibits using a mobile electronic device for any purpose while driving, not merely holding one. Typing a message on a dash-mounted phone is a violation even though the device never leaves the mount.

What is permitted: hands-free or built-in device use if you are 18 or older, and a single touch or swipe to activate or deactivate a device.

Why Oregon Enforces It This Hard

The Oregon Department of Transportation reports that between 2019 and 2023 there were 1,987 crashes in Oregon involving drivers reported to have been using a cell phone, resulting in 26 fatalities and 1,790 injuries.

Over the same period, Oregon recorded more than 62,000 convictions under ORS 811.507.

The fine waiver exists because the Legislature decided that a first-time offender who learns something is a better outcome than one who simply pays. It is a genuine second chance, and it is available once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Oregon waive my distracted driving fine?

Yes, for a first offense that did not contribute to a crash. Completing an approved Distracted Driving Avoidance Course within 120 days of sentencing and providing proof to the court can result in a sentence of discharge with no fine.

Does the course remove the violation from my record?

No. The course waives the fine only. The violation remains on your driving record.

How long do I have to complete it?

One hundred twenty days from sentencing. If you miss that window, the court may grant an extension for good cause or impose the original fine.

Can I use my phone at a red light in Oregon?

No. Device use is only permitted when parked in a designated parking spot or safely off the road. Being stopped at a light or in traffic does not qualify.

What if it is my second offense?

The fine waiver applies to a first conviction only. A second offense is a Class A violation with a fine up to $2,000, and a third within 10 years becomes a Class B misdemeanor.

The Bottom Line

A first Oregon distracted driving conviction can cost up to $1,000, or nothing at all if you complete an approved course within 120 days and show the court proof. The violation stays on your record either way, so the decision comes down to whether waiving the fine is worth the course.

GoToTrafficSchool offers the Oregon DMV approved Distracted Driving Course online for $33.95, self-paced, with your certificate provided for submission to the court. Confirm your deadline and your court's proof requirements before you enroll.