Oregon Legal Ages

Legal ages in Oregon

1. Age 2

   • Rear-facing car seat age requirement ends

     The law requires a rear-facing seat until age 2; after that a child may ride forward-facing.

     Oregon law · ORS 811.210(2)(a)

2. Age 6

   • Must be enrolled in school

     Oregon requires children to attend school, or approved private or home instruction, from age 6.

     Enrolled 5-year-olds must also attend.

     Oregon law · ORS 339.010(1)

3. Age 8

   • Car seat or booster age requirement ends

     The child car seat or booster requirement ends at age 8; after that a seat belt can be used.

     Earlier once the child is taller than 4 feet 9 inches.

     Oregon law · ORS 811.210(2)(c), (e)

4. Age 14

   • Can work limited hours in non-hazardous jobs (federal rule)

     Federal law lets 14- and 15-year-olds work in permitted non-hazardous jobs, outside school hours and within weekly hour limits.

     Limits: no more than 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week; 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week when school is out; only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day) (29 C.F.R. 570.35).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Can work (state minimum age)

     Oregon bars children under 14 from work in any place of business.

     The state labor bureau may allow ages 12 and 13 to work during school vacations of two weeks or more.

     Oregon law · ORS 653.320(2)

5. Age 15

   • Can get a learner's permit

     Oregon issues an instruction driver permit at 15.

     Oregon law · ORS 807.280(2)(a)

6. Age 16

   • Can work any non-hazardous job (federal rule)

     At 16, the general federal minimum working age applies: any job except those the Labor Department declares hazardous.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Can get a first license to drive alone

     A provisional license for driving alone is available at 16 after six months with a permit.

     Requires an instruction permit for at least six months and 50 hours of supervised driving.

     Oregon law · ORS 807.060(1), 807.065

   • Court emancipation (adult status) can be sought

     A minor can petition a court to be declared emancipated starting at age 16.

     The juvenile court decides based on the minor's best interests.

     Oregon law · ORS 419B.558(1)

   • Can pre-register to vote

     Oregon lets eligible residents pre-register to vote at 16; they can vote once they turn 18.

     Oregon law · ORS 247.016

7. Age 18

   • Can leave school (compulsory attendance ends)

     Oregon's compulsory attendance requirement ends at the 18th birthday.

     Ends earlier for a student who completes 12th grade.

     Oregon law · ORS 339.010(1)

   • No work permit needed

     Oregon employers need an annual state employment certificate to employ anyone under 18.

     The certificate is held by the employer, not the teen.

     Oregon law · ORS 653.310

   • Can work in jobs federal law calls hazardous

     At 18, the federal bar on jobs the Labor Department declares hazardous for minors ends for non-farm work.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Teen license limits end (varies, see rule)

     Provisional license passenger and midnight to 5 a.m. limits never apply to holders 18 or older.

     The limits apply only in the first year after the license is issued, so a teen licensed at 16 is free of them at 17.

     Oregon law · ORS 807.122(4)

   • Can get a tattoo without a parent's consent

     Tattooing is allowed from 18; the ban on tattooing minors ends at that age.

     Oregon law · OAR 331-915-0065(5)

   • Becomes a legal adult (age of majority)

     State law makes a person a legal adult, with full rights to contract and sue, at 18.

     Oregon law · ORS 109.621

   • Can make a will

     A person of sound mind can make a valid will at 18.

     A married or emancipated person under 18 can also make a will.

     Oregon law · ORS 112.225

   • Can marry without a parent's consent

     A person can marry without a parent's or court's consent at 18.

     Oregon law · ORS 106.010; Or Laws 2025 ch 224 (SB 548) ss 1, 3, 9

   • Can vote

     The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to vote at 18 in every federal, state and local election.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. amend. XXVI, § 1

   • Must register with Selective Service (men)

     Men 18 through 25 who are U.S. citizens or live in the United States must register with the Selective Service System.

     Men admitted on a nonimmigrant visa are exempt while they keep that status (50 U.S.C. 3802(a)).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 50 U.S.C. § 3802(a)

   • Can be called for state jury service

     A person can be called for state jury service from age 18.

     Oregon law · ORS 10.030(2)

   • Can be called for federal jury service

     Federal courts may call U.S. citizens 18 or older who have lived in the judicial district for a year.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(1)

   • Charged as an adult by default (juvenile court age ends)

     Oregon tries people charged with a crime in adult court by default from age 18; younger defendants start in juvenile court.

     A juvenile court can transfer some younger defendants to adult court for serious offenses.

     Oregon law · ORS 419C.005(1)

   • Can buy a lottery ticket

     State law bars selling lottery tickets to anyone under 18.

     Video lottery game terminals may not be operated by anyone under 21 (ORS 461.560(2)).

     Oregon law · ORS 461.560(1)

8. Age 21

   • Can drive a commercial truck across state lines

     Federal rules require drivers of commercial vehicles in interstate commerce to be at least 21.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 49 C.F.R. § 391.11(b)(1)

   • Adult adoptee can get the original birth certificate

     An adult adoptee can request a copy of the original birth certificate from age 21.

     Oregon law · ORS 432.228(1)

   • Can buy tobacco or vapes

     Federal law bars any retailer from selling cigarettes, vapes or other tobacco products to anyone under 21, in every state.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 21 U.S.C. § 387f(d)(5)

   • Can buy alcohol

     Federal highway funding law withholds funds from any state that lets anyone under 21 buy alcohol or possess it in public, so every state sets 21.

     Federal rules let states exempt possession (not purchase) for a religious purpose, with a parent, spouse or legal guardian 21 or older, for medical use, in private clubs, or in lawful employment (23 C.F.R. 1208.3).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 23 U.S.C. § 158(a)

   • Under-21 credit card limits end (no cosigner or independent income needed)

     Under 21, a card issuer may open a credit card only with a cosigner or proof that you can repay on your own.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 15 U.S.C. § 1637(c)(8)

9. Age 25

   • Can serve in the U.S. House

     The Constitution sets 25 as the minimum age for the U.S. House of Representatives.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. I, § 2, cl. 2

10. Age 30

    • Can serve as governor

      Oregon's constitution requires the governor to be at least 30 years old.

      Oregon law · Or. Const. art. V, § 2

    • Can serve in the U.S. Senate

      The Constitution sets 30 as the minimum age for the U.S. Senate.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. I, § 3, cl. 3

11. Age 35

    • Can serve as President

      The Constitution sets 35 as the minimum age for President.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. II, § 1, cl. 5

12. Age 62

    • Can start Social Security retirement benefits (reduced)

      Social Security retirement benefits can start at 62, permanently reduced.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · SSA, Retirement Benefits: Benefit reduction for early retirement

13. Age 65

    • Eligible for Medicare by age

      Medicare hospital insurance by age begins at 65 for people entitled, or who would be entitled, to Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · 42 U.S.C. § 426(a)

14. Age 67

    • Full Social Security retirement age (born 1960 or later)

      Full Social Security retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · SSA, Full Retirement and Age 62 Benefit By Year Of Birth

15. Age 70

    • Can ask to be excused from jury service because of age

      From age 70, a person can ask to be excused from jury service because of age.

      The request can be made by phone or mail.

      Oregon law · ORS 10.050(3)

16. Age 73

    • Retirement-account minimum withdrawals begin

      Required minimum distributions from traditional retirement accounts begin at 73 for people who turn 72 after 2022.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · 26 U.S.C. § 401(a)(9)(C)(v)

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