Oregon Reckless Driving Laws: Penalties, Suspension and Racing (2026)

Oregon makes reckless driving a Class A misdemeanor under ORS 811.140: recklessly driving a vehicle on a highway or premises open to the public "in a manner that endangers the safety of persons or property" is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $6,250 (ORS 161.615, 161.635). A conviction also requires the Department of Transportation to suspend the driver's license, for 90 days on a first offense (ORS 809.411(3), 809.428(1)). Oregon names no speed at which driving becomes reckless; speeding is a separate traffic violation graded by miles per hour over the limit (ORS 811.109).

Information last verified on 2026-10-25. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Oregon state statutes on reckless driving (ORS 811.140), careless driving, speed racing and spectator exhibitions, the related license consequences in ORS chapter 809, and driving without driving privileges or while suspended. It does not cover DUII penalties (see Oregon DUI laws), vehicular homicide and assault (see Oregon manslaughter laws), city or county ordinances, or federal and commercial-driver rules beyond a short note. For other states, see reckless driving laws by state.

What is reckless driving in Oregon?

ORS 811.140(1) defines reckless driving in two forms. The first is the general offense:

"A person commits the offense of reckless driving if the person: (a) Recklessly drives a vehicle upon a highway or premises open to the public in a manner that endangers the safety of persons or property" ORS 811.140(1)(a)

The second form, added in 2023, covers spectator exhibitions. Under ORS 811.140(1)(b), a person commits reckless driving if the person:

"Operates a vehicle on a highway or premises open to the public and, in the presence of two or more persons assembled for the purpose of spectating the conduct, intentionally: (A) Breaks the traction of the vehicle's rear tires; or (B) Spins the vehicle's rear tires continuously by pressing the accelerator and increasing the engine speed in a manner that leaves marks on the surface upon which the vehicle is being driven." ORS 811.140(1)(b)

The mental state: recklessly

Oregon does not use the "willful or wanton" phrase found in many states. ORS 811.140(2) provides that "intentionally and recklessly have the meanings given those terms in ORS 161.085," and ORS 161.085 defines recklessly this way:

"Recklessly, when used with respect to a result or to a circumstance described by a statute defining an offense, means that a person is aware of and consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the result will occur or that the circumstance exists. The risk must be of such nature and degree that disregard thereof constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care that a reasonable person would observe in the situation." ORS 161.085

So the general form requires awareness of the risk and a conscious decision to disregard it, plus actual endangerment of persons or property. The spectator form requires intentional conduct in front of at least two people gathered to watch.

Where the reckless driving law applies

Both forms apply on "a highway or premises open to the public," so the offense is not limited to roads. ORS 801.026(3) exempts certain emergency, road-work and similar vehicles and equipment from the rules of the road in ORS chapter 811, "except that this subsection does not apply to: (a) Reckless driving, as defined in ORS 811.140."

Is reckless driving a misdemeanor in Oregon? Penalties

Yes. ORS 811.140(3) provides: "The offense described in this section, reckless driving, is a Class A misdemeanor." Oregon's general sentencing statutes set the maximums for that class:

• Jail: ORS 161.615(1) sets the maximum term "For a Class A misdemeanor, 364 days."
• Fine: ORS 161.635(1)(a) sets the maximum fine at "$6,250 for a Class A misdemeanor."

Both forms of reckless driving, the general endangerment form and the spectator exhibition form, carry the same Class A misdemeanor grade. A conviction also carries a mandatory license suspension, covered below.

Other reckless offenses that involve driving

• Reckless endangerment of highway workers. Under ORS 811.231, a person commits this offense "if the person drives a motor vehicle in a highway work zone in such a manner as to endanger persons or property or if the person removes, evades or intentionally strikes a traffic control device in a highway work zone." It "is a Class A misdemeanor," and a conviction carries a license suspension under ORS 809.411(6).
• Recklessly endangering another person. This general Criminal Code offense is not limited to vehicles. Under ORS 163.195, a person commits it "if the person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person," and it "is a Class A misdemeanor."

How fast is reckless driving in Oregon?

ORS 811.140 names no speed, and no margin over the limit, at which driving becomes reckless driving. Speeding is a separate traffic violation, and the general schedule in ORS 811.109 grades it by how far the driver exceeds the limit:

Each grade in that schedule is a traffic violation rather than a misdemeanor. On roads with a speed limit of 65 mph or higher, ORS 811.109(2) grades 10 mph or less over as a Class C violation, more than 10 and up to 20 over as Class B, and more than 20 over as Class A. Under ORS 811.109(5), driving 100 mph or more is a specific fine traffic violation with a presumptive fine of $1,150, and "upon conviction the court shall order a suspension of driving privileges for not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days." Under ORS 811.109(4), a court may order a suspension of up to 30 days when a driver exceeds the limit by more than 30 mph and has at least one prior speeding conviction under ORS 811.100 or 811.111 within 12 months. Speed can still be part of the facts in a reckless driving case, but the reckless driving statute itself does not turn on a number.

Reckless driving and your Oregon driver's license

A reckless driving conviction brings a mandatory suspension. ORS 809.411(1) provides that "Upon receipt of a record of conviction for an offense described in this section, the Department of Transportation shall suspend the driving privileges of the person convicted," and ORS 809.411(3) provides that "The department shall take action under subsection (1) of this section upon receipt of a record of conviction of reckless driving under ORS 811.140."

How long. ORS 809.428(1) sets the suspension periods:

• First offense: "Ninety days for a first offense or for any offense not described in paragraph (b) or (c) of this subsection."
• Second offense: "One year for a second offense, where the commission of the second offense and a conviction for a separate offense occur within a five-year period."
• Third or later offense: "Three years for a third or subsequent offense where the commission of the third or subsequent offense and two or more convictions for separate offenses occur within a five-year period."

Future responsibility filings. Under ORS 809.411(1), "The department may not reinstate driving privileges of any person whose privileges are suspended under subsection (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) or (9) of this section until the person complies with future responsibility filings." A reckless driving suspension is a subsection (3) suspension, so reinstatement requires those filings.

Discretionary suspension. ORS 809.421(1)(a) provides that the department "may suspend the driving privileges of a person who: (A) Is habitually incompetent, reckless or criminally negligent in the operation of a motor vehicle; or (B) Commits a serious violation of the motor vehicle laws of this state."

Habitual offender revocation. Under ORS 809.600, "A person's driving privileges shall be revoked as a habitual offender if the person, within a five-year period, has been convicted of three or more of any one or more of the following offenses," and the list includes "Reckless driving under ORS 811.140." The revocation "shall continue for a period of five years from the date of revocation." ORS 809.640 provides that when the department determines from a driving record that revocation is required, it "shall revoke the driving privileges of the person," and that "A person is entitled to administrative review of a revocation under this section."

No points. ORS chapter 809, which holds these suspension and revocation rules, contains no points schedule. License action for reckless driving comes through the mandatory suspension, the discretionary suspension and the habitual offender revocation above, and ORS 809.480 also lets the department's driver improvement program suspend driving privileges based on a person's record of convictions or accidents.

Commercial drivers. Under ORS 809.525, the Department of Transportation must suspend commercial driving privileges for 60 days on a second serious traffic offense committed within three years, and for 120 days on a third, where the offenses did not arise out of the same incident; the department designates serious traffic offenses by rule, uniform with federal regulations to the extent practicable. At the federal level, 49 C.F.R. 383.51 (Table 2) disqualifies a CDL holder for 60 days on a second reckless driving or other serious traffic violation conviction within three years and for 120 days on a third, and a conviction in a non-commercial vehicle counts only if it results in a revocation, cancellation or suspension of the license or non-commercial driving privileges. On national park roads, 36 C.F.R. 4.2 adopts state traffic law, so Oregon's reckless driving statute applies there too; the reckless driving laws by state hub covers the federal layer.

Careless driving in Oregon

Careless driving is Oregon's lower-tier offense, and it is a traffic violation rather than a misdemeanor. ORS 811.135(1) provides: "A person commits the offense of careless driving if the person drives any vehicle upon a highway or other premises described in this section in a manner that endangers or would be likely to endanger any person or property."

ORS 811.135 provides that the offense "applies on any premises open to the public and is a Class B traffic violation unless commission of the offense contributes to an accident. If commission of the offense contributes to an accident, the offense is a Class A traffic violation." Unlike ORS 811.140(1)(a), the careless driving section contains no "recklessly" element.

Fines. ORS 153.018(2) sets the maximum fine for an individual at "$2,000 for a Class A violation" and "$1,000 for a Class B violation." ORS 153.019(1) sets presumptive fines of "$440 for a Class A violation" and "$265 for a Class B violation."

Vulnerable users. When careless driving contributes to the serious physical injury or death of a vulnerable user of a public way, ORS 811.135(3) provides that "the court shall: (a) Impose a sentence that requires the person to: (A) Complete a traffic safety course; and (B) Perform between 100 and 200 hours of community service." The court must also order, but suspend on condition that the person completes those requirements, a fine of up to $12,500 and a one-year suspension of driving privileges (ORS 811.135(3)(b)). At a hearing set up to one year after sentencing, if the requirements are not completed, the court either grants an extension for good cause or orders those penalties (ORS 811.135(4)).

Street racing, burnouts and street takeovers in Oregon

Oregon splits racing conduct across three offenses with very different grades.

Speed racing on a highway (ORS 811.125). A person commits it if, on a highway, the person "drives a vehicle or participates in any manner in any of the following in which a vehicle is involved: (a) A speed competition or contest. (b) An acceleration contest. (c) A test of physical endurance. (d) An exhibition of speed or acceleration." The list continues with the making of a speed record, a race and a drag race (ORS 811.125(1)(e) to (g)). The section provides that it "is a Class A traffic violation and is applicable on any premises open to the public." That makes the race itself a violation, with a maximum fine of $2,000 and a presumptive fine of $440 (ORS 153.018, 153.019).

Spectator burnouts and traction-breaking (ORS 811.140(1)(b)). Breaking traction or continuously spinning the rear tires, leaving marks, in front of two or more people assembled to watch is reckless driving, a Class A misdemeanor. This form reaches burnouts performed for a crowd, as at a street takeover.

Organizing a speed racing event (ORS 811.127). A person commits this offense if the person, "to facilitate or aid another individual who is participating in an activity described in ORS 811.125 or 811.140 (1)(b): (a) Obstructs or places a barricade on a highway; or (b) Assists in placing an obstruction or barricade upon a highway." ORS 811.127(3) grades it:

• "(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, a Class A misdemeanor."
• "(b) For a person's second or subsequent conviction within a five-year period preceding the date of the person's current conviction, a Class C felony."

ORS 811.127(2) provides that "A person who organizes a speed racing event is not in violation of this section if the person has a permit from the road authority for the highway on which the event takes place."

ORS 161.605(3) sets the maximum prison term "For a Class C felony, 5 years," and ORS 161.625(1)(d) sets the maximum fine at "$125,000 for a Class C felony."

Is there a wet reckless in Oregon?

No. ORS chapter 813, which holds Oregon's DUII (driving under the influence of intoxicants) statutes, does not mention reckless driving, either as a reduced charge or as a prior offense. Instead, ORS 813.170(1) restricts plea agreements in DUII cases:

"Notwithstanding ORS 135.405 to 135.445, a person charged with the offense of driving under the influence of intoxicants shall not be allowed to plead guilty or no contest to any other offense in exchange for a dismissal of the offense charged. No district attorney or city attorney shall make any motion and no judge shall enter any order in derogation of this section. This section does not prohibit diversion as provided under ORS 813.200." ORS 813.170(1)

For DUII penalties and diversion, see Oregon DUI laws.

Driving without a license in Oregon

Oregon separates driving with no driving privileges, driving without the license in hand, and driving while suspended or revoked.

No driving privileges (ORS 807.010). A person commits the offense of operating a vehicle without driving privileges "if the person operates a motor vehicle upon a highway or premises open to the public in this state and the person does not have an appropriate grant of driving privileges from this state in the form of a license, driver permit, endorsement or statutory grant of driving privileges allowing the person to engage in the particular type of operation." The offense "is a Class B traffic violation," with a maximum fine of $1,000 (ORS 153.018).

License not carried or presented (ORS 807.570). The offense covers a person who "Drives any motor vehicle upon a highway in this state without a license, driver permit or out-of-state license in the person's possession," among other conduct. It "is a Class C misdemeanor." ORS 807.570(3) provides that "Except as provided in ORS 813.110, it is a defense to any charge under this section that the person so charged produce a license, driver permit or out-of-state license that had been issued to the person and was valid at the time of violation of this section."

Driving while suspended or revoked (ORS 811.175 and 811.182). The base offense, violation driving while suspended or revoked, covers a person who "Drives a motor vehicle upon a highway during a period when the person's driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges have been suspended or revoked in this state by a court or by the Department of Transportation." It "is a Class A traffic violation except as otherwise provided in ORS 811.182."

ORS 811.182 makes the conduct criminal driving while suspended or revoked for listed suspensions and revocations:

• Class A misdemeanor when the suspension or revocation is one of those listed in ORS 811.182(4), which currently include "A suspension for reckless driving under ORS 811.140," a suspension for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, and a habitual offender revocation.
• Class B felony when the underlying suspension or revocation resulted from listed homicide or assault offenses committed through vehicle operation, among other listed grounds. ORS 161.605(2) sets a Class B felony maximum of 10 years, and ORS 161.625(1)(c) a maximum fine of $250,000.
• DUII-based suspensions. Under ORS 811.182(5), if the underlying suspension resulted from driving under the influence of intoxicants, "the court shall impose a minimum fine of at least $1,000 if it is the person's first conviction" and "a minimum fine of at least $2,000 if it is the person's second or subsequent conviction."

Under ORS 809.720(1), an officer with probable cause may order the vehicle impounded for driving while suspended or revoked or for operating without driving privileges. Under ORS 163.196, driving while knowingly suspended or revoked, where the suspension or revocation resulted from a conviction for a criminal offense involving the use of a motor vehicle, and causing serious physical injury to or the death of another person is aggravated driving while suspended or revoked, a Class C felony.

The reckless driving predicate is changing. HB 4041 (2026 Or Laws ch. 14) deletes "(i) A suspension for reckless driving under ORS 811.140" from ORS 811.182(4). The act provides that those amendments "become operative on January 1, 2027" and "apply to conduct constituting, or alleged to constitute, a criminal offense occurring on or after January 1, 2027." Until then, the current text applies.

Fleeing or attempting to elude police in Oregon

ORS 811.540 covers a driver who flees or attempts to elude a pursuing police officer. When the person, "while still in the vehicle, knowingly flees or attempts to elude a pursuing police officer," the offense is a Class C felony; when committed as described in ORS 811.540(1)(b)(B), by fleeing on foot after leaving the vehicle, it is a Class A misdemeanor (ORS 811.540(3)). The section "is applicable upon any premises open to the public," and a conviction carries a license suspension under ORS 809.411(5). HB 4041 (2026) also amends ORS 811.540 (see the recent changes below).

Oregon reckless driving and related offenses: penalty table

The class maximums come from Oregon's general sentencing statutes: ORS 161.615 and 161.635 for misdemeanors (Class A: 364 days and $6,250; Class C: 30 days and $1,250), ORS 161.605 and 161.625 for felonies (Class B: 10 years and $250,000; Class C: 5 years and $125,000), and ORS 153.018 and 153.019 for traffic violations. For the full class table, see Oregon felony and misdemeanor classes.

Vehicular homicide and assault in Oregon

When reckless driving injures or kills someone, other Oregon offenses apply, including vehicular assault by recklessly operating a vehicle (ORS 811.060); see Oregon manslaughter laws.

Recent and upcoming changes to Oregon reckless driving law

• 2023: spectator exhibitions and organizing (SB 615). 2023 Or Laws ch. 158 (SB 615), approved June 6, 2023 and effective September 24, 2023, added the spectator exhibition form of reckless driving in ORS 811.140(1)(b) and rewrote ORS 811.127, so that organizing a speed racing event is a Class A misdemeanor, and a Class C felony for a second or later conviction within five years.
• January 1, 2027: driving while suspended (HB 4041, not yet operative). 2026 Or Laws ch. 14 deletes the reckless driving suspension from the list in ORS 811.182(4) that makes driving while suspended a crime, for conduct on or after January 1, 2027. The act also adds ORS 811.540(4), which, for conduct on or after January 1, 2027, directs the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to classify in-vehicle eluding in higher sentencing-guidelines crime categories when the driver has one or more prior eluding convictions within 10 years or the act results in physical injury or serious physical injury to another person; the Class C felony and Class A misdemeanor grades in ORS 811.540(3) do not change.
• No 2026 change to the reckless driving section. The 2026 Oregon Laws list of amended and repealed ORS sections includes ORS 811.182 and 811.540 (both amended by HB 4041) but not ORS 811.140, 811.135, 811.125 or 811.127.

Related Oregon laws

• Reckless driving laws by state
• Oregon DUI laws
• Oregon manslaughter laws
• Oregon felony and misdemeanor classes
• Oregon expungement laws
• Washington reckless driving laws

This article is general legal information about Oregon law, not legal advice. For a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Oregon, or Oregon DMV for driver's license questions.

Last updated: 2026-10-25.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is reckless driving a misdemeanor in Oregon?

Yes. ORS 811.140(3) makes reckless driving a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail (ORS 161.615) and a fine of up to $6,250 (ORS 161.635).

What counts as reckless driving in Oregon?

Recklessly driving a vehicle on a highway or premises open to the public in a manner that endangers the safety of persons or property, or intentionally breaking traction or spinning the rear tires in front of two or more spectators (ORS 811.140(1)). Recklessly means being aware of and consciously disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable risk (ORS 161.085).

How fast is reckless driving in Oregon?

ORS 811.140 names no speed. Speeding is a traffic violation graded under ORS 811.109, from a Class D violation for 1 to 10 mph over the limit to a Class A violation for more than 30 mph over, with higher grades on roads posted at 65 mph or more. Driving 100 mph or more is a specific fine traffic violation with a presumptive fine of $1,150 and a court-ordered suspension of 30 to 90 days (ORS 811.109(5)).

How many points is reckless driving in Oregon?

None under the statutes. ORS chapter 809 contains no points schedule. A reckless driving conviction instead requires a license suspension of 90 days for a first offense, with longer periods for repeat offenses within five years (ORS 809.411, 809.428).

How long is your license suspended for reckless driving in Oregon?

Under ORS 809.428(1), 90 days for a first offense, one year for a second offense where the offense and a conviction for a separate offense occur within five years, and three years for a third or later offense with two or more separate convictions within five years. Reinstatement also requires future responsibility filings (ORS 809.411(1)).

What is careless driving in Oregon?

Driving in a manner that endangers or would be likely to endanger any person or property (ORS 811.135). It is a Class B traffic violation, or Class A if it contributes to an accident, with a maximum fine of $1,000 or $2,000 (ORS 153.018).

Does Oregon have a wet reckless?

No. ORS chapter 813, the DUII chapter, does not mention reckless driving, and ORS 813.170 bars a plea of guilty or no contest to another offense in exchange for dismissal of a DUII charge, except for diversion under ORS 813.200.

Is street racing or a burnout a crime in Oregon?

Speed racing on a highway is a Class A traffic violation (ORS 811.125). Breaking traction or spinning the rear tires in front of two or more spectators is reckless driving, a Class A misdemeanor (ORS 811.140(1)(b)), and blocking a highway to help a race or exhibition is organizing a speed racing event (ORS 811.127).

Can reckless driving be a felony in Oregon?

Reckless driving itself is a Class A misdemeanor. Organizing a speed racing event becomes a Class C felony on a second or later conviction within five years (ORS 811.127), and fleeing a police officer while still in the vehicle is a Class C felony (ORS 811.540).

What is the penalty for driving without a license in Oregon?

Operating a vehicle without driving privileges is a Class B traffic violation (ORS 807.010), with a maximum fine of $1,000. Failing to carry or present a license is a Class C misdemeanor (ORS 807.570), and, except as provided in ORS 813.110, it is a defense to produce a license that was valid at the time. A Class C misdemeanor carries up to 30 days and a fine of up to $1,250 (ORS 161.615, 161.635).