As many are approaching the age and turning 16 during quarantine, the long awaited question arrives: can I still get my drivers license? With COVID regulations from the beginning of quarantine in March of 2020, many were unable to schedule appointments at the Department  of Motor Vehicles (DMV). More recently, however, appointments are able to be made and tests are able to be taken. The real question is how long will you have to wait. 

The wait for taking your drivers certification was already extremely long. The DMV has always been associated with sloth-like speed, and even more so now. Scheduling dates are accessible online through the Oregon DMV website, but the scheduling dates are insane in more ways than one. The dates are either extremely far in advance, or at a crazy far location. You’re either stuck with getting your license months later, or driving several hours. 

I recently took my drivers test and was able to schedule the driving portion close to home, but for the written test I was not so lucky. I drove 3 ½ hours to Pendleton, Oregon to take a 2 minute test. That’s a 7 hour round trip! However, I did make the mistake and scheduled my test very last minute so my options were very limited. 

Being able to drive by yourself is one of the best moments in your teenage career, so make sure to get it done ASAP. Schedule your test a few months in advance to ensure a spot close to home, or maybe you prefer driving long distances.