According to the Oregon DMV if a court suspends or revokes your driving privileges the court may confiscate your driver license and return it to DMV.
If your driving privileges are suspended or revoked by DMV, a notice of suspension or revocation will be sent to the address on your driving record. If you have a license in your possession, it must be returned to a DMV office when the suspension or revocation begins. After the suspension or revocation begins, you may not drive any motor vehicle on highways or premises open to the public.
We are not aware of any other state that you could go to and obtain a driver's license while your OR license is suspended. All states check the National Driver Register (NDR) when a person applies for a driver's license and if person is listed here the Department of Motor Vehicles, or other licensing agency, will normally turn down the applicant until their licensing issue in their previous state has been taken care of and they have reinstated their license.
The NHTSA states that the NDR is a computerized database of information about drivers who have had their licenses revoked or suspended, or who have been convicted of serious traffic violations such as driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. State motor vehicle agencies provide NDR with the names of individuals who have lost their privilege or who have been convicted of a serious traffic violation. When a person applies for a driver's license the state checks to see if the name is on the NDR file. If a person has been reported to the NDR as a problem driver, the license may be denied.
You did not mention why you have received a lifetime (10 year) suspension of your driver's license in Oregon. Depending upon the reason your license was suspended you may be able to see about applying for a hardship license or a probationary permit.
If your license was suspended due to a conviction of a DUII then you may see about applying for a hardship permit though you would need to install an IID on your car.
An ignition interlock device (IID) is a computerized breath analyzer. An IID connects into a vehicle's ignition system. Prior to starting a vehicle equipped with an IID, the driver must provide a breath sample by blowing into the handset of the IID. The IID will prevent the vehicle from starting if the alcohol content in the driver's breath sample exceeds a preset limit.
Oregon requires a person convicted of DUII in Oregon to install an IID in order to:
- Receive a hardship permit during the DUII suspension.
- Fully reinstate Oregon driving privileges after the DUII suspension. The requirement starts on the last day of the DUII suspension and continues for one year for the first conviction of DUII and two years for a second or subsequent DUII conviction.
For some suspensions of driving privileges, you may be able to get a hardship permit that allows for driving privileges to:
- Go to and from work,
- Drive on the job,
- Get medical treatment,
- Seek employment, or
- Take part in an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program.
If your driving privileges have been revoked as a habitual offender you can apply for a probationary permit that allows for driving privileges to:
- Go to and from work,
- Drive on the job,
- Seek employment, or
- Take part in an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program
Hardship and probationary permits tell you exactly when and where you may drive; it will specify hours, days and routes. If you drive outside of these restrictions, law enforcement may cite you for driving while suspended or revoked. DMV may suspend or revoke your right to apply for a hardship or probationary permit for a period of up to one year. There are specific circumstances, if cited for driving while suspended, that DMV may suspend or revoke both the right to apply for a permit and driving privileges for a period of one year.
The Oregon DMV notes that no hardship or probationary permit is available if your driving privileges are revoked for a traffic crime or for violation of the restrictions of a hardship or probationary permit. In addition, persons suspended for either failure to appear or failure to comply are not eligible for a hardship permit.
To apply for either of these restricted licenses to drive you must:
- Complete a Requirements for a Hardship/Probationary Permit Application (this form is available online at the OR DMV site).
- Include all required documentation for the type of driving privileges you’re applying for (see page one of the Requirements for a Hardship/Probationary Permit Application).
- Pay the application fee. (This fee is non-refundable, even if the hardship or probationary permit is denied or later is suspended or revoked.)
Mail your application, required documentation and fees to DMV - Driver Suspension Unit, 1905 Lana Avenue NE, Salem OR 97314.
If you have more questions about if any specific state will allow you to obtain a license while your Oregon driving privileges are suspended contact the DMV of that state. While if you want to see if you are eligible for a hardship or probationary permit in Oregon, contact the DMV section of the Oregon DOT.