Oregon DMV to offer no drive tests on eclipse day

If your driver license, instruction permit or identification card is expiring in August, you may want to go to DMV well before the Aug. 21 eclipse, officials advised Monday.

An estimated 1 million people are expected to visit Oregon to be in the path of totality across Oregon, and the unprecedented traffic will slow down travel for everyone – perhaps for days before, during and after the event.

The path of total darkness will cross Oregon from Lincoln City to Ontario on a Monday morning, but the dimming of the sun will be visible all over the United States. Oregon can expect traffic to be heavy everywhere across the state.

DMV is not scheduling any drive tests for the day of the eclipse, but it plans to open its offices. However, some offices may open late or not open at all, if staff cannot reach them due to traffic.

Obtaining or renewing a driver license, instruction permit or ID card is one of the few services that require you to visit DMV in person. If your card is expiring in August, you should consider visiting DMV as soon as possible to avoid the eclipse traffic. The cards can be renewed several weeks before the expiration date.

Many services can be done online or by mail. You can renew your vehicle registration, file a change of address or file notice of the sale of your vehicle at OregonDMV.com. You can also download forms for common transactions, such as a vehicle title transfer or application for a new license plate, and mail your form and check to DMV.

For the days before and after the eclipse, the Oregon Department of Transportation is urging visitors to come early, stay put and stay late to help spread out the anticipated traffic congestion. ODOT is asking Oregon residents to avoid travel around the eclipse if they can. Preparation ensures that visitors and residents both can enjoy this rare event.

Here are five ways to prepare for the eclipse: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Pages/Eclipse.aspx