It's a limited license when you've lost your regular one. It generally only allows you to drive to and from work.
Here's info. from my state's website. Other states' policies differ.
Hardship and Probationary Cases
Although suspension prohibits driving, there are exceptions for hardship cases with a hardship or probationary permit (for habitual offenders). The exceptions could allow you to drive for:
Transportation to and from work
Driving related to employment
Medical treatment
Seeking employment
Participation in alcohol or drug treatment
Hardship permits allow for driving only noncommercial vehicles and must be granted by the DMV or courts. To find out if you are eligible, contact DMV at (503) 945-5400.You are not eligible if your license was revoked for a traffic crime or for violating a hardship permit. If your license was suspended for failure to appear or failure to comply, you are not eligible either.
If your suspension is for an uninsured accident or a minor in possession of alcohol, a hardship permit may be issued for basic needs, such as transporting children to and from school or day care, grocery shopping, or seeking medical treatment.
Oregon may issue a probationary permit if you have lost your license as a habitual offender. The probationary permit allows you to drive a car for:
Transportation to and from work
Driving related to employment
Seeking employment
Participation in alcohol or drug treatment
__________________
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."