Category: Ohio

Photo: Keith Cassill, Pexels

The Ohio BMV knowledge test has 40 multiple-choice questions on motor vehicle laws and traffic signs, and you need 75% (30 correct) to pass. This practice test is the same length, so you can time and score it like the real thing. All 40 questions are original and unofficial, written from the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws and Ohio law; they are not the BMV’s questions.

Ohio knowledge test: key facts

• 40 multiple-choice questions on laws and signs.
• Pass mark: 75%, which is 30 correct. You can miss 10.
• Taken online through BMV Online Services or in person, along with a vision screening.
• Passing leads to the Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC), from age 15 1/2.

How to apply and what to bring: the Ohio BMV knowledge test guide and taking the Ohio permit test online.

Signs, signals and markings (questions 1 to 12)

1. You can recognize a STOP sign from behind by its:

• A. Triangle shape
• B. Eight-sided shape
• C. Round shape
• D. Diamond shape

Answer: B. Only STOP signs are octagons, so the shape tells you what a sign means even from the back or in snow. Digest topic: signs.

2. What does a yellow diamond-shaped sign tell you?

• A. Services are available
• B. You must obey a law
• C. You are entering a park
• D. There may be a hazard or change in the road ahead

Answer: D. Yellow diamonds are warning signs for curves, intersections, merges and similar conditions. Digest topic: signs.

3. A five-sided sign is used for:

• A. Railroad crossings
• B. School zones and school crossings
• C. Hospitals
• D. Rest areas

Answer: B. The pentagon is the school sign shape. Expect children and lower speeds. Digest topic: signs.

4. The X-shaped white crossbuck sign means:

• A. An intersection of two highways
• B. A railroad crossing; yield to trains
• C. A closed road
• D. A bike crossing

Answer: B. The crossbuck marks the crossing itself. A round yellow sign warns of the crossing in advance. Digest topic: signs.

5. Orange construction signs mean you should:

• A. Ignore them on weekends
• B. Speed up to clear the zone
• C. Slow down and watch for workers, equipment and lane changes
• D. Use your high beams

Answer: C. Orange signs mark work zones, where fines are often higher and workers may be on the road. Digest topic: special situations, work zones.

6. A sign shows a P inside a red circle with a slash. It means:

• A. Parking ahead
• B. Police station
• C. Pedestrian zone
• D. No parking

Answer: D. A red slashed circle prohibits whatever is shown. Digest topic: signs.

7. A green sign with white letters gives you:

• A. Directions and distances
• B. A warning of a hazard
• C. A school notice
• D. A speed limit

Answer: A. Green signs are guide signs for destinations, routes and distances. Blue signs show services; brown signs show recreation. Digest topic: signs.

8. A flashing red light means:

• A. Go if the road is clear without stopping
• B. Stop completely, then proceed when safe
• C. Slow down
• D. Wait for a police officer

Answer: B. Treat a flashing red signal as a STOP sign. Digest topic: signals.

9. A steady red arrow pointing right means:

• A. The right lane is ending
• B. Do not turn right while the arrow is red
• C. Right turns only
• D. You may turn right after yielding

Answer: B. A red arrow stops movement in the direction it points until it changes. Digest topic: signals.

10. A flashing yellow left arrow means:

• A. Stop and turn left on red
• B. You may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
• C. You have a protected left turn
• D. Left turns are prohibited

Answer: B. Oncoming traffic has a green light during a flashing yellow arrow, so you must find a safe gap. Digest topic: signals.

11. A broken white line between two lanes means:

• A. Traffic moves in opposite directions
• B. Lane changes are illegal
• C. Traffic in both lanes moves in the same direction, and you may change lanes when safe
• D. The lane is for buses only

Answer: C. White lines separate same-direction lanes; broken means crossing is allowed when safe. Yellow lines separate opposite directions. Digest topic: pavement markings.

12. A solid yellow line on your side of a broken yellow center line means:

• A. Passing is allowed only at night
• B. You must turn left
• C. You may not pass
• D. You may pass

Answer: C. You may pass only when the broken line is on your side and it is safe. Digest topic: pavement markings.

Right of way, turns and intersections (questions 13 to 20)

13. Two drivers reach a four-way stop at the same moment. The other car is on your left. Who goes first?

• A. Neither; wait for a signal
• B. The car on your left
• C. You do
• D. The car turning left

Answer: C. The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right, so you, on the right, go first. Digest topic: rules of the road, right of way.

14. You want to turn left at an intersection with a solid green light. An oncoming car is approaching. You must:

• A. Yield to it and turn when it is safe
• B. Stop permanently until the light turns red
• C. Honk and turn
• D. Turn quickly in front of it

Answer: A. Left-turning drivers yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians unless they have a green arrow. Digest topic: right of way.

15. Unless a sign prohibits it, right on red in Ohio is allowed after:

• A. Waiting for the car behind you to honk
• B. A complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and traffic
• C. Slowing to 5 mph
• D. Flashing your lights

Answer: B. Stop fully, yield, then turn when safe. Digest topic: rules of the road.

16. An ambulance with siren and lights is coming up behind you. You should:

• A. Pull to the right edge of the road, clear of intersections, and stop until it passes
• B. Keep driving at the speed limit
• C. Move to the left lane
• D. Stop immediately in your lane

Answer: A. Yield to emergency vehicles by pulling right and stopping. Digest topic: sharing the road, emergency vehicles.

17. A pedestrian is crossing at an intersection without a marked crosswalk. You should:

• A. Yield to the pedestrian
• B. Honk and proceed
• C. Speed up to pass first
• D. Expect them to wait for you

Answer: A. Intersections have crosswalks whether marked or not. Yield to pedestrians crossing. Digest topic: sharing the road, pedestrians.

18. At a roundabout you should:

• A. Stop in the circle to let others in
• B. Yield to traffic already circulating and travel counterclockwise
• C. Enter to the left
• D. Speed up to merge

Answer: B. Slow down, yield on entry, keep right and go counterclockwise. Digest topic: rules of the road.

19. When merging onto a freeway from an entrance ramp, you should:

• A. Stop at the end of the ramp
• B. Merge at 25 mph
• C. Expect freeway traffic to stop
• D. Use the ramp to match the speed of traffic and merge into a safe gap

Answer: D. Build up speed on the ramp, signal, check your blind spot and fit into a gap. Digest topic: freeways.

20. You are making a right turn. You should:

• A. Turn from the left lane
• B. Turn without signaling if no one is behind
• C. Swing wide into the far lane
• D. Stay close to the right edge and turn into the nearest lane

Answer: D. Right turns start and end in the right-hand lane. Signal before you turn. Digest topic: rules of the road, turns.

Speed, space and sharing the road (questions 21 to 27)

21. The speed limit is 55 mph but the road is icy. The safe and legal speed is:

• A. 55 mph
• B. 60 mph to keep up with traffic
• C. Any speed with snow tires
• D. Slower than 55 mph, as slow as conditions require

Answer: D. You must never drive faster than is safe for conditions, whatever the sign says. Digest topic: rules of the road, speed.

22. At night, when should you switch from high beams to low beams?

• A. Only in cities
• B. Never on highways
• C. When approaching or following other vehicles, so you do not blind their drivers
• D. Only when it rains

Answer: C. Dim your lights for oncoming traffic and when following close behind another vehicle. Digest topic: special situations, night driving.

23. You are driving behind a motorcycle. You should:

• A. Follow closely, since motorcycles stop slowly
• B. Follow at the same distance as you would a car, or more
• C. Share its lane to pass
• D. Flash your lights so it moves over

Answer: B. Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane and can stop quickly. Never share a lane with one. Digest topic: sharing the road.

24. A truck ahead is making a wide right turn and swings left first. You should:

• A. Stay back and wait until it completes the turn
• B. Squeeze in beside it
• C. Pass it on the right
• D. Honk until it straightens

Answer: A. Large trucks need extra room to turn right. Passing on the right puts you in the squeeze zone. Digest topic: sharing the road, trucks.

25. You are behind a school bus that stops with its red lights flashing. You must:

• A. Slow down to 15 mph
• B. Stop only if children are near you
• C. Stop and not pass until the lights stop flashing and the bus moves
• D. Pass slowly on the left

Answer: C. Traffic behind a stopped school bus always stops. Whether oncoming traffic must stop depends on the road layout, so read the Digest. Digest topic: sharing the road, school buses.

26. A tow truck with flashing lights is stopped on the shoulder of a multi-lane road. You should:

• A. Stop behind it
• B. Keep going at the same speed in the next lane
• C. Move over a lane if you safely can, or slow down
• D. Flash your high beams as you pass

Answer: C. Move over laws protect responders and roadside workers. Digest topic: special situations.

27. Before backing out of a parking space, you should:

• A. Rely on your backup camera only
• B. Honk and go
• C. Check behind the vehicle and look over your shoulder as you back slowly
• D. Back quickly to get out of the way

Answer: C. Cameras and mirrors leave gaps. Check for children and pedestrians before and while you reverse. Digest topic: be alert.

OVI, alcohol and drugs (questions 28 to 32)

28. In Ohio, “OVI” stands for:

• A. Out of state vehicle insurance
• B. Operating a vehicle impaired, under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• C. Overweight vehicle infraction
• D. Official vehicle inspection

Answer: B. OVI is Ohio’s name for impaired driving and covers drugs of abuse as well as alcohol. See the Ohio OVI guide. Digest topic: state laws and penalties.

29. A driver under 21 in Ohio is breaking the law at a BAC of:

• A. 0.02% or more
• B. 0.05% or more
• C. 0.08% or more only
• D. 0.10% or more

Answer: A. At 0.02% to 0.07% an under-21 driver commits OVUAC (operating a vehicle after underage alcohol consumption). At 0.08% it is OVI. Digest topic: state laws and penalties.

30. What is the BAC limit for Ohio drivers 21 and older?

• A. 0.02%
• B. 0.04%
• C. 0.08%
• D. 0.10%

Answer: C. The limit is 0.08% for adults and 0.04% for commercial drivers. Digest topic: state laws and penalties.

31. You are arrested for OVI and refuse a chemical test for the first time. What happens?

• A. A fine only
• B. Nothing until a court decides
• C. An Administrative License Suspension of 1 year starts straight away
• D. A 30-day warning period

Answer: C. A first refusal brings a 1-year Administrative License Suspension, which starts before any trial. A first positive test brings 90 days. Digest topic: state laws and penalties.

32. Which is the only reliable way to sober up?

• A. Fresh air
• B. Coffee
• C. Exercise
• D. Time

Answer: D. The body removes alcohol at a steady rate. Nothing speeds it up. Digest topic: be alert, impairment.

TIPIC, probationary license and phone rules (questions 33 to 39)

33. What is the earliest age you can hold an Ohio TIPIC?

• A. 14 1/2
• B. 15
• C. 15 1/2
• D. 16

Answer: C. Teens can hold the Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card from 15 1/2. Digest topic: how to get your driver license.

34. How many supervised hours must an Ohio teen record on the Fifty Hour Affidavit (BMV 5791)?

• A. 30, including 5 at night
• B. 40, including 6 at night
• C. 50, including 10 at night
• D. 65, including 10 at night

Answer: C. At least 50 hours, 10 of them at night, on the notarized affidavit. Digest topic: how to get your driver license.

35. During the first 12 months on an Ohio probationary license, you may not drive alone between:

• A. 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• B. Midnight and 6 a.m.
• C. 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
• D. 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Answer: B. Midnight to 6 a.m. for the first 12 months, unless a parent or guardian is with you or an exception such as documented work applies. After 12 months the hours become 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. See Ohio probationary license rules. Digest topic: probationary license.

36. After 12 months on a probationary license (and until 18), the restricted hours are:

• A. Midnight to 6 a.m.
• B. None
• C. 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
• D. 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Answer: C. The night restriction narrows to 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., with the same exceptions. Digest topic: probationary license.

37. In the first 12 months on a probationary license, how many non-family passengers may you carry without a parent or guardian in the car?

• A. One
• B. Three
• C. None
• D. Two

Answer: A. No more than one non-family passenger during the first 12 months, unless a parent or guardian is present. Digest topic: probationary license.

38. A 16-year-old in Ohio may use a phone while driving:

• A. Only for music
• B. Only at red lights
• C. Not at all, even hands-free, except to call for help in an emergency
• D. Hands-free only

Answer: C. TIPIC and probationary license holders under 18 may not use a wireless device in any manner while driving, hands-free included. Digest topic: be alert, distractions.

39. Ohio suspends a driver’s license when the driver collects how many points within two years?

• A. 6
• B. 8
• C. 12
• D. 18

Answer: C. 12 points within two years leads to suspension. Teens also face extra penalties for violations on a probationary license. Digest topic: state laws and penalties.

Emergencies (question 40)

40. Your rear wheels start to skid on a wet road. You should:

• A. Turn the wheel sharply the other way
• B. Ease off the gas and steer gently in the direction you want the car to go
• C. Accelerate hard
• D. Slam on the brakes

Answer: B. Look and steer where you want to go, avoid hard braking and make smooth corrections. Digest topic: emergencies.

Your score against the Ohio standard

Correct out of 40	What it means
36 to 40	Comfortably ready
30 to 35	A pass on the 75% standard. Review your misses.
Under 30	A fail. Go back to the Digest, signs first.

The Ohio BMV also publishes a sample test. Use it with this one, and with the two-week study plan in the knowledge test guide.

Common questions

Are these the real Ohio BMV questions?

No. These are original, unofficial practice questions written from Ohio law and the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws.

How many questions can I miss on the Ohio permit test?

10. You need 30 of 40 correct (75%).

Can I take the Ohio permit test online?

Yes, through BMV Online Services, but attempt limits apply. Check the current rules before you start. See taking the Ohio permit test online.

Is the test only about road signs?

No. It covers Ohio motor vehicle laws and traffic signs, so expect questions on OVI, right of way and teen license rules too.

What comes after I pass?

Get your TIPIC at a deputy registrar, then log your 50 hours and complete driver training if it applies to you. See learning to drive in Ohio and Ohio driver training for under 21s.

Are there practice tests for other states?

See US permit practice tests by state.

Sources

• Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Driver License & ID Cards” (bmv.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, “Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws”, including Section 12 (publicsafety.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Revised Code, “Section 4507.071, Probationary license restrictions” (codes.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Revised Code, “Section 4511.205” (codes.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Fifty Hour Affidavit (BMV 5791)” and form BMV 2401 (dam.assets.ohio.gov)

Photo: Raymond Wambsgans, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Ohio BMV knowledge test is the written test of Ohio’s traffic laws and road signs you pass, along with a vision screening, before you can get a Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC). This guide is for first-time Ohio applicants: what the test covers, what to bring, how to study and what happens after you pass.

Key facts

• The Ohio BMV describes a complete driver license exam as a vision screening, a written test of Ohio’s laws and signs, and a road test for driving and maneuverability.
• The knowledge test and vision screening come first and lead to the TIPIC.
• Study from the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws, the BMV’s driver manual.
• 40 multiple-choice questions on Ohio traffic laws and signs. You need 75% (30 correct) to pass.
• Fail and you wait at least 24 hours to retest. In person there is no limit on attempts; online you get two attempts in six months. Other states compared: how many questions are on the permit test.

What is on the Ohio knowledge test?

Two areas: Ohio traffic laws and road signs. In practice, the Digest sections that feed the test are:

Digest topic	What to know cold	Extra help
Rules of the Road	Speed, right of way, turns, passing, school buses, parking	Basic speed law, four-way stops, school buses
Signs, signals, markings	Sign shapes and colors, signal meanings, lane lines	Road signs by shape and color, traffic signals, pavement markings
State laws and penalties	OVI (Ohio’s term for impaired driving), test refusal, suspensions	Ohio OVI law for new drivers
Teen license rules	Permit and probationary restrictions	Ohio probationary license rules
Sharing the road	Pedestrians, cyclists, trucks, emergency vehicles	Sharing the road, move over laws

What to bring to the Ohio BMV

• Proof of five elements: full legal name, date of birth, legal presence in the US, Social Security number and Ohio street address. The BMV’s Acceptable Documents List shows which documents prove which element (a birth certificate or US passport covers name, date of birth and legal presence; a Social Security card covers the number).
• Address proof: one document for a standard card; two documents from different sources for a compliant (REAL ID) card. See REAL ID and your first license.
• Application: form BMV 5745 (standard or compliant version), which you sign in front of the BMV processing employee.
• Glasses or contacts if you need them for the vision screening.
• A parent, guardian or custodian if you are under 18, to cosign. See Ohio TIPIC rules for what cosigning means.

Can you take the Ohio knowledge test at home?

See taking the Ohio permit test online for the remote option and what to check before you choose it.

How to study for the Ohio knowledge test: a two-week plan

1. Days 1 to 3: read the Digest sections on rules of the road. Make a list of every number you see (distances, speeds, times). Those are easy test questions and easy to forget.
2. Days 4 to 6: signs, signals and markings. Learn shapes and colors first; you can often answer a sign question from shape alone.
3. Days 7 to 9: OVI, penalties and teen license rules.
4. Days 10 to 12: sharing the road, special situations (night, fog, winter, work zones) and emergencies.
5. Days 13 to 14: timed practice from the Digest and any BMV sample test. Reread every topic you get wrong.

If you fail the Ohio knowledge test

You can retest after at least 24 hours. In-person attempts are unlimited, one a day; online you get two attempts in a six-month period, 24 hours apart. Spend the gap on the topics you missed rather than on more random practice questions.

After you pass

Passing does not give you the permit on the spot: you then apply for the TIPIC with your documents and BMV 5745 at a BMV deputy registrar. Check with the BMV how long your passed result stays valid, so it does not lapse. Once you have the permit, start logging hours on the Ohio 50-hour affidavit.

Common questions

How many questions can I miss on the Ohio permit test?

Up to 10. The test has 40 questions and you need 30 correct (75%). Compare other states in the permit test by state table.

Is the vision screening the same day?

The vision screening is part of the same exam process as the knowledge test. Bring your glasses or contacts.

Do I need my parent with me to take the Ohio permit test?

If you are under 18, a parent, guardian or custodian cosigns your permit application, so bring one when you go for the TIPIC.

Is the Ohio test only about signs?

No. The BMV calls it a written test of Ohio’s laws and signs, so expect both.

What does OVI mean on the Ohio test?

Operating a vehicle impaired. It is Ohio’s name for what other states call DUI. See the Ohio OVI guide.

Back to the full guide to learning to drive in Ohio.

Sources

• Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Driver License & ID Cards”, knowledge test section (bmv.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, “Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 1: How to Get Your Driver License” (publicsafety.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Acceptable Documents List: Standard DL-ID Card (BMV 2424, 5/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Acceptable Documents List: Compliant DL-ID Card, Spanish edition (BMV 2431, 5/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Application Information for Standard and Compliant Ohio Driver License or ID Card (BMV 5745, 12/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Eligible Adult In Loco Parentis Affidavit (BMV 2438, 7/18)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)

Photo: Jay Brand, Pexels

To get a driver license in Ohio you pass a vision screening and a written test of Ohio’s laws and signs, drive on a Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC), log supervised practice, then pass a road test with a driving part and a cone maneuverability part. This guide is for first-time Ohio drivers and their parents. It sets out each step in order and links to a detailed guide for each one.

Key facts

• Permit: the TIPIC. Teens can hold one from 15 1/2.
• Supervised practice: at least 50 hours, including 10 at night, recorded on the notarized Fifty Hour Affidavit (BMV 5791) for every applicant under 21 (R.C. 4507.21).
• Driver training: required at a licensed school for younger applicants, and the age range has recently expanded. See Ohio driver training for under 21s.
• Exam: the BMV describes a complete exam as a vision screening, a written test of Ohio’s laws and signs, and a road test for driving and maneuverability.
• ID: proof of five elements: full legal name, date of birth, legal presence, Social Security number and Ohio street address.
• Handbook: the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws, the BMV’s driver manual.

How to get a driver’s license in Ohio: step by step

1. Study the Digest. Focus on the rules of the road and signs, which the knowledge test covers.
2. Gather your documents. One address document for a standard card, two from different sources for a compliant (REAL ID) card. See REAL ID and your first license.
3. Pass the vision screening and knowledge test. In person, or remotely if you qualify. See the Ohio BMV knowledge test guide and taking the Ohio permit test online.
4. Get your TIPIC. Complete form BMV 5745 at a BMV deputy registrar. Under 18s need a parent, guardian or custodian to cosign.
5. Drive with a qualifying supervisor. See Ohio TIPIC rules and who can supervise.
6. Complete driver training if it applies to you.
7. Log at least 50 hours (40 day, 10 night). See the Ohio 50-hour affidavit checklist.
8. Hold your permit for at least six months if you are under 18. You must also be at least 16 to get a probationary license. Applicants 18 to 20 do not have the six-month wait.
9. Pass the road test. Both parts: the maneuverability test and the on-road driving test.
10. Get your license. Teens start on a probationary license with night, passenger and device restrictions.

The Ohio forms you will meet

Form	What it is	Who needs it
BMV 5745	Application for an Ohio driver license, ID card or TIPIC (standard and compliant versions)	Everyone; signed in front of BMV staff
BMV 2424	Acceptable Documents List for a standard card	Everyone, to choose ID documents
BMV 2438	Eligible Adult In Loco Parentis Affidavit, notarized	TIPIC holders aged 15 1/2 to 16 supervised by an adult 21+ acting in place of a parent
BMV 5791	Fifty Hour Affidavit and supervised driving log, notarized	All applicants under 21

Already licensed or new to Ohio?

• Moving from another state or country: moving to Ohio and transferring your license.
• Adults who fail the road test: Ohio abbreviated adult driver training.

What the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws covers, and where to go deeper

Digest topic	Read next
Section 1: How to Get Your Driver License	This guide; GDL laws compared
Section 2: Before You Drive (vehicle condition, lights, mirrors, seat belts)	Ohio driving test vehicle check; seat belt laws
Section 3: Be Alert (fatigue, distraction, impairment)	Ohio hands-free law; drugged driving
Section 4: Rules of the Road (speed, right of way, signs and pavement markings) and Section 5: Learning to Drive	speed limits; four-way stops; right on red; school buses; parking
Signs, signals and markings (in Section 4)	road signs; traffic signals; pavement markings
Section 6: State Laws and Penalties (OVI, refusal, suspensions)	Ohio OVI law for new drivers; implied consent; zero tolerance under 21; points
Section 7: Special Driving Situations and Section 8: Safe Driving Tips (night, fog, winter, work zones, freeways)	snow, fog and rain; move over laws
Section 9: Sharing the Road	trucks, bikes and motorcycles; pedestrians; emergency vehicles
Section 10: Emergency Situations (breakdowns, crashes)	after a crash
Freeway driving (Sections 7 and 8)	merging onto a freeway
Section 11: Taking the Driving Test; Section 12: Purchase Your Driver License; Section 13: What Else Should I Know?	maneuverability test; driving test; common fails

Ohio teen rules at a glance

• Knowledge test: 40 multiple-choice questions on laws and signs; 30 correct (75%) to pass. Compare permit tests by state.
• TIPIC: from 15 1/2. Under 18, no driving from midnight to 6 a.m. unless a parent, guardian or custodian is with you.
• Driver training (under 21): 24 hours of classroom or online instruction plus 8 hours behind the wheel at a licensed school.
• Probationary license: at 16 at the earliest, after six months on the TIPIC. First 12 months: no driving midnight to 6 a.m. and no more than one non-family passenger unless a parent or guardian is with you. After that, until 18: no driving 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
• Under 18: no use of any electronic wireless device while driving, hands-free included.
• Road test: fail either part with more than 25 points; you can retest from the second calendar day after a fail.
• Fees at the deputy registrar change, so check the BMV fee list before you go.

A bill reported in 2026 would lengthen the TIPIC holding period and some teen restrictions. Check with the BMV whether it has become law before you plan your test date.

For parents: cosigning and insurance

When you cosign a minor’s permit or license, BMV 2438 explains you can be held jointly and severally liable for the minor’s driving, unless the minor carries proof of financial responsibility of at least $25,000 per person injured, $50,000 for two or more people and $25,000 for property damage, per accident. You can also surrender the minor’s permit or license to the BMV and ask for it to be canceled. See car insurance for new drivers.

Common questions

How old do you have to be to get a permit in Ohio?

Ohio TIPIC holders can be as young as 15 1/2.

How many hours do you need to drive with a permit in Ohio?

At least 50, including 10 at night, logged on BMV 5791 and signed in front of a notary. This applies to every applicant under 21, not just under 18s.

Is Ohio’s road test hard?

The cone maneuverability test catches many people out because most states don’t use it. Practice it with real cones. See the maneuverability guide.

Do adults need a permit in Ohio?

Yes. New drivers of any age pass the knowledge test and hold a TIPIC before the road test. Under 21, you also need driver training at a licensed school. At 21 and over there is no required course unless you fail the road test (see the abbreviated adult course). Under 21, you also need the 50-hour affidavit (BMV 5791), as R.C. 4507.21 requires it for all applicants under 21.

What documents do I need for an Ohio permit?

Proof of full legal name, date of birth, legal presence, Social Security number and Ohio street address, plus form BMV 5745.

Can I learn on an Ohio permit and drive in another state?

See driving with a permit in another state.

More: the national guide to getting a license in the US, supervised hours by state and road tests by state.

Sources

• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Fifty Hour Affidavit (BMV 5791, 9/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Eligible Adult In Loco Parentis Affidavit (BMV 2438, 7/18)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Acceptable Documents List: Standard DL-ID Card (BMV 2424, 5/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Acceptable Documents List: Compliant DL-ID Card, Spanish edition (BMV 2431, 5/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Application Information for Standard and Compliant Ohio Driver License or ID Card (BMV 5745, 12/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Request for Statement of Physician (BMV 2310, 11/23)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)

Photo: Raymond Wambsgans, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Ohio, impaired driving is called OVI: operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are under 21, the limit is 0.02%, not 0.08%. A first offense can cost a teen their license and force them to start again from a permit. This guide covers the OVI limits, what happens if you refuse a test, and the other ways new Ohio drivers lose their license.

Key facts

• Limits: 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over, 0.02% for drivers under 21, 0.04% for commercial drivers.
• Under 21 at 0.02% to 0.07%: this is OVUAC (operating a vehicle after underage alcohol consumption). It can lead to a court-ordered suspension.
• Arrest for OVI: an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) starts straight away. For a first offense, a positive test brings 90 days and a refusal brings 1 year. The suspension starts before any trial.
• Getting your license back after an OVI-related suspension: a $475 reinstatement fee plus proof of insurance, for offenses on or after September 30, 2008 (BMV 2401, revision 11/15; check the current fee).
• Points: 12 points within two years means a suspension.

Ohio OVI and OVUAC limits

Driver	Prohibited level	Offense
Under 21	0.02% to 0.07%	OVUAC
Under 21	0.08% or above	OVI
21 or older	0.08% or above	OVI
Commercial driver	0.04% or above	OVI (commercial)

OVI covers drugs of abuse as well as alcohol. Ohio also has a separate offense, “physical control”: sitting in the driver’s seat with the key or ignition device while impaired, even if the car is not moving (BMV 2401). See drugged driving and cannabis.

What happens if you refuse a breath test in Ohio?

If an officer arrests you for OVI and asks for a chemical test, refusing brings its own suspension.

• Refuse: an ALS for refusal. A first refusal means 1 year. Prior refusals or OVI convictions in the last 10 years make it longer.
• Test over the limit: an ALS for a positive test. A first offense means 90 days. Prior offenses make it longer.
• Appeal: you can appeal the ALS at your first court appearance, which is held within five days of the arrest. You can also appeal within 30 days after that appearance (BMV 2401).
• The ALS is separate from any court sentence for the OVI charge itself.

More on how this works across the US: implied consent and DUI and zero tolerance laws for under 21s.

OVI and OVUAC for drivers under 18

For a teen on a probationary license, an alcohol offense costs more than a fine. It sends you back to the start (BMV 2401):

1. A six-month suspension, for OVUAC (0.02% to 0.07%) or OVI (0.08% or above).
2. A juvenile driver improvement program.
3. A $40 reinstatement fee (check the current amount).
4. At the end, you buy a new temporary permit and retake the full license exam: knowledge test, vision screening and road test.

For an under-18 OVUAC suspension, the law makes no provision for limited driving privileges. That means no court permit to drive to school or work.

Ages 18 to 20: if a court suspends your license for OVUAC, you must complete a remedial driving course, pay a $40 reinstatement fee, show proof of insurance and retake the full exam (BMV 2401).

Other ways new Ohio drivers lose their license

Trigger	What BMV 2401 says you must do
Two moving violations before 18	Probationary revocation: juvenile driver improvement program, $40 fee, then a new permit and the full exam
Three moving violations before 18	One-year suspension, plus the same steps
12 points within two years (any age)	Remedial driving course, SR-22 insurance filing for three years, $40 fee, retake the full exam
Using someone else’s license, or an altered one, to buy alcohol under age	One-year suspension and a $40 fee; retake the exam if the license was altered
Court finding linked to drugs or alcohol (juvenile)	Complete a substance abuse intervention program or serve the suspension
Dropping out, habitual unexcused absence, or a school suspension for alcohol or drugs	Suspension until the juvenile court or the school superintendent clears it

Fees are from BMV 2401 (revision 11/15). Confirm current amounts with the Ohio BMV. Phone offenses add points too: see Ohio’s hands-free law. For the extra limits on teen licenses, see Ohio probationary license rules.

Common questions

What is the difference between OVI and DUI in Ohio?

Nothing practical. OVI is Ohio’s legal term for what other states call DUI or DWI.

Can I drink one beer and drive at 19 in Ohio?

Don’t. The under-21 limit is 0.02%, and it takes very little alcohol to reach it.

How long is a first OVI suspension in Ohio?

The ALS is 90 days for a first test over the limit and 1 year for a first refusal. A court can add its own suspension after a conviction.

Do I have to retake my driving test after a teen OVI suspension?

Yes. Under-18 OVI and OVUAC suspensions require a new temporary permit and the full exam.

How many points before Ohio suspends my license?

12 points within two years.

Can I get driving privileges for work during a suspension?

For some suspensions a court can grant limited privileges. An under-18 OVUAC suspension has no such provision.

How do I pay a reinstatement fee?

BMV 2401 says fees can be paid online at oplates.com or by check or money order to the “Ohio Treasurer of State”. Do not send cash. The BMV suggests sending your requirements about 20 days before the suspension ends.

National overview: points systems and license suspensions in the US. Back to the Ohio learner driver guide.

Sources

• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Driver License Reinstatement Procedures (BMV 2401, 11/15)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, “Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 6: State Laws and Penalties” (publicsafety.ohio.gov), search-result extract only

Photo: Reina Findley, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ohio’s distracted driving law bans every driver from holding or using a phone while driving. Drivers under 18 face a stricter rule: no phone use at all, even hands-free. This guide explains what each rule allows, the penalties, and how they affect learners and new drivers.

Key facts

• In force: the hands-free law for all drivers took effect on April 4, 2023. For the first six months officers could only give written warnings. Full enforcement followed.
• Primary offense: police can stop you just for using a phone. They must see you using, holding or supporting the device.
• First offense (18 and over): a fine of up to $150 and 2 points, unless you complete a distracted driving safety course. Repeat offenses carry higher fines and more points. Check the current figures with the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
• Under 18: TIPIC and probationary license holders may not use a wireless device in any manner while driving. This includes hands-free calls (Ohio Revised Code 4511.205).

What you can and can’t do with a phone in Ohio

Action while driving	Driver 18 or older	Driver under 18 (TIPIC or probationary)
Hold or support the phone	Not allowed	Not allowed
Type, text, or enter letters or numbers	Not allowed	Not allowed
Hands-free call (Bluetooth, speaker, earpiece)	Allowed	Not allowed
Single touch or swipe to answer or end a call	Allowed	Not allowed
Hold the phone to your ear for a call	Allowed	Not allowed
GPS navigation	Allowed if you don’t hold it or type; set the route before you drive	Only voice-operated or hands-free, and you must not touch it while driving
Emergency call (police, fire, hospital)	Allowed	Allowed

The safest habit for a learner is the under-18 rule: phone on Do Not Disturb and out of reach, with the route set before you move.

Penalties for using a phone while driving in Ohio

Drivers 18 and older

• First offense: a fine of up to $150 and 2 points on your license. A distracted driving safety course can avoid the points.
• Repeat offenses within two years: higher fines and more points. A third offense can bring a license suspension.
• Points add up with other violations. Ohio suspends a license at 12 points within two years (BMV 2401). See Ohio OVI law and license suspensions.

Drivers under 18

• Breaking the under-18 device ban (Ohio Revised Code 4511.205) brings a $150 fine and a 60-day suspension of your license or permit. If you were already adjudicated for the same offense, it is $300 and a one-year suspension.
• Any moving violation also counts toward a probationary suspension. Under BMV 2401, two moving violations before 18 means a juvenile driver improvement program, a $40 reinstatement fee and retaking the full license exam. A third means a one-year suspension (fee as listed in BMV 2401, revision 11/15; check the current amount).

Scenarios new Ohio drivers ask about

• You are 17 and your parent calls. Don’t answer, even on Bluetooth. Pull over and park safely first.
• You are 19 and on the permit. The adult rules apply to you. Hands-free calls are allowed, but you are still learning, so keep the phone away.
• Your supervising adult is in the passenger seat. The rules apply to the driver. Let your supervisor handle navigation and messages.
• Stopped at a red light. You are still driving. Don’t pick up the phone.

Common questions

Can I use Bluetooth at 17 in Ohio?

No. Drivers under 18 with a TIPIC or probationary license cannot use a wireless device in any manner while driving, and that includes hands-free calls.

Can I use GPS as a teen driver in Ohio?

Yes, if it is voice-operated or hands-free and you don’t touch it while driving. Set the route before you leave.

Is texting at a stop light allowed in Ohio?

No. You are still operating the vehicle.

Can police stop me just for holding my phone?

Yes. Phone use is a primary offense. The officer must see you using, holding or supporting the device.

Can the police search my phone?

Not without a warrant or your consent.

Can I avoid the points for a first offense?

Yes. For drivers 18 and older, completing a distracted driving safety course after a first offense avoids the 2 points. Check how to enroll with the court that handles your ticket.

What should I do with my phone on the Ohio road test?

Switch it off and put it out of reach before you start. See the Ohio driving test.

Related: Ohio probationary license rules, Ohio TIPIC rules, and hands-free laws in other states. Back to the Ohio learner driver guide.

Sources

• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Driver License Reinstatement Procedures (BMV 2401, 11/15)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Revised Code, “Section 4511.205” (codes.ohio.gov), search-result extract only
• Ohio Revised Code, “Section 4511.204 Driving while texting (4-4-2023)” (codes.ohio.gov), search-result extract only
• Office of the Governor of Ohio, “Governor DeWine Signs Bill that Strengthens Distracted Driving Laws in Ohio” (governor.ohio.gov), search-result extract only
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, “Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 3: Be Alert” (publicsafety.ohio.gov), search-result extract only

Photo: Eyes2Soul Eyes2Soul, Pexels

New Ohio residents with a valid driver license from another US state can usually swap it for an Ohio license without the knowledge or road test, after a vision screening. This guide covers the deadline, the documents to bring, and what changes if your license is expired, from another country, or you are only in Ohio temporarily.

Key facts

• Deadline: the Ohio BMV says to transfer your out-of-state license within 30 days of becoming an Ohio resident. Residency starts when, for example, you take a job, sign a lease, buy a home or enroll children in school.
• Tests: a valid, unexpired photo driver license from any US state, territory or possession waives Ohio’s driver exam testing requirements (BMV 2424 and BMV 2430). Expect a vision screening.
• Documents: proof of five things: full legal name, date of birth, legal presence in the US, Social Security number and Ohio street address.
• Expired license or first-time driver: you go through Ohio’s full testing process.
• Foreign license: in most cases you test like a new driver. Temporary residents have extra training rules.

How to transfer an out-of-state license to Ohio

1. Choose your card. You can get a standard card or a compliant (REAL ID) card. Compliant cards need more proof of address.
2. Gather your documents using the BMV’s Acceptable Documents List (see below).
3. Go to a BMV deputy registrar license agency with your current license. The Ohio Department of Public Safety local office finder lists them by county.
4. Pass the vision screening. Bring your glasses or contacts if you drive with them.
5. Pay the fee. Check the current amount with the Ohio BMV. Hand in your old license if asked.
6. Move your vehicle over too. Out-of-state titles go to a County Clerk of Courts Title Office, not the BMV. You need the Ohio title before you can register the car and get Ohio plates.

What documents do I need for an Ohio license?

What you prove	Examples from the BMV lists
Full legal name, date of birth, legal presence	US birth certificate, valid US passport or passport card, certificate of naturalization or citizenship, permanent resident card (I-551)
Social Security number	Social Security card (a metal card is not accepted), W-2, 1099, or a pay stub showing your full SSN
Ohio street address	Utility bill, bank or credit card statement (issued within the last 12 months), current insurance policy or card, mortgage statement, college letter, tax return
Name change	Marriage certificate, divorce decree or court-ordered name change. These link each name back to your identity document.

• Standard card (BMV 2424): one document showing your name and Ohio street address.
• Compliant card (BMV 2430): two address documents from different sources. Two utility bills from two different companies count.
• Dependent children and spouses: if you live with a parent or spouse, you can use form BMV 2336. It is a certified statement of residency, signed in front of a BMV official.
• Non-US citizens: if you use a foreign passport with a visa, or an employment authorization card, you also need a supplemental USCIS document showing your dates of legal presence.

Moving to Ohio with a foreign license

In most cases a license from another country does not waive Ohio testing. Plan for the vision screening and the knowledge test, then a temporary instruction permit (TIPIC), then the two-part road test. See the knowledge test, the maneuverability test and the driving test.

• Reciprocal countries: Ohio law lets the Registrar waive the exam if you hold a valid license from a country with a reciprocal arrangement. The list is short. Ask the Ohio BMV whether your country is on it before you book tests.
• Language: you can take the knowledge test in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Japanese, Russian, Somali or Spanish. For other languages you can ask for an interpreter. The skills test is given only in English, and translators are not allowed (Ohio Traffic Safety Office resource sheet, 10/24).
• For the national picture, see driving in the US on a foreign license.

Limited term licenses for temporary residents

If you are in the US on temporary legal status, Ohio issues a limited term license. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office announced new rules from June 30, 2025. Limited term applicants must:

• take the full driver training course: 24 hours of classroom and 8 hours behind the wheel
• give the BMV the 50-hour affidavit when they test

Some exemptions exist, for example for certain reciprocal countries. These rules changed recently, so check your situation with the Ohio Traffic Safety Office or the BMV.

The 50-hour affidavit (BMV 5791) has a special rule for limited term applicants: the adult who supervises your driving must hold a valid Ohio driver license and must be the same adult who signs. See the Ohio 50-hour affidavit and Ohio driver training.

Common questions

How long do I have to get an Ohio license after moving?

The Ohio BMV says 30 days from when you establish residency.

Do I have to retake the driving test when I move to Ohio?

Not if your US license is valid and unexpired. You will still take a vision screening.

My out-of-state license expired. What now?

Ohio treats you like a new driver, so you take the full testing process. Start with the Ohio learner guide.

I am 16 with a license from another state. Can I transfer it?

Usually yes, if it is valid and unexpired. Ask the BMV what it needs from you. Once you hold an Ohio license, Ohio’s probationary rules for under 18s apply to you.

I only have a learner’s permit from my old state.

A permit is not a license. Check with the Ohio BMV before you drive on it, and see driving with a learner’s permit in another state.

What car insurance do I need in Ohio?

The minimum liability cover is:

• $25,000 for injury or death of one person
• $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people
• $25,000 for property damage

These figures are from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office resource sheet (10/24). See car insurance for new drivers.

Moving between other states? See transferring your license to a new state.

Sources

• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Acceptable Documents List, Standard DL-ID Card (BMV 2424, 5/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Acceptable Documents List, Compliant DL-ID Card (BMV 2430, 5/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Fifty Hour Affidavit (BMV 5791, 9/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Traffic Safety Office, “Curriculum Resource Sheet: TIPIC, Ohio Driver License and Maneuverability Skills Test (10/24)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “New Ohio Residents” (bmv.ohio.gov), search-result extract only
• Ohio Traffic Safety Office, “Limited Term License Law Update” (otso.ohio.gov), search-result extract only
• Ohio Revised Code, “Section 4507.101” (codes.ohio.gov), search-result extract only

Photo: Roseohioresident, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you are 21 or older, failed your first Ohio driving test and have not taken driver training in the last 12 months, you must finish an abbreviated adult driver training course before you try again. This guide covers the two versions of the course, the 24-hour affidavit and what to bring to your retest.

Key facts

• Who: Ohio license applicants aged 21 or older who fail the driving test and have had no driver training in the past 12 months (Ohio Traffic Safety Office leaflet DTO 0224, 7/25).
• When: after the failed attempt and before the next one. The test has two parts, maneuverability and driving, and failing either part counts.
• What: a 4-hour class (online or in person), then either 4 hours behind the wheel with a licensed instructor or 24 hours of driving with a licensed driver aged 21 or older.
• Paperwork for the 24-hour route: the notarized Twenty-Four Hour Affidavit, BMV 5789.
• Under 21? Different rules apply. See Ohio driver training for under 21s.

The two versions of Ohio’s abbreviated adult course

	Option A: instructor	Option B: 24 hours practice
Class	4 hours, online or in person	4 hours, online or in person
Driving	4 hours behind the wheel with a licensed instructor	24 hours with a licensed driver aged 21 or older
Daily limit	Set by the school	No more than 4 hours of driving per day
Proof for the BMV	Certificate of completion from the school	BMV 5789 affidavit, signed in front of a notary
Best for	Faster finish; a professional pinpoints why you failed	Lower cost if you have a willing licensed driver

Both versions start with the 4-hour class at a licensed Ohio driver training school. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office lists licensed schools on its “Find A School” page at drivertraining.ohio.gov.

How to complete the BMV 5789 Twenty-Four Hour Affidavit

1. Log every session. The form’s second page is a log: date, supervising driver’s name, their license number and state, start and end times (with a.m. or p.m.) and total time per session. You can use the RoadReady Ohio app instead of the paper log.
2. Keep to 4 hours a day. The affidavit says you completed 24 hours without driving more than 4 hours on any day. Plan on at least six separate days.
3. Fill in your details. Name, temporary instruction permit (TIPIC) number, address and an email or phone number.
4. Sign in front of a notary. You, the permit holder, swear to the hours. The notary completes and seals the form.
5. Bring it to your retest. The form is submitted to the BMV before your second or later attempt.

Falsifying the affidavit is punishable by a fine, imprisonment or both under Ohio Revised Code 2921.11, as the form states.

When you don’t need the course or the affidavit

• If you completed driver training within the last 12 months, the requirement does not apply (DTO 0224).
• If you completed at least 4 hours behind the wheel with a licensed Ohio driver training school in the last 12 months, BMV 5789 says you can give a copy of your certificate of completion instead of the affidavit.

Use the course to fix what failed you

• Failed the cones? Spend practice time on the Ohio maneuverability test: forward through the box, around the point cone, then reverse back through. Points come off for stopping to check, restarting, bumping cones and not finishing parallel. Running over or knocking down a cone is an automatic fail.
• Failed on the road? Ask your supervisor or instructor to drive the kind of roads near your exam station and call out the faults you make. See Ohio driving test: route, scoring and vehicle check.
• Language: the Ohio skills test is given only in English, and translators are not allowed (Ohio Traffic Safety Office resource sheet, 10/24). Practice following spoken directions in English.

Is Ohio changing the adult course? (H.B. 463)

A bill in the Ohio General Assembly, House Bill 463, would write the abbreviated adult course into law and expand it, mainly by adding behind-the-wheel hours. As of November 2026 it had not been confirmed as enacted. Until a change takes effect, the 4 + 4 or 4 + 24 versions above apply. Check the Ohio Traffic Safety Office before you book a course in case the rules have changed.

Common questions

I failed my Ohio driving test at 22. Do I have to take a course?

Yes, unless you completed driver training within the last 12 months. Finish one of the two course versions before your next attempt.

Can I take the 4-hour class online?

Yes. DTO 0224 says the class can be online or in person. Pick a licensed Ohio driver training school.

Who can supervise my 24 hours?

A licensed driver aged 21 or older. The log asks for their license number and state.

Can I do all 24 hours over one weekend?

No. You cannot drive more than 4 hours a day, so 24 hours takes at least six days.

Can I log the 24 hours on my phone?

Yes. BMV 5789 accepts the RoadReady Ohio app as well as the paper log.

Do I need the course again if I fail a second time?

Check with the Ohio BMV or your driver training school before you rebook. Ask about the waiting period between attempts at the same time.

Does the requirement apply if I failed only the maneuverability part?

Yes. Failing either part of the test counts as a failed attempt.

Back to the full Ohio learner driver guide.

Sources

• Ohio Traffic Safety Office, “Are you over 21? (DTO 0224, 7/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Twenty-Four Hour Affidavit (BMV 5789, 9/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Traffic Safety Office, “Curriculum Resource Sheet: TIPIC, Ohio Driver License and Maneuverability Skills Test (10/24)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Legislative Service Commission, “H.B. 463 analysis, June 2026” (legislature.ohio.gov), search-result extract only

Photo: Raymond Wambsgans, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ohio requires younger new drivers to complete driver training at a licensed driver training school before taking the road test. This guide is for Ohio learners under 21 and their parents: who needs the course, what it involves, how to pick a school and how it fits with your 50 logged hours.

Key facts

• Driver training in Ohio has two parts: classroom instruction (in person or online, depending on the school) and behind-the-wheel lessons with a licensed instructor. The course is 24 hours of classroom or online instruction plus 8 hours of driving with an instructor. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office regulates the schools.
• The age range covered by the requirement has changed recently and now reaches beyond under 18s. If you are 18 to 20, check whether it applies to you before you book a road test.
• Training sits alongside the 50 supervised hours on BMV 5791 (at least 10 at night). It doesn’t replace them.
• Older adults who fail a test may need a separate, shorter course. See Ohio abbreviated adult driver training.

Do I need driver’s ed in Ohio if I am 18, 19 or 20?

Yes. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office now applies driver training to applicants under 21, not just under 18. Older guides online often still say only under 18s, so don’t rely on them. Applicants 18 to 20 are outside the teen graduated licensing law, so they do not have the six-month permit wait.

What the Ohio driver training course involves

Part	What happens	Tip
Classroom (in person or online)	Traffic law, signs, hazards, impaired driving, sharing the road	Take it before or early in your permit period so it helps with the knowledge test and practice
Behind the wheel	Lessons with a licensed instructor in a dual-control car	Book early; schools get busy before summer
Supervised practice (separate)	50 hours with an eligible adult, logged on BMV 5791	Spread it over months, not weeks

How to choose a driver training school in Ohio

1. Check it is licensed. Only training from a licensed school counts. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office lists licensed schools.
2. Ask about the online classroom. Confirm the online provider is approved, not just any online course.
3. Ask about scheduling. How soon can you start behind-the-wheel lessons, and how are they spread out?
4. Ask what you get at the end. You need proof of completion for the road test. Ask the school how it is issued and what to bring.
5. Ask about test help. Some schools let you practice the maneuverability cones in their car.
6. Compare full prices. Ask what is included: fuel, extra lessons, rescheduling fees.

Getting the most out of your lessons

• Drive with your parent or supervisor between lessons and practice what the instructor covered.
• Ask the instructor for an honest view on whether you are ready to test.
• Write down the habits the instructor corrects. Those are exactly what the Ohio road test examiner looks for.

Common questions

Can I take Ohio driver’s ed online?

The classroom part can be done online through an approved provider. The behind-the-wheel part is in a car with a licensed instructor.

I am 19. Do I really need driver training in Ohio now?

Yes, if you are applying for your first Ohio license before 21. Confirm any exemption that may apply to you with the Ohio Traffic Safety Office before booking a test.

Do driving lessons count toward my 50 hours?

No. The 50 supervised hours are in addition to driver training, so lesson time does not go on the BMV 5791 log.

When should I start driver training?

Early in your permit period. It gives you a base before most of your supervised hours.

I moved to Ohio with a license from another state. Do I need driver training?

Transferring a valid license follows different rules. See moving to Ohio.

Back to the full Ohio learner driver guide. Supervision rules: Ohio TIPIC rules.

Sources

• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Fifty Hour Affidavit (BMV 5791, 9/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)

Photo: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This checklist is for Ohio permit holders under 21 and the parent or adult who supervises their practice. It explains the Ohio BMV Fifty Hour Affidavit (form BMV 5791): how many hours you need, what counts as night driving, who can sign, and how to keep the log so it is accepted.

Key facts about the Ohio 50-hour affidavit

• Form: BMV 5791, “Fifty Hour Affidavit” (current revision dated 9/25).
• Hours: at least 50 hours of actual driving, including 10 hours at night. The log page breaks this down as 40 hours of daytime driving and 10 hours of nighttime driving.
• Night: from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before the next sunrise.
• Who signs: an “eligible adult”, meaning the permit holder’s parent, guardian or custodian, or a person over 21 acting in loco parentis.
• Notarized: the eligible adult signs in front of a notary public.
• Log options: the paper log on page 2 of the form, or the RoadReady Ohio app.

Who can sign the Ohio 50-hour affidavit?

The form says the eligible adult is either:

• the parent, guardian or custodian of the applicant, or
• a person over the age of 21 who acts in loco parentis (in place of a parent).

The eligible adult attests that the permit holder has truthfully recorded the hours. The adult who signs does not have to be the only person who supervised every drive: the log has a column for each supervising driver’s name and Ohio driver license number.

Exception: if the permit holder is applying for a limited term (non-renewable, non-transferable) driver license, the adult who supervises the driving must hold a valid Ohio driver license and must be the same adult who completes the affidavit.

What goes in the supervised driving log

Each row of the BMV 5791 log asks for:

Column	What to write
Date	The day of the drive
Supervising licensed driver name	Who sat with you
Supervising adult Ohio driver license #	That person’s license number
Start and end time	Include a.m. or p.m.
Total day time	Hours and minutes
Total night time	Hours and minutes

Fill it in after every drive. Rebuilding weeks of entries from memory is how logs end up with gaps or totals that don’t add up.

How to count night hours correctly

Night time on the Ohio form starts half an hour after sunset and ends half an hour before sunrise. A drive that starts at dusk can be part day and part night. Split it across the two columns using the actual sunset time for that date.

Worked example

Say sunset is at 7:00 p.m. and you drive from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Night time begins at 7:30 p.m. Log 45 minutes as day time (6:45 to 7:30) and 45 minutes as night time (7:30 to 8:15).

Checklist: getting the affidavit signed

1. Total the day column and the night column. Check you have at least 40 day hours and 10 night hours, 50 in all.
2. Fill in page 1: permit holder’s name, temporary instruction permit ID number and address, then the eligible adult’s name, license or ID card number, relationship, address and contact details.
3. Don’t sign yet. The eligible adult signs in front of the notary.
4. Take the form and photo ID to a notary public. Notaries are often available at banks and shipping stores; call ahead.
5. Keep the notarized original with the documents you will take to the BMV.

Paper log or the RoadReady Ohio app?

BMV 5791 says supervised hours can be logged by hand on the form or with the RoadReady Ohio app. The app saves you adding up columns. Whichever you use, the affidavit page still needs the eligible adult’s notarized signature.

Don’t pad the hours

The form warns that falsifying the affidavit is punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment under Ohio Revised Code sections 2921.21 and 4507.21. Beyond the legal risk, the hours are your real preparation for the maneuverability test and the road test.

Make the 50 hours count

• Spread hours across weather, traffic levels and road types, including freeway merging and rain or snow (winter and bad-weather driving).
• Practice the cone maneuver regularly, not just the week before the test.
• Do some night drives on unlit roads, not only in town.

Common questions

Can a grandparent sign the Ohio 50-hour affidavit?

Only if they are the teen’s guardian or custodian, or a person over 21 acting in loco parentis. Otherwise the parent, guardian or custodian signs. A grandparent can still supervise drives and appear in the log.

Does the affidavit have to be notarized?

Yes. The form has a notary section, and the eligible adult swears to it in front of the notary.

Do driver training hours count toward the 50?

No. Ohio’s teen guidance says the 50 hours are in addition to driver training, so log only practice with your supervisor.

What counts as night driving in Ohio?

From half an hour after sunset to half an hour before the next sunrise.

Can I use the RoadReady Ohio app instead of the paper log?

Yes. The form names the app as an alternative to the paper log.

Who needs the 50-hour affidavit?

Every applicant under 21 completes it before the road test, including 18, 19 and 20 year olds. Ohio Revised Code 4507.21 requires the affidavit for all applicants under 21. See the supervised driving hours by state comparison too.

Back to the full guide to learning to drive in Ohio. Not sure who can sit with you? See Ohio TIPIC supervision rules.

Sources

• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Fifty Hour Affidavit (BMV 5791, 9/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)

Photo: DAVID Mercado, Pexels

This explainer is for Ohio learners thinking about taking the BMV knowledge test online from home rather than at a BMV location. It covers what to check before choosing the remote option, how to set up so the attempt isn’t wasted, and what you still have to do in person afterward.

Key points

• The online test covers the same material as the in-person written test of Ohio’s laws and signs.
• Eligibility rules, attempt limits and supervision requirements for the online test are set by the Ohio BMV and can change, so read the current rules on the BMV’s Driver License page before you start.
• Passing online doesn’t put a permit in your hand. You still go to a BMV deputy registrar with your documents to get the Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC).
• The vision screening is part of the license exam, so expect it in person.

Online or in person: which should you pick?

Choose online if	Choose in person if
You have a quiet room, a reliable device and a stable connection	Your internet or device is unreliable
You meet the BMV’s current online eligibility rules	You are unsure whether you qualify
A parent or other required adult can be present for the whole attempt, if the rules call for one	No eligible adult can be with you
You want to avoid travel for the test itself	You want to do the test and the permit purchase in one trip

The online route may limit how many attempts you get in a set period. If you fail online, you may still be able to retest in person. Check the current limits before your first attempt so you don’t use them up.

Before you start the online test

1. Read the current online test rules on the Ohio BMV Driver License page: who can take it, attempt limits and whether an adult must be present.
2. Study the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws first. Treat the online test as the real test, not a practice run. Use the Ohio knowledge test study plan.
3. Charge the device and close every other app and tab.
4. Pick a quiet room with no notes, phones or other people helping. Remote tests usually treat outside help as cheating.
5. Have any ID or details the system asks for ready before you log in.

After you pass online

1. Gather proof of the five elements on the BMV Acceptable Documents List: full legal name, date of birth, legal presence, Social Security number and Ohio street address.
2. Decide on a standard or compliant (REAL ID) card. Compliant needs two address documents from different sources; standard needs one. See REAL ID and your first license.
3. Complete form BMV 5745. You sign it in front of the processing employee, so don’t sign at home.
4. Under 18? Bring a parent, guardian or custodian to cosign.
5. Visit a BMV deputy registrar promptly. Check how long the BMV treats an online pass as valid.

Common questions

Is the Ohio online permit test easier than the in-person test?

No. It tests the same laws and signs. The difference is where you sit, not what you need to know.

Can I use the Digest during the online test?

Treat it as closed book. Using notes or help breaks the rules of a supervised test and risks your result.

How many times can I take the Ohio test online?

The BMV limits online attempts. Check the current limit on its Driver License page; the permit test by state table also notes Ohio’s online rule.

Do I still need to go to the BMV?

Yes. You apply for the TIPIC in person with your documents and BMV 5745.

What if my connection drops mid-test?

Contact the Ohio BMV and ask how an interrupted attempt is counted before you start a new one.

Back to the full Ohio learner driver guide. Next step after the permit: who can supervise you on a TIPIC.

Sources

• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Request for Statement of Physician (BMV 2310, 11/23)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Acceptable Documents List: Standard DL-ID Card (BMV 2424, 5/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Acceptable Documents List: Compliant DL-ID Card, Spanish edition (BMV 2431, 5/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Application Information for Standard and Compliant Ohio Driver License or ID Card (BMV 5745, 12/25)” (dam.assets.ohio.gov)