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
- Study the Digest. Focus on the rules of the road and signs, which the knowledge test covers.
- 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.
- 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.
- Get your TIPIC. Complete form BMV 5745 at a BMV deputy registrar. Under 18s need a parent, guardian or custodian to cosign.
- Drive with a qualifying supervisor. See Ohio TIPIC rules and who can supervise.
- Complete driver training if it applies to you.
- Log at least 50 hours (40 day, 10 night). See the Ohio 50-hour affidavit checklist.
- 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.
- Pass the road test. Both parts: the maneuverability test and the on-road driving test.
- 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)