Licensing & State Laws

When you turn 15½, you may apply for a temporary permit. You must visit a driver license exam station to take a knowledge and vision test. A list of locations is available from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. When you pass, you will receive a receipt with a confirmation number to present to your local BMV deputy registrar office. You must come with a parent or guardian and bring a state-certified copy of your birth certificate. The deputy registrar will issue you your temporary permit. 

When driving with a temporary permit, you must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or licensed driving instructor seated in the front passenger seat until you turn 16 years old. When you are 16, you may drive with a licensed driver age 21 or older seated in the front passenger seat. You must carry your temporary instruction permit identification card (TIPIC) with you while driving. 

 

You may not drive with more passengers than the total number or originally installed safety belts and all passengers must be wearing safety belts. You may not drive between midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian or legal custodian. You must receive a minimum of 24 hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of behind-the-wheel instruction in driver training. In addition, you must complete 50 hours of driving with a parent or legal guardian, including at least 10 hours of nighttime driving. Your parents or guardians must verify the hours in writing. 

 

When you turn 16 and have had your temporary permit for at least 6 months, you can go to your local BMV to take the driving test. You’ll also need to take a second vision test and provide proof that you completed 50 hours of practice driving time. Once you complete these requirements, you can receive your probationary license. Make sure a parent comes with you to sign the application form or get your parent’s notarized signature on the form ahead of time.

When you have a probationary license, you’re allowed to drive without a parent, but you must follow certain rules to help keep you safe. If you are 16, you may not drive between midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Exceptions are granted for driving to or from work (must have in immediate possession written documentation from the employer), to or from a school activity, or in an emergency. You may not drive with more than one passenger who is not a family member unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or legal custodian. 

 

When you turn 17, you may not drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian with the same exceptions as above. You may not have more passengers than the total number of originally installed safety belts and all passengers must be wearing safety belts. The probationary license is valid until age 18.

 

If you are under 17 and have a probationary license, and if you are convicted of having committed a moving violation during the first 6 months of license issuance, you must then only drive when accompanied by a parent or guardian for the next 6 months or until you turn 17, whichever comes first.  

 

Your temporary permit or probationary license can be suspended for periods of up to one year if you are convicted of multiple moving violations or any alcohol-related offense. If your temporary permit or probationary license is suspended, you must meet a number of requirements before your permit or license can be returned, including completion of a juvenile driver improvement program and retaking the driver’s examination.  Ohio’s “zero tolerance” law makes it illegal for a driver under age 21 to drive with a blood alcohol content level of .02 or greater.

 

At age 18, you are eligible for a full license if you have successfully completed the probationary license requirements.

 

For more information on the licensing process, visit the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles.