Driver License & ID Cards

Ohio's Real ID First Issuance Renewal Restrictions Non-U.S. Citizens Commercial Driver – CDL Motorcycle/Scooter Mandatory Insurance Identification Cards Other Information Acceptable Documents

Probationary Driver Licensing - Under Age 18

Probationary Driver Licensing – Under the Age of 18

At age 15 years and six months, an applicant may go to any driver exam station to take the knowledge test and a vision screening to begin the temporary permit process. Prior to testing, applicants must provide proof of:

Full legal name
Date of birth
Social Security number (if ever assigned)

Go to our Acceptable Documents page for a full list of identity documents and links to use our interactive process to assist you with what to bring to a deputy registrar agency.

If the applicant has an Ohio identification card, it must be surrendered when a temporary instruction permit identification card (TIPIC) is issued. You can only hold one (1) Ohio credential at a time.

Prior to obtaining a driver license the following requirements must be met:

Driver must complete a driver education class at a licensed driver training school, which includes 24 hours of classroom or online instruction and 8 hours of driving time.
Driver must complete 50 hours of experience with parent, guardian or custodian, which includes at least 10 hours of night driving, in addition to the driver education requirements.
Driver must hold the TIPIC for at least six months.

Knowledge Test and Vision Screening

Applicants must pass both the knowledge test and a vision screening to obtain a temporary instruction permit identification card (TIPIC). The knowledge test is 40 multiple-choice questions about motor vehicle regulations and traffic signs. Applicants must answer 75 percent of the questions correctly to pass.

The knowledge test is available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Russian, Somali, and Spanish. All other languages must use an interpreter. All applicants must be able to understand directions and read traffic signs printed in English.

Once the knowledge test and vision screening are passed, the applicant can proceed to a deputy registrar license agency to purchase a TIPIC within 60 days of passing the test. Applicants must provide proof of:

Full legal name
Date of birth
Social Security number (if ever assigned)
Ohio residency
Citizenship or legal presence

In addition, the applicant’s parent or guardian must present identification (driver license or ID card) to co-sign for the TIPIC.

Go to our Acceptable Documents page for a full list of identity documents and links to use our interactive process to assist you with what to bring to a deputy registrar agency.

Test Failure

Applicants who fail the knowledge test must wait at least 24 hours before retesting. There is no limit on how many times the knowledge test can be taken.

Special Accommodations

If you have special accommodations for knowledge and/or road testing, please contact a local driver exam station.

License Restrictions

You may not operate a vehicle from midnight - 6 a.m. unless:
- Accompanied by a parent or guardian
- Driving to or from work with documentation from the employer (see form BMV 2825)
- Driving to or from an official school-sponsored event or a religious event with appropriate documentation from the event official (see form BMV 2826)
You may not operate a vehicle with more than one non-family member as a passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Driver and all passengers must wear safety belts.
Driver may not use any mobile devices, including cellular phones.

A conviction of a traffic offense within the first six months of having a license may result in a parent or guardian having to accompany the driver for six months or until the driver reaches age 17.

After the First 12 Months of Holding a License and Under Age 18

You may not operate a vehicle from 1 - 5 a.m. unless:
- Accompanied by a parent or guardian
- Driving to or from work with documentation from the employer (see form BMV 2825)
- Driving to or from an official school-sponsored event or a religious event with appropriate documentation from the event official (see form BMV 2826)
Driver and all passengers must wear safety belts.
Driver may not use any mobile devices, including cellular phones.

Multiple traffic convictions before the driver’s 18th birthday may result in a license suspension. For alcohol-related convictions, the driver license will be suspended for at least six months (see Ohio Revised Code 4511.19).

Where Do I Go?

For testing, visit any driver exam station in Ohio.
For issuance, visit any deputy registrar license agency in Ohio.

More Information

Ohio Revised Code: 4507.05, 4507.07, 4507.21, 4507.071, 4511.19

Temporary Permit - Under Age 18

Temporary Permit – Under Age 18

At age 15 years and six months, an applicant may go to any driver exam station to take the knowledge and vision screening to begin the temporary permit process. Prior to testing, applicants must provide proof of:

Full legal name
Date of birth
Social Security number (if assigned)

Go to our Acceptable Documents page for a full list of identity documents and links to use our interactive process to assist you with what to bring to a deputy registrar agency.

If the applicant has an Ohio identification card, it must be surrendered when a temporary instruction permit identification card (TIPIC) is issued.

Prior to obtaining a driver license the following requirements must be met:

Driver must complete a driver education class at a licensed driver training school, which includes 24 hours of classroom or online instruction and 8 hours of driving time.
Driver must complete 50 hours of driving, with at least 10 hours of night driving, in addition to the driver education requirements.
Driver must hold the TIPIC for at least six months.

Knowledge Test and Vision Screening

Applicants must pass both the knowledge test and vision screening to obtain a temporary instruction permit identification card (TIPIC). The knowledge test is 40 multiple-choice questions about motor vehicle regulations and traffic signs. Applicants must answer 75 percent of the questions correctly to pass.

The knowledge test is available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Russian, Somali, and Spanish. All other languages must use an interpreter. Customers must be able to understand directions and read traffic signs printed in English.

Full legal name
Date of birth
Social Security number (if assigned)
Ohio residency
Citizenship or legal presence

In addition, the applicant’s parent or guardian must present identification (driver license or ID card) to co-sign for the TIPIC.

Go to our Acceptable Documents page for a full list of identity documents and links to use our interactive process to assist you with what to bring to a deputy registrar agency.

Test Failure

Applicants who fail the knowledge test must wait at least 24 hours before retesting. There is no limit on how many times the knowledge test can be taken.

Special Accommodations

If you have special accommodations for knowledge and/or road testing, please contact a local driver exam station.

TIPIC Restrictions

Drivers must carry the TIPIC at all times when driving.
If under age 16, drivers must have a parent, guardian or licensed driving instructor in the passenger seat when driving.
If the driver is age 16 or older, driving with any valid licensed driver over the age of 21 in the passenger seat is permitted, except from midnight - 6 a.m., when the driver must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The parent, guardian, or licensed driver in the passenger seat shall not be intoxicated.
All passengers and driver must wear safety belts.

Where Do I Go?

For testing, visit any driver exam station in Ohio.
For issuance, visit any deputy registrar license agency in Ohio.

More Information

Ohio Revised Code: 4507.05

Ohio Administrative Code: 4501:1-1-08, 4501:1-1-09, 4501:1-1-10

Temporary Permit - Over 18 Age

Temporary Permit – Over Age 18

An applicant may go to any driver exam station to take the knowledge and vision screening to begin the temporary permit process. Prior to testing, applicants must provide proof of:

Full legal name
Date of birth
Social Security number (if assigned)

Go to our Acceptable Documents page for a full list of identity documents and links to use our interactive process to assist you with what to bring to a deputy registrar agency.

If the applicant has an Ohio identification card, it must be surrendered when a temporary instruction permit identification card (TIPIC) is issued.

Knowledge Test and Vision Screening

The knowledge test is available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Russian, Somali, and Spanish. All other languages must use an interpreter. Customers must be able to understand directions and read traffic signs printed in English.

Full legal name
Date of birth
Social Security number (if assigned)
Ohio residency
Citizenship or legal presence

Go to our Acceptable Documents page for a full list of identity documents and links to use our interactive process to assist you with what to bring to a deputy registrar agency.

Test Failure

Applicants who fail the knowledge test must wait at least 24 hours before retesting. There is no limit on how many times the knowledge test can be taken.

Special Accommodations

If you have special accommodations for knowledge and/or road testing, please contact a local driver exam station.

TIPIC Restrictions

Once a driver is issued a TIPIC, he or she can practice driving only if accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older.

Where Do I Go?

For testing, visit any driver exam station in Ohio.
For issuance, visit any deputy registrar license agency in Ohio.

More Information

Ohio Revised Code: 4507.05, 4507.11

Ohio Administrative Code: 4501:1-1-10

Abbreviated Adult Driver Training Course

An applicant for an initial driver license, who is age 18 or older and who fails the first attempt at the maneuverability or road portion of the driving test, is required to take an abbreviated adult driver training course before attempting the driving test for a second time.

Options to Take the Abbreviated Adult Driver Training Course

There are four options for the applicant:

A 4-hour in-person class followed by 4 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor with a licensed abbreviated adult driver training school.
A 4-hour state-approved online course followed by 4 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor affiliated with a licensed abbreviated adult driver training school.
A 4-hour in-person class followed by 24 hours of driving with a licensed driver 21 years of age or older.
A 4-hour state-approved online course followed by 24 hours of driving with a licensed driver 21 years of age or older.

Applicants who choose the option for 24 hours of driving with a licensed driver 21 years of age or older cannot complete more than four hours of driving in one day. In addition, applicants who choose this option are required to complete the Twenty-Four Hour Affidavit (form BMV 5789).

Requirements

Before the second attempt at the driving test, the applicant must:

Provide a certificate of completion of an abbreviated adult driver training course.
If applicable, provide a completed and notarized Twenty-Four Hour Affidavit (form BMV 5789).

Where Do I Go?

To find driving schools that offer the abbreviated adult driver training courses, visit Approved Driving Schools.

More Information

If the applicant fails the second attempt at the driving test, he or she is not required to take another abbreviated adult driver training course. The applicant must wait seven days before taking the driving test again.

Ohio Administrative Code: 4501-8

Driving and Skills Test

Schedule a driving skills test ONLINE

Once a driver is confident with their capabilities and all requirements have been met, a road test can be scheduled. To schedule a driving test:

The applicant must present his or her TIPIC, and if under age 18, the applicant must present a driver education certificate. Applicants also must provide a vehicle in good condition for testing. An inspection will be performed before the test begins.

The road test has two parts: driving and maneuverability. During the driving test the following will be performed:

The maneuverability test has two parts:

Forward through markers
Backwards through markers

Maneuverability Test Step One

Drive forward through a 9’ by 20’ box formed by four markers. Measurements are taken from the center of the marker.
Examiner will direct driver to steer to the right or the left of the center marker.
Steer straight ahead and stop when the rear bumper of the car is even with the center marker and generally parallel with the course.

Maneuverability Test Step Two

From a stopped position at the end of step one, driver must back past the center marker.
Straighten the car and back through the box, coming to a stop with the bumper even with the two rear markers and generally parallel with the course.

Before the test is complete, the driver must remove the vehicle from the test area without running over markers or performing any other disqualifying actions. Stopping, bumping markers, misjudgment of stopping distance, and not being parallel with the test area are all deductions from the overall point total. It is an immediate failure if a driver runs over or knocks down a marker, or removes the marker from the designated area.

After passing the driving and maneuverability tests, drivers may go to a deputy registrar to be issued a driver license. The driver must surrender the TIPIC at this time.

Test Failure

Upon failure of a driving or skills test, the applicant must wait seven days before retesting.

Special Accommodations

If you have special accommodations for road testing, please contact a local driver exam station.