Ohio Drivers License Rules

Under the age of 18

To obtain a temporary instruction permit identification card (TIPIC), the following requirements must be met:

• Must be at least age 15 years and six months old
• Must provide proof of full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number (if assigned), Ohio residency, and United States citizenship
• The applicant's parent or guardian must present identification (driver license or ID card) to co-sign for the TIPIC
• Completed 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
• Completed at least 50 hours of in-car practice (10 at night) with a parent or legal guardian
• Pass both the knowledge test and vision screening

Once you have received your TIPIC, you must obey these restrictions until you are 18 years old:

• During the first 12 months, you can not operate a vehicle from midnight to 6 AM unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, are driving to or from work with documentation from your employer, or are driving to or from a school-sponsored event or religion event with documentation.
• After the first 12 months, you can not operate a vehicle from 1-5 AM unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, are driving to or from work with documentation from your employer, or are driving to or from a school-sponsored event or religion event with documentation.
• You cannot operate a vehicle with more than one non-family member as a passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

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 you for six months or until you reach age 17. Multiple traffic convictions before your 18th birthday may result in the requirement of a Juvenile Driver Improvement Program or a license suspension. For alcohol-related convictions, the driver's license will be suspended for at least six months.

To obtain a drivers license, the following additional requirements must be met:

• Must hold the TIPIC for at least six months

Over the age of 18

No driver education is required unless you do not pass the first attempt at the maneuverability or road portion of the driving test. If you do not pass, you will be required to take an abbreviated adult driver training course before attempting the driving test for a second time. The course will consist of one of the following:

• A 4-hour in-person or state-approved online course followed by 4 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor
• A 4-hour in-person or state-approved online course followed by 24 hours of driving with a licensed driver 21 years of age or older (no more than four hours of driving allowed per day) and the completion of the Twenty-Four Hour Affidavit

Conviction of traffic offenses may result in the requirement of an Adult Remedial Program or a license suspension. Click here to learn more.