Rules & Regulations

Ohio's Licensing System, Under the Age of 18

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

• Be at least age 15 years and six months old.
• Provide proof of full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number (if assigned), Ohio residency, and United States citizenship.
• Present parent or guardian identification (driver license or ID card) to co-sign for the TIPIC.
• Pass both the knowledge test and vision screening. Applicants who fail the knowledge test must wait at least 24 hours before retesting. There is no limit on how many times an applicant may take the knowledge test.

To find a driver exam station near you visit https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/local-office.

Once you have received your TIPIC, you must meet the following requirements prior to obtaining a driver license:

• Complete a driver education class at a licensed driver training school, which includes 24 hours of classroom or online instruction and 8 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.
• Complete 50 hours of driving experience with a parent, guardian or custodian. Ten of these hours must be at night.
• Hold the TIPIC for at least six months. Permits are valid for a year and are renewable after. That's because six months is the bare minimum. Best practice is to hold the permit for a full year to ensure maximum driving practice in all seasons and weather conditions.

Once you have obtained a driver license the following protections remain in place during the first 12 months to help you gain additional experience:

• Nighttime Protections: You must be accompanied by a parent or guardian between midnight and 6 a.m., unless you 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.
• Passenger Protections: You may only drive with one non-family member passenger, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Occupant Protections: Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seat belt.
• Distracted Driving Prevention: You may not use any mobile devices while driving.

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. 

After 12 months of holding a license under age 18, the following protections remain in place:

• Nighttime Protections: You must be accompanied by a parent or guardian from 1-5 a.m. unless you 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.
• Occupant Protections: You may drive with as many passengers as seat belts in the vehicle. Everyone must wear a seat belt.
• Distracted Driving Prevention: You may not use any mobile devices while driving.

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.

Ohio's Licensing System, Over the Age of 18

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

• Provide proof of full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number (if assigned), Ohio residency, and United States citizenship. Visit The BMV Acceptable Documents page for more.
• Pass both the knowledge test and vision screening. Applicants who fail the knowledge test must wait at least 24 hours before retesting. There is no limit on how many times an applicant may take the knowledge test.

To find a driver exam station near you visit https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/local-office.

Once you have received your TIPIC, you must meet the following requirements prior to obtaining a driver license:

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

At AAA Driver Education, we believe it's important for all new drivers to receive driver education and training. We currently officer the full 24-hour course for new drivers of all ages, along with a range of options for behind-the-wheel training. View our packages for additional information.

Those 18 years-old or older, who have taken the full course (24 hours of classroom education and 8 hours of behind-the-wheel training) within the last year, do not need to take the adult abbreviated course, if they fail their road/maneuverability test.

For additional information on the licensing process for drivers of all ages, visit the Ohio BMV website.