Ohio Online Driver Education and Ohio Licensing Procedures

We’re very happy that you’re starting the process of applying for your Ohio learner’s permit or first Ohio driver license! Ohio has a graduated driver license program for Ohio drivers ages 15-18, and there are a few things we would like you to know to make sure that applying for your Ohio driving license is as trouble-free an experience as possible. So let’s jump right in.

Ohio Learner’s Permit

When you turn 15 and a half, you can apply for an Ohio Temporary Instruction Permit, otherwise known as an Ohio Learner’s Permit. With this license, the following restrictions apply:

• For the first 6 months you must practice driving with your parent, guardian, or driving instructor
• After 6 months, you can also practice with a licensed driver who is at least 21
• All passengers must wear seatbelts
• Be sure to carry your Ohio Temporary Permit with you at all times!

When you’re ready to apply, you’ll need to bring proof of age and identity; your social security number; and a parent/guardian to sign the permit application.

If you’ve got all of the necessary materials, head on down to your local Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) with your parent or guardian and submit your application. Then, you’ll have to take a vision test, as well as a “knowledge test():http://bmv.ohio.gov/dl_new_driver.stm%22%20%5Cl%20%22tog..) If you pass, then congratulations—you’ve just earned your Ohio Temporary Permit!

Once you’ve held your Ohio Temporary Permit for 6 months and have met a few more requirements, you’ll be ready for the next step in the Ohio Graduated License Program, the Ohio Driver License.

The Ohio Provisional Driver License or Ohio Full Driver License

You can apply for your Ohio Probationary Driver License once you’ve held your Ohio Temporary Instruction Permit for 6 months and have met the following requirements:

• Complete 8 hours of driving instruction
• Complete 24 hours of class instruction in an approved Ohio driver education course
• Practice driving for 50 hours total – 10 of these hours must be at night
• Your parent/guardian will have to certify your “documented practice hours()”:http://publicsafety.ohio.gov/links/bmv5791.pdf

As soon as you satisfy these requirements, head on down to your local Ohio BMV. You’ll have to overcome one final obstacle: the dreaded Ohio road skills test! If you pass, then reward yourself for making it to this point. You’ve just earned your Ohio Probationary Driver License!

Ohio Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties

You still have just a little father to go to earn your full Ohio driver’s license. Until then, there are a few restrictions for your Ohio Probationary Driver License, depending on your age:

• Ohio teen drivers under 17 can’t carry more than 1 passenger that is not family (unless accompanied by a parent/guardian of course)
• All passengers between the ages of 4 and 15 must be properly restrained
• If you’re 16, you may not drive between the hours of 12AM and 6AM
• If you’re 17, you may not drive between the hours of 1AM and 5AM
• The exception for the driving curfew is in case of: (1) an emergency, (2) driving to/from a school sanctioned activity, and (3) driving to/from your place of employment (must have written documentation from your employer)

On the bright side, once you turn 18, these restrictions are removed. Freedom!

Ohio Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws

As an Ohio teen driver, there’s no bigger threat you’ll face than drunk drivers. It’s important for you to learn the Ohio drunk driving laws (and obey them religiously). Like most states, Ohio has a Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking, and if you are convicted of an Ohio DUI or Ohio DWI, you face additional penalties to those listed below.

Upon your first conviction of an Ohio DUI, you’ll face the following penalties:

• License suspension from 6 months to 3 years
• Or Driver Intervention Program (3 days)
• Ohio License reinstatement fee $450
• Jail 3 days to 6 months
• Fine from $250 to $1,000

And of course, further Ohio DWI and DUI convictions will result in more severe penalties, up and including jail time, Ohio license suspension or even Ohio license revocation. As you can see, it’s something we take very seriously – don’t do it!

Ohio Auto Insurance Financial Responsibility Laws

Once you finally get your coveted Ohio Learner’s Permit or Ohio Provisional driver’s license, you’re ready to drive—or so you may think. Because accidents happen to even experienced drivers, Ohio drivers are required by law to be covered by “liability insurance()”:http://bmv.ohio.gov/fr_laws.stm. The minimum liability insurance coverage is:

$12,500 bodily injury for one person
$7,500 for property damage per accident
$25,000 bodily injury two or more people

It’s no joke. If you are in an accident and found to be driving without Ohio mandatory liability insurance, your Ohio license could be suspended for 90 days to 2 years, and you may face Ohio license plate reinstatement fees, as well as other penalties.

Ohio Cell Phone Laws

We acknowledge how important it is for young people to stay in touch with friends, but studies show that cell phone use, especially text messaging, contributes to accidents. Currently, it is illegal for Ohio teen drivers to use cell phones while driving only in Brooklyn, North Olmstead, and Walton Hills. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful elsewhere as well!

Ohio Online Driver Education

Ohio teen drivers are required to take an Ohio approved driver education course. You can find more information on “approved Ohio online driver education courses()”:http://bmv.ohio.gov/county_lst.stm at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles search page.